Monday 7th April

Monday 7th April

Well we were up bright and early this morning as we had a lot to do. Tom sorted the kids breakfast for me while Jason and I tried to get sorted, tidy up and figure out where we needed to go. Tom has been great, it is as though he has had a personality transplant, don’t get me wrong it is great, but he really does seem to have grown up.

It was a lovely and warm day, Sam succumbed to his shorts rather than jeans (Tom wants to look like a local rather than a tourist) and all locals wear jeans and not shorts, Moo and Jason had jeans on and I was in my 3/4 pants as I forgot to pack my jeans, not sure how, but I did!!!

First we headed off to immigration, now that was an experience and a half, we found the office and joined the long queue, we could see the other side of wall was like a huge waiting room and although it wasn’t even 9.30 it was FULL, there were people sat everywhere, including the floors. We were the only white people in this queue which seemed to amuse the girl behind the counter when it was eventually our turn, she greeted us with a huge smile, and we explained that we were there to evidence our visa, she gave us a B number and told us it would be about 30 mins and we might want to pop outside for a drink rather than waiting inside.

We chose to wait inside, although did send Jason out for water, we are going through lots of bottled water, it is still very warm for Autumn! We found a space on the floor and sat down, well apart from me, I love people watching and as we as white people were in the minority, there was a lot to watch. So many different languages, soo many Chinese, some were sat filling in the visa application form so I don’t know how they had managed to get into the country, anyhow our turn came and the man just stuck a sticker in our passports, again nothing flash.

Next was Medicare, that was nice and easy apart from the long walk across town, again the kids have been great, we have walked miles and miles, my calves have felt it so the kids must have, Moo seems to think she is power walking, which is rather funny, anyhow we have our temp medical cards so can now be ill.

We then went back to the apartment as the kids needed a rest, we had a sandwich and then left them on the Wii, while Jason and I went to the bank, we had opened an account for Jason while in the UK, it was sooo easy, we walked into NAB (National Australia Bank), gave them the letter, took a seat for about 5 mins, we were then taken into a room where Jason was given his bank card and pin number, we changed the account into a joint one, I was given my pin number and told to call back in on Friday for my card, we were set up for internet and telephone banking and were given application forms for credit cards and told to apply once Jason’s first salary has been credited and that was it, soo easy.

Jason then set off to the airport to collect our unaccompanied case and I did some washing – thought I was on holiday J When he arrived back we went back to the supermarket for more food and bits, and had pizza takeaway for tea, before yet another early night. All this fresh air is tiring us out.