Working holiday visa, new jobs and homesickness.

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Singapore

So I know it’s been a while since our last blog, many reasons for this and all will be explained. When we arrived back at The Ozi Inn after our aborted attempt at WWOOFing everyone was pleased to see us and it felt great to be back. We had heard before we left the first time that the hostel was changing ownership and Raff the current manager had handed in his resignation. Mark and I had previously spoken about what work we could do and because of Mark’s visa status we knew that working at a hostel would be perfect for us. We had a chat with Raff and he immediately said we would be perfect and would gladly arrange a meeting for us with the new owner when he arrived.

The next decision was where would I go to get a working holiday visa, decisions, decisions. I have a “no further stay” clause on my 12 month tourist visa which basically means, while I am in Australia, I can’t have any further visa’s issued, so in order to switch to a working holiday visa, I had to leave Australia. With so many beautiful destinations such a short distance away! Mark and I wandered into the city and checked out some deals but as the kids school holiday was fast approaching the prices were too high for both of us to go away for a week. Bali flights were around $190 before we went to Jurien Bay but now they were $300 a flight and accommodation prices had increased. I would have been quite happy to spend a week lazing on a beach by myself but Mark wasn’t so keen for me to spend a week in an unfamiliar country on my own. So we needed a new plan. Friends of ours had recently moved to Singapore and we had briefly caught up with them there on our journey out to Australia, a quick e-mail to see if they would mind a house guest for a week and I booked a flight!

I arrived in Singapore just a few days later, it was so humid so I jumped in a taxi to Liz and Russell’s flat, was lovely to see them both and their apartment was beautiful. With no time to waste, and a cold beer in one hand I popped open the laptop and applied for my visa. Liz and Russ were great hosts, I enjoyed spending time with them and was so grateful to be sleeping in a bed finally, we hope that one day we will be able to return the favour! Liz and I had a great time at the botanical gardens although, the humidity made it uncomfortable for both of us. Those of you who like orchids check out the slideshow.




I constantly checked my e-mail for confirmation of my visa, we had been given so many time scales from different people from 2 hours to 6 days for processing and I was panicking that if it took longer I would have to change my flight and might struggle to get a flight back. The visa took 4 days to come through, I was so relieved that I had it and Mark and I could pursue work in the hostel for cash as well as accommodation.

With my feet back on Aussie soil, we were anxious to see the new owner. In the meantime I applied for temporary positions in property management and recruitment. I had a lot of calls and even lined up some interviews but I knew that if the hostel job was offered to Mark and I we would be unable to turn it down. Raff set up a meeting at 2pm with Sunny the new owner who had flown in from Singapore to complete the business transaction. Our conversation with Sunny was brief, we told him what we expected as a salary and after a bit of negotiation we shook hands on the deal. Must be the easiest interview in the world!

So since July 1st Mark and I have been running a backpackers hostel together. Sunny has upgraded equipment in the hostel and has plans for more improvements every time he comes back. Running a hostel is not for the fainthearted, you’re faced with people from all walks of life, some have tried to test our patience and I usually let Mark do the reprimanding  The first thing we did was go out and buy a bed. We got a great deal and there really is nothing better than crawling under your very own duvet and laying your head on brand new pillows and fresh sheets.

We work 7 days a week from 7:30am to 11:00pm every night. We start by sweeping and mopping all the communal areas, cleaning the bathrooms, empty the ashtrays, doing that laundry, checking people in and out, airport pick-ups, sorting out the pancake breakfast, all the paper work and accounting at 11:00pm we clean the kitchen and our day is done. Every day is different, there are so many jobs to do or something new will crop up that we need to sort out. Time off together has been almost impossible but we do get out if it’s just nipping out for a bit of dinner or to get some shopping it’s great to get away. We have now employed one of the long termers to complete the daily clean and run the reception on Saturday and Sunday mornings so we get a break every week. We both have some great friends here, so we feel very lucky, we also know that when they do move on it will also be sad. You may remember Mark and I travelled South for a week with a guy called Richard. He recently left the hostel to head north, it was a sad day, a few tears were shed by me and some other close friends, eventually all our close friends will leave but we’re glad they came.

Sunny is in Singapore now and he leaves us to it, he’ll be back in a couple of weeks to see how things are and make more improvements to the hostel. He’s introduced some really good things to the place that have pleased the long term guests. We now have regular hostel meals which means anyone can cook for the whole hostel and the hostel takes the cost and Tuesdays everyone pays $2 and the hostel adds $50 on top to get lots of Dominos pizzas! Everyone loves it! So it’s been busy, busy, busy! I’ve already cooked beef stew for 40 guests and Mark cooked a lovely chicken curry for everyone complete with naan bread. On top of that we arranged a poker night for everyone, 1st prize was a free night. Mark and been coaching me on and off for a couple of weeks and I’d played about 5 games in total. We had two tables, experienced and beginners, just for fun I joined the beginners table and there were 14 people in total. Once the two table had shrunk to an acceptable size for our dining table the beginners that were left joined the experienced players. The pressure was really building now, I was still in and wasn’t going to be bullied by the pros. I got dealt a pair aces, I played them well and managed to get one of the pros to go all in, it was bitter sweet to see his face when I turned the two pretty black aces on the table! Victory! Out of 14 players I came 2nd, I didn’t mind losing, I didn’t need a free night!

It’s not been plain sailing I have been terribly homesick recently, sometimes it’s a fleeting moment other times it can go on for days. It’s wonderful to see my family on MSN messenger or Skype or hear their voices on the phone. I’m lucky to receive e-mails from friends and family too but sometimes all you want is a hug from your Mum and Dad or a kiss from your cute nephew or to see your niece take her first steps. I know this is a decision Mark and I have made together and I still know it is the right one but, I do miss everyone very much. If you’ve read this far thank you, it means a lot to know that you are out there no matter how far away. 

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Photos

Looking pretty!
A lovely girls night out with Liz in Singapore.

Culinary curry skills!
Mark cooks up a treat in the hostel.

See ya.
A sad day when Richard hit the road. Mark, Richard, Carina, James & Me.

Holding all the cards.
My wonderful aces that got me to the final 2 on the big poker night.

Comments

[Pat Matson]

Miss You
We miss you too. Saw your dad last night. Party and Linda and Dennis Lade's. Drank too much stayed up to late. Slept in this morning. Still no job in sight. Oh well. Sounds like you both are doing well. Enjoy the experience. Love you Bob and Pat