Biltongboer Posted September 27, 2008 Report Share Posted September 27, 2008 Period: 18 - 24 September 2008 (We landed on 18 September)Thursday night is called Thursday late-night shopping†night. Then the shops stay open till 21h00. On weekdays they normally close at 17h00, or 17h30 at the latest. My friend Dewald took me to Harvey Norman to get a starter pack for my cell phone. (Or, as they say here: “ a stehduhpehk for my mowboilâ€) for $25. When I tried to activate it later, I dialled a number that told me it could only be done during working hours. So much for late night shopping.When I went to sleep that first night, I had a bit of a panic attack. I looked at my wife and the kids, who were already sleeping, and I just wondered what the hell was I doing here in this strange place. I thought about the Chinese people at Kentucky with whom I struggled to communicate, and the cost of things here - multiplied by nearly seven, a hamburger eats away at your credit card in a nasty way. I wondered whether I made the right decision coming here. But this was all just the shock of the first day taking it’s toll. I never, ever, felt like that again since I landed here.The most people I’ve seen in the city during the first few days were of Asian background. You won’t believe how many of them are walking around here, I nearly thought I was still in Singapore. There are also some black people here and there - you literally see each and every culture and nationality here.At the bank, the manager (who is also of Asian origin) asked me from what country in Europe I came from. I had to explain that I was an African - born and bred. Most people here have heard the word "Namibia", but have no idea where it is. It could just as well be Bolivia or Kazahkstan for all they know.I must admit that I was not impressed with Telstra - extremely expensive, and my prepaid card did not even have 3G - it was a2G card. I converted to Three (3) obile later on, and this is a much better choice in my humble opinion.In my hotel room, I wanted to activate my internet connection. The cost was as follows:One hour - $14.99One day (200MB) $22.96One week (1G) $89One month (5G) $299That converts to nearly R2000 for one month’s internet connection! I don’t think so mate...I first made use of the daily tariff (nearly R140) just to get online and get connected to all the fans out there. Dewald also allowed me to use his internet connection at their home, but I couldn’t sit and blog there too much while we were actually visiting with them.If you want some good advice, try getting your hands on Optus Mobile prepaid wireless. You pay $199 for the modem (internet key), and you immediately have 2GB of data available. If you have someone on this side who can organise this for you beforehand, that would give you a nice connection until you have a permanent place to stay where you can get ADSL or whatever you want. You need to provide your passport when you buy this package, he same goes for prepaid phones and starter packs with Three Mobile. (A contract is not easy to get hold of if you don't have proof of residence and bills and stuff to show that you are credit worthy.)This modem looks like a memory stick that you stick into your laptop and whalla - you have the world at your fingertips. There are a lot of things you an do via the internet, like activating your mobile phone, etc, so it’s worth getting online as soon as possible.Thank God for my friend Dewald. It really helps having someone on this side. He even borrowed me $150 at one time when I was struggling to get hold of cash. I realised later that I could withdraw even $1000 from my debit card, and I also paid over some money from my credit card into my Commonwealth Bank account - what a struggle to get that done... You can open an account with Commonwealth Bank while you’re still overseas - they supply you with a BSB number and account number, and you just need to activate the account once you are in Australia. I received my ATM card the day after we landed - no worries mate.We also rented a car from Bayswater car rental (No Birds) - around here they call girls “shielas†or “birdsâ€, and these guys say they don’t advertise on TV using good-looking “birds†- hence the name “No birdsâ€. It costs $210 for a week, and you have to pay a deposit of $250 in addition to that - insurance excess fees. If you do not damage the car, the deposit is refunded. Don’t even start converting to Rands, mate, you’ll kill yerself.Dewald borrowed us his NavMan - a GPS that talks to you while you drive. It tells you where to turn off, and so on. The voice talks in this real Ozzie drawl, saying stuff like: “wheathean the next 200 meaduhs, tuhn leftâ€, of “at the rounduhbouht, take the theahd eggszeatâ€. (This means: “ take a right at the circleâ€)On Saturday morning I went to a men’s breakfast that some church organised. I met Peter Pollock, the great South African Cricket player - in Australia. Can you believe it? I used the NavMan to find Dewald’s house, and from there we went to the breakfast at a golf club. I met a lot of Aussies there. One older guy, Phil, took me under his wing and introduced me to everybody. He introduced guys like “Khobuhs, Mharheahs, and Leehonâ€. Kobus, Marius and Leon. Souf Effrikuns.There were probably more of “us†than there were of “them†- Lot of Boertjies from the states were attending Peter Pollock’s great speech. One of the guys asked me whether I was this Biltongboer guy from the Forum. I wondered whether I should lie about this, because I didn’t know whether I had insulted him at some stage. Chances are good that I have. Luckily he turned out to be the guy called Bloubul. Small world. I am constantly on the lookout for angry forum members - you just never know with these violent South Africans...I met Peter Pollock, we talked and he even prayed for me. What a way to start in Australia - meeting one of the greatest SA sportsmen, and being blessed by him too.We went to the beach at Mullaloo that evening. The sun was setting in the west, just as it does in Namibia - the sun sets over the sea. I looked at the sea and thought about iAfrika far away to the west. So far removed from everything here, in every sense of the word.The beaches are beautiful, and everything has been developed to be family-friendly. We also went to Hillaries, its something similar to the Cape Town Waterfront, just a bit smaller. We Skyped with the family - both grandmothers are online, even though they are both older than electricity. Amazing, this technology, isn’t it?On Sunday we visited King's Park and climbed onto the DNA tower. We also managed to find our way home without the NavMan - victory at last!The City had me in a bit of a shock - I’m from a small town, not too familiar with freeways, highways and motorways. To me, this is a large city - others from Gauteng say it’s a small place. It took a while for me to adjust, but once you’re out of the city, it’s just so great. There are lots of trees everywhere, and parks in every neighbourhood.There are traffic signs on the freeway that have a kangaroo on them - nearly like the kudu signs we have in Namibia. I haven’t killed one yet. Also some signs that say “wildlife crossingâ€. Can you believe it?To be continued... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biltongboer Posted September 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2008 Well, I've just started up the blog, you rooinekke can start reading there from now on.Here is the address:http://theperthlog.blogspot.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Posted September 27, 2008 Report Share Posted September 27, 2008 you rooinekke can start reading there from now onhttp://theperthlog.blogspot.com/Thanks BB,Rooikop (not rooinek) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Springbok Posted September 27, 2008 Report Share Posted September 27, 2008 If you want some good advice, try getting your hands on Optus Mobile prepaid wireless. You pay $199 for the modem (internet key), and you immediately have 2GB of data available.If you have a PR visa, you can get Vodafone mobile broadband internet for $39 per month - it comes with a free USB modem and 5GB data.http://mobilebroadband.vodafone.com.au/mobile-broadband.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted September 27, 2008 Report Share Posted September 27, 2008 (edited) BB,Thanks for the English version, mate.I actually prided myself on being able to understand about 70% of your previous post, written in Afrikaans.You can get a Garmin that talks die Taal in Australie so jy kan ry in jou kar en luister ook.Don't get sucked in to long term internet or mobile phone connections. . . . not at this stage. Do your homework, visit lots of stores getting brochures of their best deals and compare. The difference can be quite surprising.Cheapest is Vodafone . . . by a country mile. They charge calls per second, for one thing. . . not 30 second "blocks" of time.Glad to hear your missus and kids are starting to enjoy Perth, riding buses and going to zoos.I reckon you may well miss South West after a few months, so plan on taking a holiday within the next couple of years to the Outback where the scenery isn't too alien to what you're used to . . . . dry, windswept, ancient.Central Australia would be right up your street. Put that in your "must do" diary. . . . and giving you an idea of how Perth has changed, when I lived there in 1972, there were no Asian migrants at all . . . not one! Edited September 27, 2008 by Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enrica Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 Hi BiultongboerI love your blog, thank you.So glad to hear that you and the family have arrived safe and sound.Ja, Bob is right about the Asian , but then up until the 70's Asian migration was not permiutted by the Austrlian Government - therefor no AsiansCheersEnrica Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryk and Yo Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 Hi BB!Dankie vir sulke great inligting! Help nogals met die senuwees. Ons wou oorspronklik Brisbane toe, het vriende daar maar Manlief het nou werksaanbod aanbod gekry in Perth. Ken nie veel SA ners da nie. Dus moet ons nou begin navorsing doen oor daai deel van Oz (het voorheen net op QSLD gefokus). Wat is jou ervaring van die plek, lyk of julle dit sover geniet? Hulle noem dit mos die 'mees Isolated city' in die wereld noem want dis so ver van alles af?Dis maar 'n moeilike besluit om te neem, soos jy sal weet.GroeteYo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen-in-Brisbane Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 Thanks BB.... I love reading your stories and look forward to more.....Well done!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcK Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 Hey BB.... Great stories... Keep them coming! Glad to hear you and family are starting to find your way round daai groet plek!Enjoy.MC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eva Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 Thanks BB!!Love your stories, will be on the blog to check it out!Keep them coming.... Your fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biltongboer Posted September 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 Hi BB!Dankie vir sulke great inligting! Help nogals met die senuwees. Ons wou oorspronklik Brisbane toe, het vriende daar maar Manlief het nou werksaanbod aanbod gekry in Perth. Ken nie veel SA ners da nie. Dus moet ons nou begin navorsing doen oor daai deel van Oz (het voorheen net op QSLD gefokus). Wat is jou ervaring van die plek, lyk of julle dit sover geniet? Hulle noem dit mos die 'mees Isolated city' in die wereld noem want dis so ver van alles af?Dis maar 'n moeilike besluit om te neem, soos jy sal weet.GroeteYo!Wel, ek het vandag 'n ou ontmoet wat nog nooit in sy lewe buite WA was nie - en hy is nie spyt daaroor nie. So what as jy "isolated" is? Jy is reeds op die beste plek op aarde, hoekom wil jy iewers anders heen gaan? Ek is mal oor die plek - miskien sal Transvalers dit klein en boring vind, ek weet nie, maar hierdie Duitswes woestyngoggatjie like die plek! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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