Posts Tagged ‘airport’
Monday, July 28th, 2008
Well, made it safe and sound to New Zealand. I’ve been meaning to write but kept getting side-tracked or just plum forgot! New Zealand was beautiful but I’m guessing it’s twice as nice during the summer. I still have a hard time with the whole winter in July bit but it’s ok. Christchurch on the South Island is where we stayed. Quaint little place with Trams and old architecture. Sorta Gothic/English looking. Very cool! It was chilly tho. I’m guessing about 40’s during the day (and that’s in fahrenheit).
So I completed flights 4 through 7 now. Cairns to Brisbane to New Zealand to Brisbane.. then Cairns. I think I’m getting the hang of this quite well now. No worries. Fiji next? Hmmmm
We flew Jetstar and Pacific Blue (Virgin Blue). Both planes were 737s, seating was 3-3. Both flights to New Zealand we got the emergency exit seats. Nice and roomy! But on the way back we were just one seat behind. I think I feel more comfortable over the wing. I was also told that you can’t feel as much motion either. Regardless, I still take my dramamine. Pictures of the clouds and some New Zealand shots can be found on my deviantArt gallery.
So if you’re wondering or if you’ve guessed, I made it back through customs in Australia and am on round two of my 90 tourist visa. No questions asked. Lyn and I have now been physically living together for 6 months. Another 6 more months and we can apply for our interdependency Visa. That’s gonna require lots of paper work and money for the fees. I really hate that I can’t work and earn anything.
My mum sent me a package for my birthday. She made me the cutest little wooden jewelry box. She does wood burning like stuff so she engraved an Arizona scenery on the top. When I opened the box to look inside there was a little piece of paper with a poem on it. It reads:
It isn’t very big at all. Nor tiny, not one bit. You coudln’t buy it in a mall, Cause all my love is in it. So when you lift this tiny lid, And stardust falls upon you. I’ll always be there by your side, miles from Lake Havasu.
Well as you can imagine… I bawled! As I’m doing now since I just re-read it. LOL! So my mum misses me heaps. I miss her too! I wish she would get her passport and start putting some money aside to come and visit. But we talk on Yahoo quite a bit and I’ve been calling her on the phone. All is good.
I’m really comfortable here. I’m glad I followed my heart! I knew that I loved Lyn and wonder sometimes what my life would be like had I not made this life changing decision. I’d probably still be some computer geek sitting at the desk watching stupid movies and wasting my life. Lyn is now my life and I can’t imagine living without her. Truly, I don’t care where I live as long as she’s by my side.
Tags: airport, architecture, australia, christchurch, computer, english, flight, gothic, Jet Star, jewelry, New Zealand, Pacific Blue, passport, plane, trams, Virgin Blue, Visa, yahoo
Posted in New Zealand, Thoughts, Tidbits | No Comments »
Monday, April 28th, 2008
Ok… here I am safe and sound in Australia. I took 3 plane rides to get here. Each plane varied in size and length of trip.
Flight #1: Vegas to L.A. Embrae rj140 Sat in 5C near window on the right side of the plane. Flight Time – 2:50 pm – 4:00 pm
I showed the FoF letter to the boarding lady and she said “oh aren’t you so cute! Sure you can meet the pilot and see the cockpit”. So now it’s time to board and I’m walking through the tunnel. My nerves were rattling inside and I could feel tears starting to well up. The flight attendant pointed me left to the pilots cockpit area and both pilots started talking to me. (more…)
Tags: airport, altitude, arrive, australia, breathing, Brisbane, bumps, cabin, Cairns, cold, control, crew, cruising, deep breaths, dizzy, dramamine, drive, ear, flight, flying, LA, landing, luggage, pictures, pilot, pressure, runway, sneezing, take-off, taxi, turbulence, Vegas
Posted in Thoughts | 1 Comment »
Friday, April 18th, 2008
6 more days left before I head off into the sky!! OMG! I’m more excited than anything but still scared shitless! Just about through with everything. I got my cheesy beat-up car sold for $150! YEAH! Hey, I woulda taken $50 for it! This will help with the car rental we got. We rented a one-way and will drop it off at the Vegas airport.
Still miss my boy. So much that if I drop some food on the kitchen floor I’ll holler for him to come eat it up. 
Hate that feeling when he doesn’t come. I’m going to call the quarantine station tonight and see how he’s doing. It’s been a week now that he’s been there. Hope he’s adjusting but not adjusting TOO much!
I received an email from a Website Forum Administrator. He wanted me to write stuff about the U.S. and moving to Australia. He owns Viva Australia Forum. I’ll keep the link over in the Blogroll. The site is just starting out but it’s about traveling and/or relocating to Australia. Pop on over if you’re heading that way and see what it’s about. Anyway, I have this blog going so for me to re-write stuff all over again would just be a nuisance to me and I really don’t have the time. People can come and visit or I’ll link a blog post on their forum if I think it’s of any interest or might help with a visa issue.
I do have to say this one other bit before I go. My ex co-worker found another job and gave her notice! THIS is the blog that I wrote about that. I have to laugh! The company I worked for is gonna DIE!!!! And all I can do is sit here and laugh!
Tags: airport, australia, blog, car, company, forum, issues, move, moving, notice, quarantine, sold, Vegas, Visa, viva, website, work, write
Posted in Thoughts, Tidbits | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 9th, 2008
Woke up at 3am to drive Ty to the Pet Transport place. Actually, it was just Carol’s house but it was hard enough leaving him. This will be my first night without my boy and it’s gonna be a bit tough. I keep expecting to hear his toenails on the tile floor or feel him licking my leg. 30 plus days will be tough going for me. Here’s a few shots of his last days in the United States.
Carol called me this evening to let me know he’s doing just fine and that everyone loves him. But of course! he’s the greatest!! 
I’ll miss you Ty-Ty… see you soon baby boy! Mumma loves you!
Tags: airport, australia, crate, flight, fly, pet, pug, transport
Posted in Thoughts | No Comments »
Thursday, April 3rd, 2008
I got the quote from the Pet transport place. Crazy insane!! Total cost would be $1800! Come ON! I could get him there for $900!
Here’s a quote direct from the email:
SERVICES PROVIDED TRANSIT LAX:
Veterinary Services: $94.00 (Final Exam and completion of Australian Health Certificate A document by one of our USDA accredited veterinarians.)
USDA Government Endorsement of Veterinary Import Documentation (Vet Certs A/B) and Security Sealing of Travel Crate/s: $278.00
Transportation from boarding facility to LAX Airport via USDA facility for travel crate security sealing prior to evening departure (also includes delivery in morning of documents to USDA office): $130.00
Travel Crate Modification (includes rear panel ventilation, 6 USDA security seal receptacles and 2 oversize water containers with refilling funnel): $10.00, 1 crate/s, see below.
Booking & Air Travel Charge (airline fees) LAX-SYD: $762.35 [IPT, INC. AIRLINE DISCOUNT RATE] (based on 1 ea. 32×22x23 inch Model #400 Vari Kennel/s or similar brand to be provided by owner* )
Import Administration and Counseling, and Coordination of the above, Priority Expedite: $545.00 (Includes review and corrective instruction, as required, for work previously done, and organization and oversight of work yet to be done, by your own USDA accredited veterinarian in complying with the import requirements.) Total Estimate US Dollars: $1819.35 (based on 1 ea. 32×22x23 inch Model #400 Vari Kennel/s or similar brand to be provided byowner)
It’s Thursday and I feel extremely hopeless. I told them to send me the registration form but I don’t have THAT kind of money… I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Tags: airport, australia, barrel, cost, crate, crazy, export, facility, fees, flight, government, import, insane, instruction, LAX, money, New Zealand, pet, quote, registration, robbery, security boarding, travel, USDA, vet
Posted in Ranting | No Comments »
