My 1st Day in AUSTRALIA

Thu, 10th August 2006: Palmerston, Australia

The day started somewhere sometime when I was airborne my Qantas flight from Singapore to Darwin, Australia. It was the first time that I flew with Qantas. The experience was ok. Except that it was and international flight but the airhostesses were at least 35 yrs old. Moreover, there was no personal entertainment system. But I would still Qantas in my Top 10.

The flight arrived on-time in Darwin. Before landing I became excited when I looked out and saw the lights of the Darwin city center and the imagined the sleeping city. The touch down was memorable as I landed on the 5th Continent of this world and my 54th Country.

After landing the pilot announced that all passengers must carry their passports in their hands for immediate inspection but asap I came out of the plane, there was no check until the passport control which followed immediately after the tunnel. There were huge poster in that hall stating the forbidden items to bring into Australia and if u do so which penalties are put on you etc. etc. I bought some cashew nut sweets from Singapore (made in Malaysia) for my host Konrad in Darwin but now I was not sure if I should dispose them off or should I declare them and go to the Quarantine section of customs & immigration. Finally my turn came at the immigration. I was asked the regular questions, where am I coming from, how many days am I staying and were, whats the purpose of my visit etc. etc. as soon as I got off from this immigration officer another lady officer which seemed to be the head of these immigration officers came to me. She was white Australian wearing head scraf in Islamic way and also modest clothes underneath. She asked me in details the same questions but as I was use to answering them so it was not difficult to satisfy her. Then the big moment arrived, my face was bright and there was a huge smile on my face which entering Australia. As soon as I stepped on the Australian territory outside the sliding door of customs I couldn’t stop myself from expressing the sheer joy by jumping in air and say Yuhuuuu…. J there were some guys and a girl sitting right infront of the arrival door and they saw me so happy and the girl immediately wished me: welcome back home! I replied with thank you. Home? No… yes no! for a travelers like me… any country I go is my home so yes! These wishes apply to me too. Then I stopped for a moment and looked around as a sleepy head getting awake and getting more aware of the unknown surroundings. After a few minutes I saw Visitors Center so I went there for further information about Darwin. Then I repacked my bags and withdrew some cash – Australian dollars from the ATM. Hey! I must say that I like the Bills of Australian dollars. They are lovely! I was curious to explore a bit more as I had time because my friend Konrad was suppose to pick me up at 6am local time and I had a couple of hours up my sleeve so I went to Qantas country and left the broachers on the floor as I wanted to discuss about my Fiji ticket issue. The lady on the counter, Samantha Bennette was extremely helpful but when I turned around I found out that my broachers have been picked up by the clearners. I thought that I some country the must lay on the floor for atleast a day or two before they are picker but there these people are over efficitent about cleanliness. Anyways, I got them again before Konrad came to pick me up. He’s a nice guy and I am glad he accepted my offer to be his guest. He drove to the Darwin harbour and we watched my first sun rise in Australia Together – Absolutely stunning!

Then we went to the sleepy town of Darwin early morning around 8am for a coffee and a muffin. I learnt that It is not common to tip the waiters in Australia so I didn’t! The first impression of Darwin was a laid-back town where the life has its own pace. Its very relaxed and sunny with bright blue sky – lovely!

My friend – my host Konrad who is basically from Sydney but he has been living in Northern Territory for about 3 yrs. Actually he doesn’t live not in Darwin but in another small town 15 km in the south-east called Palmerston. He drove back there and showed me around places of interest before we arrived back home where his two flat mates were waiting for the car. The other two are originally from Darwin. I relaxed a bit and arranged my stuff before I laid down and took a little nap for about a couple of hours. Konrad woke me up as he was hungry so we drove to the Night Cliff region where I ate famous Barramundi fish for the first time in my life. It was tasty!

We came back home and I went outside by walking to explore Palmerston and use internet to arrange my issue with Fijian Trip (visa). I walked into the main shopping center and to the Flight Center shop where the travel agent girl, Sam was so helpful that she gave me a 20 A$ calling card for free so that I can call Sydney for free. Soooo nice and helpful cheerful people! Lovely!

On my way to the telephone booth I saw the library so I decided to the emails. Then I went to the Palmerston Bus station from where I made a suffessful phone call to Fijian High Commission and got Visa Information but they told me some basic requirements so in order to fulfill the requirements I went to the guy at the bus information counter who was very friendly and helpful. Then I went to National bank of Australia but asap I turned the corner I saw a few dirty old aboriginals. I was a bit scared as I wasn’t expecting them like that just right infront of me after the turn. Anyways, I got a few things done and came back home where Konrad cooked delicious fish which was caught by his house mates. His friend Mark, appeared to have a drink with us. We talked about Pakistan and Switzerland. Had a nice talk and now I am here on the laptop. I can’t imagine that I arrived today. God! The life is so slow here and this is what Konrad and his friends told me.

OK let me get some real night sleep. Bye… Umer.

Q&A:

1. What did I learn today?
Say 6 times Silk and then ask the person what does the cow drink ? He/She’ll say Milk!

2. What did I see today?
Darwin Airport, Darwin Harbour/Wharf, Nightcliff & its beach, Darwin City center, Saw the breathtaking sunrise from the Darwin harbour, WWII Australian memorial with a canon, Palmerston town center, Aboriginals – was so sorry to see the real Australians in such a terrible conditions like beggers in their own country.

3. I was surprised by?
How friendly and helpful are the people here! I wasn’t expecting them to be that friendly to be honest.

4. The golden moment of the day?
Coming out of the immigration & customs door and entering the main hall of Darwin airport – I jumped and said yuuuhuuu! J unforgettable !!! A dream come true !!!

5. What did I teach today?
The handfuls of bad Pakistanis are ruining the reputation of all 145 Million Pakistanis back home.

6. Did I help anyone?
I wanted to help Konrad cook the food.

7. Did I eat something new?
Famous fish from Darwin, ‘Barramundi’ – Delicious!!! Tried Australian version or Smirnoff, called Cruiser Ice J its better!

8. What did I do for the first time in my life today?
Landed on the 5th Continent of the world called Australia, entered 54th country Australia.

9. To how many people I introduced myself/my country?
Two Australian Immigration officer, one customs officer, one lady at the Qantas ticket desk, Konrad (Australian), his 2 house mates (Australian), Mark (Konrad’s friend - Australian), Sam (the flight center travel agent girl - Australian), Fijian Consulate Visa Officer (Fiji)
Total= 10

Overall rating or the day? Good !