Wanted to send out an update/recap about how the first 4 days in Australia have gone for Nadine & Dave. It’s a little on the long side, since so much has already happened!
We couldn't be more thankful for the accommodations provided by our hosts (Nadine’s professor Dr Paul Collins, and his wife Sharon) for the first 4 days inGeelong. Paul & Sharon picked us up directly from the Melbourne airport, and answered all of our countless list questions on the ride back. They've also provided us meals, a guest bed & bath, showed us around town, and driven us where we've needed to go. We've even shared a couple bottles of wine, and have also let us rummage through their kitchen for breakfast and snacks. It feels almost like we are family.
Okay, let's recap Days 1-4....
Day 1
We woke up with a living room that looked like a garage sale, and after a morning of packing and sorting, we fit it all into 6 bags. We were driven to the airport by two students in our Polymer Research group, what a blessing to have “door-to-door” service. After hugs & good-byes, it was time to check-in. When we put our checked bags on the scale, we found out one was 40 lbs, and the other was 56! So we had to open our bags right at the counter, and after some switching around on the spot, we hit exactly 50.0 lbs!
Our Southwest Airlines flight from NOLA to LAX was completely full (Nadine & I sat across the aisle from each other), and other than leaving a little late, it was great. We had built in a 4 hour layover, to ensure that delays wouldn’t be an issue. Upon arrival into LAX, we had to fetch our checked luggage, and get over the International terminal, to re-check in with Qantas airlines. Since we didn’t want to walk the whole way, Nadine had the idea to hop on a rental car bus, since they have to go to all terminals. So we hopped on, with all 6 bags. When we got to the Int’l terminal, we hopped off the bus, and after about 20 steps I realized we only had 5 bags! I ran back to the bus (thank goodness it hadn’t driven away yet!) and fetched our 6th bag. Nadine had hopped off with 2 of 3 bags (since we were used to only carrying 2 since we checked luggage in NOLA). Nevertheless, our first major crisis was averted, and off we went to excitedly check-in for our Melbourne flight!
We got our tickets, got through security no problem, & got to the gate with no problems. When we boarded we were greeted by a lovely Australian crew, welcoming us on our journey. The best part was that our flight was ~20% full, so that meant Nadine & I each were able to get our own row to stretch out and sleep lying down. The 16 hr flight ended up being super easy, since we had so much space. Additionally, there was a small champagne toast at midnight Melbourne time, so Nadine & I set our alarms to wake up for that.
When we landed, we were excited to officially be in Australia! We were fully relieved when we got our checked bags, and made it through Customs. We were greeted by Paul and driven to his house (see above). After a warm shower and a clean change of clothes, we drove down to Torquay for lunch, and quick tour of their beaches. Torquay is known as 'Surf City'. We headed back to Paul's house, and got ready to walk around Geelong to find Nadine a place to live!
Day 1 - Stuff Everywhere!
Day 1 - All in 6 Bags!
Day 1 - New Year's Toast over the Pacific Ocean
Day 1 - Torquay Beach
Day 2
We set off in Geelong to open our bank accounts, acquire cell phone packages, and look at possible housing accommodations for Nadine. It was a day full of walking, and the temperature soared about 100 degrees! We easily got $$ out of our accounts, and cell phone plans. We then treked around the city, looking for a few places for Nadine. At one point, we were driven by a landlord to look at a couple places in the back of his convertible! Pretty cool for only Day 2 in Australia!
We didn't find an apartment for Nadine, but we did learn the neighborhood she wants to be in. Downtown Geelong, where she could take a University shuttle bus everyday to work. We ended day watching a bike race down at the beach, and then got fish & chips at a local eatery. Overall, Day 2 was a success!
Day 2 - Bike Race at the beach
Day 3 (Saturday)
We headed into Melbourne to find Dave a place to live. We hopped on the 8am VLine train into Melbourne, and then wandered over to a local cafe to get breakfast (it was delicious!). We then took a subway up to Bundoora, and walked around the town, looking at a few places to live (it was over 100 degrees again!).
Dave found a place right near campus through Airbnb (11 Betula Ave), for at least the first week. It is a short walk to work, groceries, and a tram stop.
After paying one week's rent to secure the room, we hopped on the Tram, and took it back into downtown Melbourne (took about ~1 hr travel time). We grabbed dinner, then hopped on the 6pm train back to Geelong. Overall, Day 3 was a success! Dave found a temporary place to live near campus, and we learned to successfully navigate the 3 forms of transportation in Melbourne. We also learned it is ~3 hrs from Dave's work to Nadine's work, via public transit.
Day 3 - Yummy Breakfast
Day 3 - Dave at RMIT
Day 4 (Sunday)
We slept in! Then we did laundry, grabbed brunch at a nearby cafe, drove by Nadine's campus, and relaxed by watching the Steelers lose their playoff game. Nadine continued to look up apartments in Geelong, while Dave packed his bags for his first week at work. Paul & Sharon drove us into Geelong, so that Dave could catch the 5pm train & Nadine could visit a couple more places. Day 4 was quieter in comparison to Days 1-3, but this was much needed. We each prepared for the start of our 'individual' Australian adventures, with work starting Monday morning for each of us!
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