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After flying from Auckland to Brisbane yesterday, I had a bit of confusion in the Airport. Brisbane has two separate terminals, one for international and one for domestic. After arriving, I had to go through customs and then collect my baggage. Next I had to figure out how to get to the domestic terminal. Soon enough I found out there was a bus, and had to exchange my US dollars for the AUD. USA should also take note on the AUD, colorful bright with tons of pictures and even a little see through plastic part. Why, not sure but it sure catches your eye.
The bus ride lasted just a few minutes, but that is when I remembered the whole drive on the opposite side of the road thing. Not a big deal, I will just have to get used to it. Upon arrival at my terminal I had to wait a few hours before check in, so I plopped my butt down and took a short nap. Checking in wasn’t bad, basically just handed them my bag and went. Once again I had to pass through customs, and this time they found a utility tool I forgot about in
my bag. Needless to say they took it. I gave them a pat on the back though seeing as they were the first ones to notice it since Boston. As I walked towards my terminal I noticed some renovations on the airport. Nothing drastic, but a few partial walls up here and there. Then I noticed my terminal didn’t exist anymore. So basically I just sat and waited while the seating lounge filled up with the rest of the passengers on my flight. Soon enough, an airline worked came on the loud speaker telling us what to do, and we lined up to board the plane. They walked us down a kinda creeping looking stairway and we eventually were spit out on the tarmac. There sat our plane, and we walked up a set of stairs and boarded ourselves on the plane. Now I realize why that flight was so cheep!
Once on the plane I was immediately comatose, and soon enough woke up to the attendant shaking me awake. We got off the plane pretty quickly, and waiting for me was my boss Daniele. I must mention that the airport was TINY. Just a single small building that
had only 3 walls. The luggage pick up area was just the walkway on the outside of the building. After waiting what seemed like forever for my luggage, Daniele and I left for Arlie beach.
By this point I was pretty tired, but after about .5 seconds on the road I realized I was in Australia. A nice big sign on the side of the road warned about kangaroos and not even a minute later I saw a few dead on the side of the road. Apparently kangaroo are the highest percent of road kill in the area. Our drive to Arlie beach didn’t take too long, but at 7pm it was dark as hell, so I wasn’t able to see much. At the house I met another researcher from Colombia, Guidos Parra and his assistant a german name Katharina. So at this point I am in Australia, working with an Italian, German and Guatamalan. Needless to say the accents are pretty strong.
I fell asleep pretty quickly and was in a coma soon after that. I woke up around 8 to find the other three still in the house. Apparently one mechanical problem led to another and
the car didn’t start, so after taking a shower I joined Daniele in dropping the truck off at a local mechanic. We walked back and I got to see my first taste of the town. Daniele describes it as a tourist mecca and I can see why. Tropical paradise basically. Crystal clear bright blue water, islands, rainforest and shops everywhere. It is also a very mountainous region as well, so the hills are dotted with resorts and houses.
Back at the ‘caravan park’ where we are staying I decided to go for a walk. I now realize that a caravan park is basically a small fenced community with tiny apartments and areas for Rv’s and tents. Also, can I just mention that not only was I awoken by the chirping of parakeets and cockatoos, but on my walk I saw a bunch of other tropical birds including a whole family of wild lorikeets! So awesome 😊
For the rest of the day we are going to hang low and head back for the car at 4 then off to do a bit of grocery shopping. I am really looking forward to my first day out on the water
tomorrow!
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