27th February 2011 - 1:15pm
I'm finding the local kids fascinating, although I haven't seen that much of them yet. Ben told me last week that a few kids had come up to the front door to ask if they could pick some flowers from our garden to give to their families, and he had said it would be fine. So when I was hanging the washing out and saw three kids looking at the trees in our backyard from the bush behind our house, with some orange things in their hands that looked like flowers, I assumed they were looking for more. So I went up to them and asked if they wanted some. Whoops. When I looked closer, the kids had slingshots. They said, 'nah, we shootin' birds'. Then the smallest of the three boys proceeded to show me the blue, black and white bird that they'd managed to shoot out of a tree. I asked if they were going to eat it. One said yes, and one said no. That means no, but they thought the answer I wanted to hear was yes.
I've realised being here, that there are going to be things that I am shocked by. But the way of life for the people here is different, and although it's not what I'd do, it's the way these kids have been brought up - hunting and gathering I guess - so I have to respect that, and learn from it.
And the kids here are so excited to see a new face around here. Those three were riding their bikes the next day, and asked me what my name was. Most of the younger ones (they were about 8 I'd say) wave and say hi.
I guess I'll get to know a bit more about them when I'm in the school.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
day twenty four - the Alpa store
27th February 2011 - 12:45pm
Well, so far, things all seem to be going to plan! I decided to sit down and write this while Ben's watching fighting on Austar. It cost $35. So I'd better not interrupt him...
I am getting used to the very relaxed lifestyle - something I am generally not very good at dealing with. I'm the kind of person that finds it hard to relax and do nothing. So instead of doing nothing, I've been doing exercise and housework, cooking, have started doing some cross-stitch of baby things for some friends who are having babies in the next 6 months and watching movies. The exercise, housework and healthy cooking are paying off - I've lost 3kg in my first week here. Actually, that's probably saying more about my lifestyle before I arrived...
There is only one shop in the community, the Alpa store, about the size of the City Supermarket that is (or was) up Liverpool Street in Hobart. So pretty small. It's something I'm really not used to, after having the variety we have at home, and knowing all of the products in the sixteen aisles at Coles from my eleven years of working there. There are fresh fruit and vegies, but only once a week. So everyone rushes to buy them the day the barge arrives. They're a bit hit and miss too. Last week I had the most amazing apricots I've ever had from a supermarket - just like the ones from Mum's tree. This week they were HUGE, but not very nice at all. The lettuce is ok for a couple of days, then it starts turning brown, and within a few days, it's gone. The tomatoes are fantastic, as are the apples. Although the apples are $10.65 for six. Unless you eat the granny smith ones (I always thought they were for cooking) that Ben eats. There are only three types of milk - all the same brand, but full fat, low fat and skinny. There's yoghurt, but not like my usual choice of Yoplait or Nestle. It's Vaalia and that's it. No such thing as sour cream, greek yoghurt, smoked salmon and dips that I'd normally buy. But there is brie and camembert! Although it'll be a treat for the exhorbitant price.
Next is the freezer. Tonnes of frozen meat. The only meat that comes in fresh is ham and bacon. And when you use that, it seems as though it's been frozen and thawed anyway. As much roo as you want. My usual 'fish in a box' is now $11 a box (I never used to buy it unless it was $5 on special) and Ben's favourite chicken kievs are $14 for two. Three types of frozen vegies and one type of frozen chips. Bread comes in fresh, but by the time it arrives it's already about four days old, so we buy the Helga's frozen bread.
Then we move onto the shelves. It's a bit like the old style Coles around 10 years ago, when it was groceries but also specialised in other things. There are clothes, toys and kitchenware. And not a lot of food. We've managed to eat really well though, probably a lot more healthy food than I would've eaten at home. But without the variety. One variety of canned tomatoes, and you're lucky if there are any left. A few random sauces - worcestershire, out of date salad dressing, balsamic vinegar and that's about it. Baked beans but no spaghetti in tins. The whole selection of Natural Confectionary Company lollies. A few chocolate bars, but not my favourite turkish delight, so I haven't had any chocolate since I've been here. Ben said they come in occasionally. No topping - we've been having milo on our icecream. A few random toiletries. Only long grain rice, and spaghetti is the only type of pasta I've seen. Flour in 10kg buckets. The selection on the shelves seems completely random to me, but it's obviously what sells here.
The other thing that I find really interesting is the prices. Some things are cheaper than at home. The apricots and cherry tomatoes are really cheap. But the apples are really expensive. Most of the things on the shelves are really expensive, but I guess you have to think of the freight to get them here. We'll be paying at least $40 for a load of groceries on the barge when we get an account set up with Perkins (the barge company) and start ordering groceries online. Ben said that some things are subsidised (I assume by the government) because they are healthy, to encourage people to eat more healthy food. The softdrink is really expensive, and the shop is full of signs saying 'softdrink is a treat, drink water' and things like that. I'm not sure how well it works, but I've seen heaps of kids drinking juice.
So, it's a very different world here, but exciting all the same.
Well, so far, things all seem to be going to plan! I decided to sit down and write this while Ben's watching fighting on Austar. It cost $35. So I'd better not interrupt him...
I am getting used to the very relaxed lifestyle - something I am generally not very good at dealing with. I'm the kind of person that finds it hard to relax and do nothing. So instead of doing nothing, I've been doing exercise and housework, cooking, have started doing some cross-stitch of baby things for some friends who are having babies in the next 6 months and watching movies. The exercise, housework and healthy cooking are paying off - I've lost 3kg in my first week here. Actually, that's probably saying more about my lifestyle before I arrived...
There is only one shop in the community, the Alpa store, about the size of the City Supermarket that is (or was) up Liverpool Street in Hobart. So pretty small. It's something I'm really not used to, after having the variety we have at home, and knowing all of the products in the sixteen aisles at Coles from my eleven years of working there. There are fresh fruit and vegies, but only once a week. So everyone rushes to buy them the day the barge arrives. They're a bit hit and miss too. Last week I had the most amazing apricots I've ever had from a supermarket - just like the ones from Mum's tree. This week they were HUGE, but not very nice at all. The lettuce is ok for a couple of days, then it starts turning brown, and within a few days, it's gone. The tomatoes are fantastic, as are the apples. Although the apples are $10.65 for six. Unless you eat the granny smith ones (I always thought they were for cooking) that Ben eats. There are only three types of milk - all the same brand, but full fat, low fat and skinny. There's yoghurt, but not like my usual choice of Yoplait or Nestle. It's Vaalia and that's it. No such thing as sour cream, greek yoghurt, smoked salmon and dips that I'd normally buy. But there is brie and camembert! Although it'll be a treat for the exhorbitant price.
Next is the freezer. Tonnes of frozen meat. The only meat that comes in fresh is ham and bacon. And when you use that, it seems as though it's been frozen and thawed anyway. As much roo as you want. My usual 'fish in a box' is now $11 a box (I never used to buy it unless it was $5 on special) and Ben's favourite chicken kievs are $14 for two. Three types of frozen vegies and one type of frozen chips. Bread comes in fresh, but by the time it arrives it's already about four days old, so we buy the Helga's frozen bread.
Then we move onto the shelves. It's a bit like the old style Coles around 10 years ago, when it was groceries but also specialised in other things. There are clothes, toys and kitchenware. And not a lot of food. We've managed to eat really well though, probably a lot more healthy food than I would've eaten at home. But without the variety. One variety of canned tomatoes, and you're lucky if there are any left. A few random sauces - worcestershire, out of date salad dressing, balsamic vinegar and that's about it. Baked beans but no spaghetti in tins. The whole selection of Natural Confectionary Company lollies. A few chocolate bars, but not my favourite turkish delight, so I haven't had any chocolate since I've been here. Ben said they come in occasionally. No topping - we've been having milo on our icecream. A few random toiletries. Only long grain rice, and spaghetti is the only type of pasta I've seen. Flour in 10kg buckets. The selection on the shelves seems completely random to me, but it's obviously what sells here.
The other thing that I find really interesting is the prices. Some things are cheaper than at home. The apricots and cherry tomatoes are really cheap. But the apples are really expensive. Most of the things on the shelves are really expensive, but I guess you have to think of the freight to get them here. We'll be paying at least $40 for a load of groceries on the barge when we get an account set up with Perkins (the barge company) and start ordering groceries online. Ben said that some things are subsidised (I assume by the government) because they are healthy, to encourage people to eat more healthy food. The softdrink is really expensive, and the shop is full of signs saying 'softdrink is a treat, drink water' and things like that. I'm not sure how well it works, but I've seen heaps of kids drinking juice.
So, it's a very different world here, but exciting all the same.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
day seventeen - arrival in Ramo
20th February 2011 - 9:00pm
Next challenge - survival through a cyclone.
After the weekend, we just spent a couple more days lazing around in Darwin. We spent most of the time in our hotel, with the strongest winds and heaviest rain I've ever experienced on Monday night and all day Tuesday. Whereas in Tassie, we get four seasons in one day, in Darwin, it was constant rain. And I mean constant. It didn't stop. All day. And often on Monday night on the TV, the broadcasting was interrupted by a message saying that the weather was too bad so there was no reception. When Ben checked the satellite to see what the weather was like in Ramingining, it became apparent that there was a cyclone heading straight for Darwin - meanwhile the weather in Ramo was perfect. So we turned on the TV to be inundated with cyclone warnings. Every 15 minutes at least, a warning would come up on the screen giving an update of whether it was a 'cyclone watch' or 'cyclone warning'. We decided to head to the supermarket across the road to get some essential supplies - the TV warnings suggested getting our 'cyclone packs' ready. What we saw at the shop was absolutely incredible. NO water on the shelves. NO bread. NO milk. NOTHING left in the deli. It was incredible. People were stocking up on all of the essentials in case the power was cut off or they were caught in their houses for a few days. I've never seen anything like it. Meanwhile, Ben and I picked up the essentials for our last few days in Darwin - soft drink, chocolate to take back to Ramo for his workmates, wine and scotch. We did get a few funny looks.
It was surprising, though, that when the cyclone finally arrived, it was nothing like the two nights before. There was plenty of rain and a little bit of wind, but nothing like I was expecting. Thank goodness. Although we did have an interesting move of rooms. After Darwin airport was closed, our flight to Ramo on Wednesday morning was cancelled. Which meant an extra two nights in Darwin, and a room change. Although it was only about 30 metres to our new room (which thankfully was inside without a roof to hear the rain pounding down on), we got saturated. And I mean saturated! We were completely soaked to our underwear, as were our bags. Not fun! And to make matters worse, after our two trips back to the room to get all of our bags, we had to walk up the four floors because the lifts were out in case there was a power failure. That was our exercise for the week! But we finally made it, and celebrated our achievement with a quiet drink.
After those slight dramas, we made it to our flight, complete with chocolate and day old McDonald's for Ben's workmates, at Fly Tiwi for our flight to Ramo. We were half and hour late leaving because of the weather, but we got a bigger plane which made me happy - not so many bumps. Well, so I thought. Having never been on a small plane before (except for a sea plane years ago, which flies much lower and doesn't have any issues with turbulence because of the clouds), I was a little uptight to say the least. At least Nicki, one of Ben's workmates, was on the flight too, and she was a bit worried. Ben was fantastic. Laughing at me the whole time, and making loud scary noises to scare me. Excellent. This was almost as extreme sport as para sailing. But I'm pleased to say I made it to the end, alive and in one piece. There were a few hairy parts, with some pretty big bumps. And the landing was quite smooth except that they fly in so much faster than I expected!
I was greeted at the airport by about 10 four-wheel drives. Obviously not all for me, or for the four of us passengers. But it was mail day, so everyone was there to pick up all of their important mail. But it meant I got to meet Barry who is the cleaner around Ramo, and who is also Bev's (Ben's Administration Manager) husband, Chris from BulaBula Arts Centre and Jay from the school. And a few other people who's names I already can't remember! We drove in along the dirt road, full of pot holes because of the strong recent rain. There are ditches along the side of the roads that lead into little river-like things that take the water into the bush. But they weren't working quite as planned, so we had quite a few bumps, and driving through metre-deep water on the roads. We went the scenic way, meeting Bev, Rose (who's family are the traditional owners of the land in Ramingining) and Richard from Ben's work, Roy from the Alpa Store (the local supermarket) and seeing the sights. Which are rather limited. The Alpa Store, the Council offices, the bank and Centrelink (which were pretty busy), the Health Centre and the School. We also went to the Visitor's Quarters where Ben has been living for a while - they're fantastic for people visiting, with individual rooms off a shared lounge/dining/kitchen. And the new Visitor's Quarters are even nicer. Then we made it home!
It's a fantastic home! Three bedrooms - one is full of storage things, a study for me to do my degree and our bedroom. A huge kitchen. A great bathroom and laundry. And a MASSIVE recliner chair and lounge. Leather of course. And a 42 inch TV. Ok, so obviously it's not an overly 'happening' place, so there will be a lot of TV watched. We also have Austar, and my Wiivegie patch in no time. Assuming I can manage to get things to grow without being killed in a downpour.
We haven't really achieved much since I've arrived, except unpacking. We've been to the Alpa Store a few times, and I met Bobby (who is a very famous singer and artist from the area), Ronnie (a Councillor) and his wife Mia and Sylvia, both who work at the school. I'll head into the School in the next few days, so I'll have another update soon. But for now, time to upload the photos I'll put on here to go with my story!
Next challenge - survival through a cyclone.
After the weekend, we just spent a couple more days lazing around in Darwin. We spent most of the time in our hotel, with the strongest winds and heaviest rain I've ever experienced on Monday night and all day Tuesday. Whereas in Tassie, we get four seasons in one day, in Darwin, it was constant rain. And I mean constant. It didn't stop. All day. And often on Monday night on the TV, the broadcasting was interrupted by a message saying that the weather was too bad so there was no reception. When Ben checked the satellite to see what the weather was like in Ramingining, it became apparent that there was a cyclone heading straight for Darwin - meanwhile the weather in Ramo was perfect. So we turned on the TV to be inundated with cyclone warnings. Every 15 minutes at least, a warning would come up on the screen giving an update of whether it was a 'cyclone watch' or 'cyclone warning'. We decided to head to the supermarket across the road to get some essential supplies - the TV warnings suggested getting our 'cyclone packs' ready. What we saw at the shop was absolutely incredible. NO water on the shelves. NO bread. NO milk. NOTHING left in the deli. It was incredible. People were stocking up on all of the essentials in case the power was cut off or they were caught in their houses for a few days. I've never seen anything like it. Meanwhile, Ben and I picked up the essentials for our last few days in Darwin - soft drink, chocolate to take back to Ramo for his workmates, wine and scotch. We did get a few funny looks.
It was surprising, though, that when the cyclone finally arrived, it was nothing like the two nights before. There was plenty of rain and a little bit of wind, but nothing like I was expecting. Thank goodness. Although we did have an interesting move of rooms. After Darwin airport was closed, our flight to Ramo on Wednesday morning was cancelled. Which meant an extra two nights in Darwin, and a room change. Although it was only about 30 metres to our new room (which thankfully was inside without a roof to hear the rain pounding down on), we got saturated. And I mean saturated! We were completely soaked to our underwear, as were our bags. Not fun! And to make matters worse, after our two trips back to the room to get all of our bags, we had to walk up the four floors because the lifts were out in case there was a power failure. That was our exercise for the week! But we finally made it, and celebrated our achievement with a quiet drink.
After those slight dramas, we made it to our flight, complete with chocolate and day old McDonald's for Ben's workmates, at Fly Tiwi for our flight to Ramo. We were half and hour late leaving because of the weather, but we got a bigger plane which made me happy - not so many bumps. Well, so I thought. Having never been on a small plane before (except for a sea plane years ago, which flies much lower and doesn't have any issues with turbulence because of the clouds), I was a little uptight to say the least. At least Nicki, one of Ben's workmates, was on the flight too, and she was a bit worried. Ben was fantastic. Laughing at me the whole time, and making loud scary noises to scare me. Excellent. This was almost as extreme sport as para sailing. But I'm pleased to say I made it to the end, alive and in one piece. There were a few hairy parts, with some pretty big bumps. And the landing was quite smooth except that they fly in so much faster than I expected!
My welcoming committee
I was greeted at the airport by about 10 four-wheel drives. Obviously not all for me, or for the four of us passengers. But it was mail day, so everyone was there to pick up all of their important mail. But it meant I got to meet Barry who is the cleaner around Ramo, and who is also Bev's (Ben's Administration Manager) husband, Chris from BulaBula Arts Centre and Jay from the school. And a few other people who's names I already can't remember! We drove in along the dirt road, full of pot holes because of the strong recent rain. There are ditches along the side of the roads that lead into little river-like things that take the water into the bush. But they weren't working quite as planned, so we had quite a few bumps, and driving through metre-deep water on the roads. We went the scenic way, meeting Bev, Rose (who's family are the traditional owners of the land in Ramingining) and Richard from Ben's work, Roy from the Alpa Store (the local supermarket) and seeing the sights. Which are rather limited. The Alpa Store, the Council offices, the bank and Centrelink (which were pretty busy), the Health Centre and the School. We also went to the Visitor's Quarters where Ben has been living for a while - they're fantastic for people visiting, with individual rooms off a shared lounge/dining/kitchen. And the new Visitor's Quarters are even nicer. Then we made it home!
It's a fantastic home! Three bedrooms - one is full of storage things, a study for me to do my degree and our bedroom. A huge kitchen. A great bathroom and laundry. And a MASSIVE recliner chair and lounge. Leather of course. And a 42 inch TV. Ok, so obviously it's not an overly 'happening' place, so there will be a lot of TV watched. We also have Austar, and my Wiivegie patch in no time. Assuming I can manage to get things to grow without being killed in a downpour.
The balcony with Buddy at the end. Covered in a towel because he was being naughty.
The beautiful bush backing onto our house.
The obviously very comfortable recliner.
The not quite yet organised study.
The view of the back balcony from the treadmill.
We haven't really achieved much since I've arrived, except unpacking. We've been to the Alpa Store a few times, and I met Bobby (who is a very famous singer and artist from the area), Ronnie (a Councillor) and his wife Mia and Sylvia, both who work at the school. I'll head into the School in the next few days, so I'll have another update soon. But for now, time to upload the photos I'll put on here to go with my story!
Monday, February 14, 2011
day eleven - acclimatisation
14th February 2011 - 2:15pm
Acclimatisation or acclimation is the process of an individual organism adjusting to a gradual change in its environment, (such as a change in temperature, humidity, photoperiod, or pH) allowing it to maintain performance across a range of environmental conditions.
Well, I managed to drag myself through four days of relaxing at Kuta Beach (Bali) in an attempt to acclimatise to the hot weather. Needless to say, I think I did a pretty good job. Sleeping in, eating, drinking, shopping, and extreme sports. Until now, my idea of extreme sports was gently lowering myself into the water from a boat to go snorkeling. But apparently Ben thought I should challenge my limits, and suggested we go jet-skiing, banana-boating and para sailing. Although probably not the highlight of my life, I did have a ball, and we have some fantastic photos and videos to prove it.
After successfully completing my first level of acclimatisation, we arrived back in Darwin at 4:00am on Wednesday morning to begin my cultural acclimatisation. What an amazingly beautiful and totally under-rated city. It's wet season at the moment, so most afternoons are filled with pouring rain and thunderstorms. But on Thursday morning, I went for a 5km walk around the city. The beautiful harbour with immaculately manicured gardens (in fact, the only people there at 9:30am were the gardeners on ride-on mowers), the Esplanade with its wonderful ocean view. And the incredibly clean well set out, tree-lined streets. Friday I managed another 5km walk in the sweltering 30 plus degree heat, and walked to Cullen Bay (the Sandy Bay of Darwin) and the Botanical Gardens. On Friday I also went for a meeting at the University - another place with amazing gardens and open spaces.
And talk about success with public transport! If the system was as good in Hobart, I'm sure everyone would use it. The routes were easy to understand, buses turning up exactly on time, basically free for everyone (students, pensioners, any concession card holders) and only $2.00 for those adults that pay - for a 3 hour ticket. Friendly bus drivers, clean buses. Fabulous. And amazing scenery on the way to boot.
Although I did experience racism for the first time here on the bus. At one bus stop we pulled up at, there were around 10 aboriginal people waiting. Before we'd even reached the stop, almost everyone in the front half of the bus moved immediately to the back of the bus, and I was sure it wasn't being nice and letting everyone have a seat. Some of the people that got on the bus were rather loud, and some obviously drunk, but I thought the clear display of racism was disappointing, to say the least. I have had some more positive experiences though, especially when an aboriginal man was playing the clap sticks and singing as Ben and I had dinner on tables outside a restaurant on Saturday.
I can't wait to learn more about these people that seem to be so misunderstood.
Acclimatisation or acclimation is the process of an individual organism adjusting to a gradual change in its environment, (such as a change in temperature, humidity, photoperiod, or pH) allowing it to maintain performance across a range of environmental conditions.
Well, I managed to drag myself through four days of relaxing at Kuta Beach (Bali) in an attempt to acclimatise to the hot weather. Needless to say, I think I did a pretty good job. Sleeping in, eating, drinking, shopping, and extreme sports. Until now, my idea of extreme sports was gently lowering myself into the water from a boat to go snorkeling. But apparently Ben thought I should challenge my limits, and suggested we go jet-skiing, banana-boating and para sailing. Although probably not the highlight of my life, I did have a ball, and we have some fantastic photos and videos to prove it.
After successfully completing my first level of acclimatisation, we arrived back in Darwin at 4:00am on Wednesday morning to begin my cultural acclimatisation. What an amazingly beautiful and totally under-rated city. It's wet season at the moment, so most afternoons are filled with pouring rain and thunderstorms. But on Thursday morning, I went for a 5km walk around the city. The beautiful harbour with immaculately manicured gardens (in fact, the only people there at 9:30am were the gardeners on ride-on mowers), the Esplanade with its wonderful ocean view. And the incredibly clean well set out, tree-lined streets. Friday I managed another 5km walk in the sweltering 30 plus degree heat, and walked to Cullen Bay (the Sandy Bay of Darwin) and the Botanical Gardens. On Friday I also went for a meeting at the University - another place with amazing gardens and open spaces.
Darwin Harbour
Cullen Bay
And talk about success with public transport! If the system was as good in Hobart, I'm sure everyone would use it. The routes were easy to understand, buses turning up exactly on time, basically free for everyone (students, pensioners, any concession card holders) and only $2.00 for those adults that pay - for a 3 hour ticket. Friendly bus drivers, clean buses. Fabulous. And amazing scenery on the way to boot.
Although I did experience racism for the first time here on the bus. At one bus stop we pulled up at, there were around 10 aboriginal people waiting. Before we'd even reached the stop, almost everyone in the front half of the bus moved immediately to the back of the bus, and I was sure it wasn't being nice and letting everyone have a seat. Some of the people that got on the bus were rather loud, and some obviously drunk, but I thought the clear display of racism was disappointing, to say the least. I have had some more positive experiences though, especially when an aboriginal man was playing the clap sticks and singing as Ben and I had dinner on tables outside a restaurant on Saturday.
I can't wait to learn more about these people that seem to be so misunderstood.
day two
5th February 2011 - 10:00am
Ok. Well, I was ready for my flight to Darwin, but apparently my flight to Darwin wasn’t ready for me…
I managed to fill in the rest of the afternoon at Melbourne airport by having a bit of a walk around and finishing off my Marie Claire magazine that my work mates gave me. At around 6:30, half an hour before my scheduled departure, there was a last minute gate change. So I made my way to gate 8. Where the plane hadn’t arrived from the previous flight. Hmm. This was obviously going to be interesting, given I only had 35 minutes changeover time in Brisbane to get to my connecting flight.
Who knows what time the plane actually left because I wasn’t wearing a watch, but the new arrival time in Brisbane was 9:00pm, instead of 8:10pm. As those of you who worked with me at Menzies will know, I’m probably the best person in our lab at doing calculations. And with those amazing maths skills, I calculated that I would be 15 minutes late for the connecting flight to Darwin. But I wasn’t worried, because they’d made it quite clear when I cracked it at them when I had to change my Hobart-Melbourne flight, that because it was a connecting flight the plane would wait for us.
I’m not quite sure what Virgin Blue’s definition of wait is, but I guess maybe the plane did wait. As the plane I was on taxied into gate 40, our plane was leaving gate 41. So at least they waited so we could see our plane leaving without us. Knowing this was the last plane out of Brisbane to Darwin for the night, I was guessing that I would be having a sleepover in Brisbane.
There were 12 of us that missed the flight, including the lovely couple that sat next to me during the flight from Melbourne to Brisbane, Sandy and Rick. They were heading to Darwin for five days, although it should’ve been a few weeks, but the company they were touring with went broke, and they lost their money. So as if it wasn’t bad enough that their trip was cut short anyway, now they missed another night in Darwin! But Virgin Blue were actually pretty good to us, putting us up for the night in the Hotel Grand Chancellor and giving us a $50 FOOD voucher for dinner (to use in the restaurant that was closed – although they did order us Dominoes pizza). I write food in capitals because it was made quite clear that we couldn’t spend the $50 on top shelf grog. Spewin. They also gave us transfers to and from the hotel, and since the next flight to Darwin wasn’t until Saturday afternoon with Virgin, they upgraded us to Qantas. Woohoo! More leg room, food, tea and coffee, nicer staff. And even better, on a basically empty plane! I could’ve had a whole row of seven seats to myself! We had to sit in our allocated seats to start with though, and I met a lovely lady from Darwin who I was having a chat to about my move to the middle of nowhere. She said I’ll have a great time.
So now I’m on the plane, about to get back to reading ‘Richo’, and only a few hours away from finally getting to see Ben again! And only four hours after that we’ll be heading to Bali for three nights. We’ll probably spend those four hours sitting at the bar enjoying some of the last few drinks I’ll be having for quite a while…
Ok. Well, I was ready for my flight to Darwin, but apparently my flight to Darwin wasn’t ready for me…
I managed to fill in the rest of the afternoon at Melbourne airport by having a bit of a walk around and finishing off my Marie Claire magazine that my work mates gave me. At around 6:30, half an hour before my scheduled departure, there was a last minute gate change. So I made my way to gate 8. Where the plane hadn’t arrived from the previous flight. Hmm. This was obviously going to be interesting, given I only had 35 minutes changeover time in Brisbane to get to my connecting flight.
Who knows what time the plane actually left because I wasn’t wearing a watch, but the new arrival time in Brisbane was 9:00pm, instead of 8:10pm. As those of you who worked with me at Menzies will know, I’m probably the best person in our lab at doing calculations. And with those amazing maths skills, I calculated that I would be 15 minutes late for the connecting flight to Darwin. But I wasn’t worried, because they’d made it quite clear when I cracked it at them when I had to change my Hobart-Melbourne flight, that because it was a connecting flight the plane would wait for us.
I’m not quite sure what Virgin Blue’s definition of wait is, but I guess maybe the plane did wait. As the plane I was on taxied into gate 40, our plane was leaving gate 41. So at least they waited so we could see our plane leaving without us. Knowing this was the last plane out of Brisbane to Darwin for the night, I was guessing that I would be having a sleepover in Brisbane.
There were 12 of us that missed the flight, including the lovely couple that sat next to me during the flight from Melbourne to Brisbane, Sandy and Rick. They were heading to Darwin for five days, although it should’ve been a few weeks, but the company they were touring with went broke, and they lost their money. So as if it wasn’t bad enough that their trip was cut short anyway, now they missed another night in Darwin! But Virgin Blue were actually pretty good to us, putting us up for the night in the Hotel Grand Chancellor and giving us a $50 FOOD voucher for dinner (to use in the restaurant that was closed – although they did order us Dominoes pizza). I write food in capitals because it was made quite clear that we couldn’t spend the $50 on top shelf grog. Spewin. They also gave us transfers to and from the hotel, and since the next flight to Darwin wasn’t until Saturday afternoon with Virgin, they upgraded us to Qantas. Woohoo! More leg room, food, tea and coffee, nicer staff. And even better, on a basically empty plane! I could’ve had a whole row of seven seats to myself! We had to sit in our allocated seats to start with though, and I met a lovely lady from Darwin who I was having a chat to about my move to the middle of nowhere. She said I’ll have a great time.
So now I’m on the plane, about to get back to reading ‘Richo’, and only a few hours away from finally getting to see Ben again! And only four hours after that we’ll be heading to Bali for three nights. We’ll probably spend those four hours sitting at the bar enjoying some of the last few drinks I’ll be having for quite a while…
Friday, February 4, 2011
day one - the departure
4th February 2011 - 3:00pm
The journey begins.
Being the OCDC person I am (for those who don’t understand, that’s somewhere between obsessive compulsive disorder and ACDC – thanks Cathy Blizzard), I decided to set my alarm for 7:00am so we could leave by 8:00am, and arrive at the airport by 9:00am for a 10:00am departure. And everything went to plan.
On the way, I got to say goodbye to some of the places in Hobart that hold some incredible stories. My home in Blackmans Bay, my brother Andy and his partner Mandy, Mum’s pets Chino and Winnie (short for Winnie Blue 25s), BWS Kingston Town, Heart Attack Corner in Kingston, the Southern Outlet and it’s painful traffic jam at Cat’s Eye Corner, the Duke (home of Wednesday night trivia), the wharf, Menzies Research Institute and the Clinical School, Montgomery’s and its famous karaoke, the Hotel Grand Chancellor and it’s warmed red wine, the Tasman Bridge and my memories of Dad stopping every time we went over to make sure everything was ok at the radio tower, Eastlands Shopping Centre and its classy clientele, my little house in Mornington and Shiploads Cambridge Park.
I arrived at the airport with Mum and Hayley in tow, partly to say goodbye, and partly to help carry my large backpack with small one attached, my sports bag, my laptop, my handbag and my camera. The waiting was made a bit easier by Hayley’s excitement at the departing plane – first the stairs being taken away, then the ‘things turning around in circles’ and then the light coming on. And the highlight was that plane leaving at almost the same time my plane was arriving.
And until this point, apart from yesterday saying my goodbyes at work, I had managed to keep it together. Until I came back from the toilet to see the plane about to board, and Cathy and Stan had arrived to say goodbye. So then the ‘hayfever’ started. Knew I should’ve taken that anti-histamine. Had a bit of a teary at the airport, but I know it will all be fine, because Hayley said that she wont miss me, because she’ll be able to talk to me on the ‘puter’. Obviously my hayfever was still playing up a bit, because the air hostess asked if I was ok. Then I started reading the Marie Claire magazine my workmates gave me, and when I read about all of the issues everyone else in Australia seems to be having, I felt a hell of a lot better about things.
Dreading the eight hour wait in Melbourne Airport, I was excited to be greeted by Alice who had stayed in Melbourne Thursday night to hang out with me at the airport. Although we were just hoping there would be somewhere to sit in the airport for that long, luckily I had been talking to someone yesterday (I think it may have been Roger, although I thought it was John – yesterday is a bit of a blur) who suggested we hang out at the bar at the Hilton. Well, thankyou very much! A very enjoyable afternoon of bubbly starting at 11:50am (as the waitress said, it’s after 12pm somewhere in the world) and lunch, I think I’m just about prepared for my next flight to Darwin!
The journey begins.
Being the OCDC person I am (for those who don’t understand, that’s somewhere between obsessive compulsive disorder and ACDC – thanks Cathy Blizzard), I decided to set my alarm for 7:00am so we could leave by 8:00am, and arrive at the airport by 9:00am for a 10:00am departure. And everything went to plan.
On the way, I got to say goodbye to some of the places in Hobart that hold some incredible stories. My home in Blackmans Bay, my brother Andy and his partner Mandy, Mum’s pets Chino and Winnie (short for Winnie Blue 25s), BWS Kingston Town, Heart Attack Corner in Kingston, the Southern Outlet and it’s painful traffic jam at Cat’s Eye Corner, the Duke (home of Wednesday night trivia), the wharf, Menzies Research Institute and the Clinical School, Montgomery’s and its famous karaoke, the Hotel Grand Chancellor and it’s warmed red wine, the Tasman Bridge and my memories of Dad stopping every time we went over to make sure everything was ok at the radio tower, Eastlands Shopping Centre and its classy clientele, my little house in Mornington and Shiploads Cambridge Park.
I arrived at the airport with Mum and Hayley in tow, partly to say goodbye, and partly to help carry my large backpack with small one attached, my sports bag, my laptop, my handbag and my camera. The waiting was made a bit easier by Hayley’s excitement at the departing plane – first the stairs being taken away, then the ‘things turning around in circles’ and then the light coming on. And the highlight was that plane leaving at almost the same time my plane was arriving.
And until this point, apart from yesterday saying my goodbyes at work, I had managed to keep it together. Until I came back from the toilet to see the plane about to board, and Cathy and Stan had arrived to say goodbye. So then the ‘hayfever’ started. Knew I should’ve taken that anti-histamine. Had a bit of a teary at the airport, but I know it will all be fine, because Hayley said that she wont miss me, because she’ll be able to talk to me on the ‘puter’. Obviously my hayfever was still playing up a bit, because the air hostess asked if I was ok. Then I started reading the Marie Claire magazine my workmates gave me, and when I read about all of the issues everyone else in Australia seems to be having, I felt a hell of a lot better about things.
Dreading the eight hour wait in Melbourne Airport, I was excited to be greeted by Alice who had stayed in Melbourne Thursday night to hang out with me at the airport. Although we were just hoping there would be somewhere to sit in the airport for that long, luckily I had been talking to someone yesterday (I think it may have been Roger, although I thought it was John – yesterday is a bit of a blur) who suggested we hang out at the bar at the Hilton. Well, thankyou very much! A very enjoyable afternoon of bubbly starting at 11:50am (as the waitress said, it’s after 12pm somewhere in the world) and lunch, I think I’m just about prepared for my next flight to Darwin!
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