G'day Australia!

Failing to get any sleep on the plane I didn't care though as the sun slowly rose over the horizon as we began to descend towards Brisbane through an overcast sky with me still hardly believing I was about to finally touch down in Australia.

CBD

The passport stamp at the airport reflected the country form the start, being upside down and a few pages from any others, as I took the bus into the city centre to Brisbane City Backpackers already trying to adjust back into western price levels no longer being able to buy a bus ticket for less money than a packet of gum.

Stepping outside I first headed to the Virgin Atlantic office to sort out a flight all the while feeling weird no longer being the only white guy in the street and being unable to haggle for anything. A pleasant 25 degrees, which back home would be a hot day, was also taking some getting used to after seemingly endless days of 30+ degrees heat and high humidity in Asia, almost made me go and put trousers on for the first time in months.

Church

I realized I was suffering from a little reverse culture shock (odd when I never had forward culture shock when first arriving in Asia) being back in a world of toasters and toilet roll.

Apart from the lack of kangaroos roaming the streets or koalas hanging from the street lights the Australian lifestyle was already appealing to me with everyone appearing more relaxed than back home and usually giving a "G'day mate" unlike back in Blighty. Whinging poms.

Having gotten used to eaten out for almost every meal for the last 7 months the thought of self catering was making me already head towards the nearest pizza place.

Facing the inevitable I walked to the local supermarket, Woolworths, which back home you would more likely find toys and batteries in than bread and butter. The routine of food shopping was soon coming back to me though with we me actually looking forward to cooking my own food although the dish washing I could go without.

River

So sitting down with my first self-cooked meal in months near the TV what better way to realize I'm now in the land of down under than having the Aussie tea time favorite soap of Neighbours come on the TV.

Welcome to Australia.

Town Hall