Our First 24 Hours

We caught a taxi cab at the airport to take us to our place and it was about 20 minutes ride. It was raining, but it was nice to see the green grass and the trees. It was a little strange being in a car with the driver on the other side of the car and when we were off the expressway it was weird seeing the traffic going opposite of what were are used to seeing. I’m so glad we won’t have a car because I don’t think I would do very well. After dropping our luggage off at our place we decided to go to the local supermarket, a five minute walk up the street, to pick up a few groceries before Bob’s call he had to make. In the afternoon the rain had stopped so we went out so he could show me around.  We walked by his work building and down to the Queen Street Mall, which is a large pedestrian mall with many stores, places to eat, etc.  After our long day of travel we were both pretty tired, so we went back to eat lunch and relax.  More rain came later (see below), so we had picked the perfect time to go. After not much sleep in the last 48 hours it was an early night.

The flooding is to the north of us, but above shows how hard it has been raining.

Below a few minutes later it is still raining but not as hard.

I woke up at 4:30am Saturday and the sun was already shining into the bedroom. (Bob had warned me the sun comes up early) I was feeling pretty good after a good nights sleep and stayed there for a while. I remembered my iPod and tried to see what radio channels I could receive.  Praise God I found a Christian channel. Pastor Ben Windle was preaching on James 4:1-8 on 7 Steps to Draw Closer to God. He was so good I got up to get my Bible and notepad and took some great notes. I was anxious to learn who and where this preacher spoke as he talked about Brisbane. I’m looking forward to seeing if he is the regular speaker around here and hope to be able to check it out Sunday!

So then I went out to sit on the patio and watch the city in the early morning. On the river walk below I see mostly runners, but also walkers and bikers going up and down.  I have been watching the City Ferry boats and the City Cat boats going up and down the river. The City Ferry is a smaller, slower boat that makes stops on both sides of the river near us, while the City Cat is a little faster, larger boat that makes more infrequent stops. Both boats stop near each other not far from us. So I’m anxious to check them out and see where they can take us. I’ve also seen a jet skier and a kayak going by as well.   Looking forward to our first full day in Brisbane!

We have arrived and I finally have a stamp in my passport!

Wow what a trip!  I can’t believe we are finally here. The previous post told of our trip to the airport. Now here is the rest of the story….We arrived in plenty of time for our flight and were waiting to board when they announced that our plane arriving into Detroit was having mechanical problems and they would work on it to have it ready for us to board. Long story short, they had to find a new plane and had us move to another gate. Fortunately our layover in L.A. was long enough it didn’t matter we left an hour and a half late.

We arrived in L.A. and changed terminals and grabbed a quick bite, had some nice conversion and some reading before the next flight. What a difference on the next plane. Bigger seats with a pillow, blanket and water bottle; a kit with eye shades, socks and some toiletries and some super headphones to listen to movies, music and games that blocked out the noise so well you had to take them off to talk to each other.

A while after takeoff they came around to ask for our dinner and breakfast preference.  After dinner we watched movies or listened to music, while dozing/sleeping on and off. There was water, pop and snacks available if you were hungry before breakfast which was served about 3 hours prior to landing. 

We were schedule to arrive a little early into Brisbane until we started to land. As some of you now they have been having a lot of rain here and we were put in a holding pattern to try to wait for the weather to clear a little. After about 20 minutes they decided to try and land because a couple of other flights were able to come in with no problems. If we couldn’t land we may have been diverted to the Gold Coast to refuel.  I don’t ever remember being on a plane where people applauded as we finally touched down and slowed to a stop. I know I was praying as we came in.

After three years of having and using a passport dozens of time. I finally have a stamp in my passport. Praise God the trip went well and we are safely here.  Thinking and praying for you all.

The Journey Begins

Which is better, one big suitcase or lots of little ones? Since Bob took the big suitcase with him on his last trip over and didn't have to bring it back, we had to decide how best to pack my things and a few more of Bob's things. How much do you take for a three to four month trip and not get tired of wearing the same thing. It's surprising how quickly the small ones fill up. We ended up with four small moderately-filled suitcases instead of three over-stuffed suitcases.

How nice it was that a car came to pick us up. I feel spoiled, the driver loaded the bags, opened our doors and whisked us off to the airport. What a nice ride! Bottled water waiting, able to stretch your legs out and nice conversation with the driver. Such a luxury not to have to worry about driving and parking!

So now we are here at the airport, all checked in and waiting for our flight to LA. I even was enrolled in Sky Miles Program so I can earn my own reward miles. The long journey begins, but it is just the start of an exciting time of travel, exploration and adventure!

It takes how long?

Bob sent my itinerary to me a couple of weeks ago. First flight 5 hours, not too bad, second flight 14 hours and 5 minutes! Twenty-four hours from the time we leave home until we arrive in Australia!!!!

I have always been the one to drop him off at the airport late afternoon and drive forty minutes back home. By then he’s close to boarding the first plane.  Before my bedtime, his first flight is done. Text message three hours later, he’s on the second flight. Go back to sleep and wake up the next morning, he’s still flying. Have breakfast….have lunch, he’s still flying!  By dinner time, he’s finally there.  Now it’s my turn to experience it.

                       

Thank goodness I will be with Bob who will be on his fifth trip to Australia in the last eight months. He can help me cope and keep me sane on the long flight (if he doesn’t end up throwing me off the plane). I have my IPod, a book, four Guideposts, my Bible and devotions plus Bob says we can choose from a list of movies, games and music to entertain us. Do you think I can survive it?

As long as God and Bob are at my side, I will. You may not get me on the plane to come back home! Oh yeah, my family is back home. I can do it!



High-rise Apartment Living

Before returning from his most recent trip to Australia Bob moved into our two-bedroom apartment on the 18^th floor of a high-rise building.  Here are a couple of pictures to give you an idea of our home for the next few months.  I think the patio will be my favorite place to be. Even on rainy days I can sit out and enjoy the view. What do you think?





This is looking from the living area back toward the kitchen and entrance.

The laundry room and bathroom are through that

open doorway at the right side of picture.

You can just see the entrance to one bedroom

at the right edge of the picture opposite the table.



This is the view from the kitchen to the balcony. 

You can see the other bedroom off to the left.

This is the balcony off the living area.
There is another balcony off of one of the bedrooms.