Popular Post Katrol Posted April 6, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 (edited) Hello everyoneSo we have reached our 5 week mark and would like to share my thoughts and experiences and perhaps this can help someone or if anyone has questions, i am happy to help in any way i can.We are on a 489 Provisional visa meaning that we can apply for PR after two years living in a regional area and one year working in a regional area. We were extremely fortunate for my husband to secure a job in Bundaberg from South Africa (they offered a sponsorship but we decided to go our own route). So we landed and for the first week we stayed with Friends while we searched for a vehicle then drove to Bargara where we have been staying for the last 4 weeks with work collegues of my husband. i secured a rental in Bargara and we will be moving in on Monday and the container should be here within two or so weeks.Nothing, I mean nothing can prepare you for the emotional rollercoaster you experience in the first couple of weeks. I have compared myself to a crazy person that needs to admitted to a kookoo section of the hospital. One minute I am laughing and the next I am balling my eyes out. I miss my family but its not that. I just cant wait to be settled in our own place with our own furniture. My boys are in the most amazing state school. I was stressed about zoning but all the schools i viewed explained that that is only applicable when the schools reach capacity, so i had the pick of the crop. I went to all the schools in the area and picked the most suitable and it has so far been the best decision. My boys have never been so happy. They have been there for 3 weeks and they are sad that its holidays now, haha, what child is sad that its holidays???? Happy children. We are the only South African family there so perhaps we are getting extra attention, lol. I have chatted to a few parents and we even got invited to a birthday party because the dad said i was just such a happy person, wow, i laughed to myself thinking, if only you knew what was going on in my head. We couldnt go because we went through to Brisbane for the weekend. We have also been so fortunate to know people here so we have had helping hands from all over. People are friendly and helpful, except obviously the few grumpies. I have so far embrased life here, sparking conversations in the shops, ALDI MY FAVOURITE, schools, parking lots, you name it. Boys have come home with Aussie slang so now we have started using these words at home as well. So far, Port being a bag is the strangest but we say it anyway. There is a substitute for most food, so dont stress except for Oros. There can never be a substitute for that. Lucky Aldi is having a South African week so I will be getting some rusks and thats all. We are still converting dollars to rands. Specials here are amazing. You can pick up things for really cheap, cheaper than SA and then some things are just ridiculous.It is safe even though i am still a nervous wreck locking up as we go, holding onto my children for dear life, you know the usual. In fact, you do not know how traumitised you are by crime until you are here, its terrible. Its so awesome to stop at the robot and not have 10 beggers at my window or looking out for smash and grabbers. I run on the beach every single day and even though i look over my shoulder every metre, I dont actually have to. Its so lovely to see no litter along the roads as well. That was one of the first things my boys noticed was how clean everything is. When i take the boys to school we drive though farm land then you see the town, then on the way back through the farms i see the beach. It is breathtaking. I am eternally grateful to be here and we are going to make every single minute count. We have not done one outing where it has cost us money as yet, except for food. There is sooooo many free things on offer, its unbelievable. Parks for children are amazing. I do exercises in one of the parks which has exercise machines, free gym...hahaha.Good luck to all that are still busy getting here or are here. Its difficult, emotional and draining but each day feels better and it is worth it. I can make an endless list of positives so far, and its only been 5 weeks. Edited April 6, 2015 by Katrol 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shellykd Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Hi Katrol!Thanks for sharing!!!!This is very encouraging and positive write-up ....Good for you and your kids!!!!!Stay happy ... keep exercising and enjoy the specials!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordy Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Lovely Post. Always good to hear a positive experience. May your life in Australia only get better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alida Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Welcome to Aus !! We've lived in Bargara for our first two months, it's an awesome, beautiful place. Kelly's beach is just the best, especially for kids. Late nights restaurants of Bargara is awesome. Only the summer heat was a bit too much for us. I guess an aircon will help immensely... But it was a very good introduction for us to Ozzie life. My brother and dear friends of ours and another SA guy we got to know also lives in Bargara. If you want beautiful people to contact and chat or braai, PM me, I'll give you their number. You might bump into them at some point. Bargara / Bundaberg is not that big .Do yourself a huge favor and go in the middle of the morning hours, about 10:30-ish, to The Cruz Café in Bundaberg and treat yourself on their nachos and an iced coffee shake. It was a huge hit for us. Miss it sorely ... .If you like something special, search for the Lavender Shop. A little jewel in the middle of the sugar cane plantations. If you see a UTE driving around with a sticker: 'Vans Land Clearing' on it's door or it's hind side, wave - it's my brother . Their Sunday markets have really good specials on fresh fruits and veggies, especially later in the morning. Search the web for the 'Shalom Market' in Bundaberg.Ahh, I almost made myself nostalgic now ... but I love the place we are now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miran Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 We also had the liberty of choosing a school, no zoning! My kids came home after the first day, I couldn't get them to stop talking about how great the school was! We're heading for our 4 month anniversary, but feel we've been here forever! Can't wait for the South African stuff at Aldi (also my favourite shop) but we found fantastic alternatives for most. I do miss our flavoured popcorn ( can't find salt and vinegar spice anywhere) This afternoon we saw a kangaroo hopping between the houses, wow, that is still one of the highlights of my day and one of the really few things reminding me we are not in SA anymore. God luck with your emotional see-saw, but I'm sure the ups will be a lot more than the downs. Australia is definitely my happy place! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 So glad to hear that you are doing well, and enjoying the stress free life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batsie Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Thank you for sharing your experiences, very reassuring to some of us who are counting down to that one-way trip. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peanuts Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Wow, so encouraging. Thank you for sharing your experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Nice one Katrol,And welcome to the Lucky Country! Its going to grow on you big time. Oops, too late! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neels Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Great one Katrol, thanks for the post. Will share this with my missus - we will be arriving in a month or so and it is great to be mentally prepared for what is to come.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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