GideonVD Posted August 5, 2013 Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 Welcome to the 5th leg of our emigration to Australia, the part were we arrived, settled and eventually got our citizenship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GideonVD Posted August 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 3 August 2013The day finally came, we finished all the packing the previous night, and went to JHB International to have lunch with all the family and also say goodbye to them as well as the couple of friends who insisted on saying goodbye on the airport. We tried to do an early check-in, but no chance... so we went to the Spur and met up with the rest of the family. Had a nice lunch and chatted a bit. As soon as the first set of friends arrived, my folks decided it was better to get things over with, as I think they didn't want to get too much into a crowd and the waiting was killing them a bit. It was a tearful farewell, especially my dad as he rarely becomes emotional. After that it was just meeting the rest of the friend and chatting. Just before 3pm, we decided to say goodbye to the remaining people and family. Again, not the driest of events, but the tears couldn't be helped. We eventually moved onto the check-ins with two trolleys full of luggage. At the Qantas check-in we get a slight surprise when their system says my wife was already in Oz... uhm... I don't think so. After a couple of minutes, and a phone call to Oz Immigration to sort it out, they cleared us and we finally went through. Through security and the lot and then we went to wait in the Shongololo lounge. Enjoyed a little free drinks, snacks and WiFi before we boarded. Was relieved to see the plane was a Qantas one, and not the SAA one. Got very nice seats at the front of the economy group, ended up next to a mother and daugter who were heading home to Oz after visiting family in RSA. We had a lovely chat all the way to Oz. The flight went better than expected Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GideonVD Posted August 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 (edited) 4 August 2013We eventually landed in Sydney. Got off the plane and went to the passport control. Here the visa bug again raised it's head on my wife's passport and we were escorted by immigration personell to one side so they can verify the problem.5 minutes later, all cleared and we went to collect our 4 heavy suitcases. At least the trolleys were free there On to the quarantine area and there things went smoothly, declared my knives and they had no issue, except for the letter opener I bought in Austria a couple of years ago. It was dull double edged, but they had a worry that it could be sharpened to be lethal, so they took it to have it "clasified". Based on their finding, I could lose it or get it back later, we'll see. Checked-in our luggage and got on the bus to Terminal 3 (Domestic Qantas Transfers). There we found the TLife (Telstra) shop and bought mobile and ipad pre-paid SIM's. Had a small lunch as we waited to board.We eventually got on board the flight to Melbourne. This was a bit stressful as there were a couple of small kids in the seats near us, and they constantly moaned and screamed during the entire flight. This was one flight I think my wife and I prayed to go by quickly. Finally landed in Melbourne and got all our luggage. The trolleys here however cost $4 each... ouch. O well. Got the stuff and queued outside at the taxis. We got picked up by a "minibus" and we were taken to our final destination in Richmond. We were too tired to give a damn about the route the driver took, so we ended paying almost $100 . O well, we got to the flats where we are currently renting. First took us a while to hunt down our door and keys, but we eventually got in. Unpacked and found ourselves extremely hungry. PS: We seem to be very close to the West Richmond station, as we constantly hear the train passing and hooting each time it takes off.We headed down Hoddle Street and found a nice little Italian place, ordered some dinner and then returned to try and relax. Checked out the free to air TV channels and also sorted out our WiFi at the rental, as well as both our mobiles and ipads. We hit the sack a little after midnight and slept like the dead... Edited August 5, 2013 by GideonVD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GideonVD Posted August 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 (edited) 5 August 2013Our first new day in Melbourne. We picked up some little things from the Coles Express at the nearby Shell garage the previous evening, this served as our meagre breakfast. We got ready and took a stroll to our CommBank branch that was a mere 11 minute walk away in Victoria street. Got there and wth friendly service we soon had our debit cards and other banking sorted. We stepped out and noticed the Woolies near us, so we went for a gander. Their prices are not as far from what we pay for stuff in RSA, so this was a little more re-assuring. Got back to the rental, and then tried to figure out what to do next. Called the guys at ATO, as their online registration system seems to be on the fritz. They tell me we need additional proof of ID like a medicare card, so we decided to hunt down the nearest office. First went to the nearby West Richmond station and got ourselves a couple of MyKi passes. Went into the CBD via tram and walked to Exhibition street and got there, filled in the form and waited. The friendly person at the desk told us we were slightly early in our application, as our details haven't yet filtered through from DIAC. So they took everything and would register us as soon as we got on their system.The rest of the day we spent walking back to Richmond, even found the Hoffbrau Haus, were we had lunch and I had a beer (I couldn't resist as I was a big fan of that place in Munich). We eventually got back via combination of walking and trams. We went to the Woolies, got some essentials for the night and some for the rest of the week/stay. The bag was a little heavy walking back to the rental, so we bought a stroller trolley from the first and best Jap Store we crossed. Put everything in there and on we went. Much better Spent the rest of the afternoon and evening applying for jobs. Edited August 5, 2013 by GideonVD 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansaPlease Posted August 5, 2013 Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 Jeepers, you're here already?!Welcome to Melbourne!!I love hearing arrival stories. Mine was incredibly non-eventful. Good luck with the job hunt and settling in. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zamunda Posted August 5, 2013 Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 Enjoyed reading your updates.All the very best. Melbourne is a wonderful place.We are moving over in the next few months and something i am dreading is leaving my folks behind. it's going to be very difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GideonVD Posted August 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 Thanks, today its the ATO office and Centrelink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyn Posted August 5, 2013 Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 Welcome to Australia gideon - thanks for sharing your first few days.Melbourne is a lovely city, we enjoy our visits there.Happy settling and exploring. And good luck with the job hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted August 5, 2013 Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 Hi and welcome, if I can help with anything, just PM me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GideonVD Posted August 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 Thanks all Will do Mara, we're looking forward to getting to meet people.My wife is looking forward to go check out the Victoria market today also. We might even get some tickets to watch a movie Friday 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 Welcome G. To yourself and all humans in Aus....NEVER buy at a shop connected to a petrol station. They are waaaayyyy overpriced and rely on people who are too late for regular shops/desperate/stoned/unfamiliar with the area/loaded/gullable/jetlagged/smokers/have pregnancy cravings/etc. Glad you found regular shops to get accustomed to local prices. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toitjie Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 gosh you guys are frightfully organised! Im impressed! Most times when new immigrants land we only hear after a while due to internet etc, but that didnt stop you. Its so nice to read your journal, thanx for sharingIm now so jealous, I really wish we were there too. Enjoy the "getting to know Melbourne" and the shopping, movies and job hunting! It really sounds so exciting! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 Lekker! Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GideonVD Posted August 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 6 August 2013Today was a little more productive. Visited the ATO office in the CBD to register for our TFN's (their online system wasn't working, and we didn't have a printer to print our confirmations). We then had some coffee at Starbuck in the Southern Cross station, checked out the stores in the mall there. Bought some more groceries at the Coles near there. Got everything back to the rental, and then went out to the nearest Centrelink to register, got there and they told us that their systems were unfortunately going down due to maintenance. So we'll need to come back tomorrow, o well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaandPaul Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 Sounds like you guys are taking it in your stride - good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeTMI Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 Welcome to Melbourne guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadySnoo Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 Great to hear from you guys! Keep it up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansaPlease Posted August 6, 2013 Report Share Posted August 6, 2013 (edited) 6 August 2013We then had some coffee at Starbuck in the Southern Cross station, checked out the stores in the mall there. That's right near where I work. Had I know I would have been happy to show you faaar better coffee places than Starbucks Edited August 6, 2013 by HansaPlease 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GideonVD Posted August 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 7 August 2013Today we got some laundry done at the coin laundry around the corner and went to the Centrelink office, where we finally registered and arranged our Job Hunting sessions. We had a stroll through Victoria Gardens and then wandered of to a local Kia reseller, and did something a little naughty... The rain this afternoon was a serious surprise, almost got drenched... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TQO Posted August 8, 2013 Report Share Posted August 8, 2013 Starbucks ... "sigh" Love reading your experiences and well done on getting sorted so quickly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OubaasDik Posted August 8, 2013 Report Share Posted August 8, 2013 7 August 2013Today we got some laundry done at the coin laundry around the corner and went to the Centrelink office, where we finally registered and arranged our Job Hunting sessions. We had a stroll through Victoria Gardens and then wandered of to a local Kia reseller, and did something a little naughty... As long as you weren't caught on CCTV, deny everything ....... The rain this afternoon was a serious surprise, almost got drenched... Well don't let it dampen your spirits. You seem fairly well organised. Glad you're enjoying so far anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GideonVD Posted August 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2013 As long as you weren't caught on CCTV, deny everything ....... Well don't let it dampen your spirits. You seem fairly well organised. Glad you're enjoying so far anyway.Hahaha, can't say too much hey? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GideonVD Posted August 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2013 8 August 2013We went to look at a rental in the Balwyn area. Very nice, really considering it. And the last of our funds finally cleared into our account.Tomorrow we will try relax a bit, maybe our surprise will also arrive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GideonVD Posted August 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2013 10 August 2013Today we were invited for coffee at Mara's place in Sunbury. Met up at the train station and she took us on a scenic drive through Sunbury and her areas. Got to admit, it looked awefully beautiful, quiet and remote. Really looked like a little piece of RSA, like near plots. The houses in some of them are really new and modern, and rentals there work out great for what we need. So no guessing were we have shifted our view to now .Was great meeting Mara and her hubby, and we had lots of fun chatting. Thanks a lot for your hospitality. Can't wait to meet up again soon. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted August 12, 2013 Report Share Posted August 12, 2013 You are both welcome, we enjoyed meeting you as well. I am sure it will be the first of many meetings around the table, after all, you impressed my hubby by saying yes to a Rum, he rarely finds somebody who likes it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.