Hiya all,
Thought I'd update you now that Jetlag is not too bad.
We left UK on Monday 18th and landed in Brisbane on Weds 20th Jan 6.30am. 1st impressions were WOW and it's so hot. Went through customs without any problems even though I had a suitcase full of medication, crisps, glucose tablets and my sons toy guns. It was funny though as when the customs officer was asking have we got anything to declare he only perked up when I said my sons laser toy gun and then Mark had to explain that it wasn't laser just a standard toys'r'us gun that made noises. I was dissapointed as after watching "nothing to declare" back home they didn't open the suitcases or check anything. Wouls have liked to experience that as well....how mad am I.
We were picked up by someone that Marks boss had sent which was a comfort as it made it so easier. Got to the apartment at 7.30 and even though check-in isn't til 2pm they were brill and had readied the rooms for our arrival so we were able to go straight in. Once we wowed our scenery and the apartment we fell asleep.
We've done our Medicare, to get 40 extra points for rental we also got an 18+ card (ID card) which only cost us $24.90 from the QLD Transport Dept. We have put an application for a property in Mango Hill and are still looking at others. It's very strange with the open days for viewing and I've yet to get comfortable with this, hopefully not for long.
Getting a mobile sim was awkward as you need to make sure you have your passort with you, we were told even though we'd purchased a PAYG it was a government regulation to provide either an OZ driving licence or ur passport. As of now I carry our passports all the time whilst we're still sorting things out. I found the queues very relaxed, not like back home where someone would have had a go at the customer services asst by now. Everyone is full of smiles and so easy to talk to.
We found that some things were expensive and it's best to go the markets for fruit, veg and meat. I've got a few reciepts on prices from woolworths, coles etc. which I will add later. What we found to be a cool thing was that there was no pay and display carparks so thats a less expense. We were provided with a rental car for 2 weeks, courtesy of Marks work. Marks comfortable driving round in an automatic but when he tried to get me to have a go needless to say he won't be offering this again very soon. I was ok in the carpark and was comfortable going forwards and back and parking up ( so long as there would be no cars near me). And then Mark decides I'm ok to try the main roads, here I panicked and ended up pooping the kerb. It was quite funny really as the kids were screaming in the back and Mark was shouting as I couldn't understand what the issue was. I think he was worried that I'd ended up damaging the bottom as we had a Nissan Tiida... low wheel so shouldn't really have done that. Luckily the car was ok. We've just put a deposit down on a Suzuki Grand Vitaro which I've been told can happily pop the kerbs.... lol. Car is real nice, 07 plate for $20,000 which we found as a good deal after doing alot of hunting. We've bought a satnav, MIO, which cost us $249 from super cheaps (very similar to Halfords). One thing we are going to buy is a coolbox that can be plugged into the car as definately always need water with you..... it's so hot. But funnily enough we were expecting it to be like UK with the flies etc, there's no flies at all, maybe 1 or 2. We were quite worried about this as I knew my son and Hubby wouldn't be able to cope with this but thank god that isn't the issue.
1 week later and we're still loving it. Still a bit over-whelming and sometimes out of our depth but that's to be expected whilst we settle. Have found that Ozzies love to just chat and you don't rush them. Our car salesman spent 30 minutes talking about the Brisbane Raw (football club), I was so worried incase I stated yawning as football is not my thing although Mark kept encouraging him...lol
Went to the beach, very nice but I preffered the man-made lagoon in Redcliffe. We were there at 9am and it was busy but not UK busy where you're jam-packed like sardines in the water. The atmosphere was lovely and so relaxed. This is why we moved.
To anyone else who's thinking about it I would say go for it. My son who's 7 has already told me that he's not going back to UK and my daughter (14) said on day 2 that we've all become closer. Now to a parent that means everything and we're so glad that we made the right decision.
will keep you updated and hopefully I'll be more able to say I'm driving an automatic without the screaming in the back... lol
xx Satty
