Very first impression of Oz
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,890
Very first impression of Oz
Never lived there but I first visited Australia in the mid 90s, in the admittedly attractive one-horse town of Toowoomba I couldn't believe they were selling sausage rolls & chips on a blistering hot day at the cricket ground where England were playing a warm-up match. The feller on the gate asked me where I was from. When I said I'd just flown in from Tokyo he said something like 'aww there's loadsa slopes up on the Gold Coast'
Remember a stunning catch from Athers then chatting with an elapsed Pom who told me about the effects of the Oz sun on his body over time. Also got acquainted with the BYO system for the first time that night. Bumped into Darren Gough at the breakfast table next morn asking for his toast to be done with the crusts left on.
Funny the things that stick in your mind.
What was your first memory, first thing that struck you about the country? Brief impressions please.
Remember a stunning catch from Athers then chatting with an elapsed Pom who told me about the effects of the Oz sun on his body over time. Also got acquainted with the BYO system for the first time that night. Bumped into Darren Gough at the breakfast table next morn asking for his toast to be done with the crusts left on.
Funny the things that stick in your mind.
What was your first memory, first thing that struck you about the country? Brief impressions please.
Last edited by expatasia; Oct 15th 2010 at 10:00 am.
#2
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23,400
Re: Very first impression of Oz
I remember BE member - Sam meeting me at the airport and feeling so relieved to see her as we had met before on expat meets in the UK and I remember Gobbyjock letting us stay with her for a month till we found our own place and waiting for us in her house with cold bottles of beer and cider, telling me everything would be OK and helping us organise what we needed to.
Those are my two key memories and ones I will treasure - there are some damn good people out there.
Those are my two key memories and ones I will treasure - there are some damn good people out there.
#3
Re: Very first impression of Oz
I flew into Melbourne...it was the start of April...about 5am, cold & rainy. I was staying with my then OH's parents...I was expecting Melbourne, but we left the airport and turned right. Drove for about 45 mins through brown, flat, bleak land as it was starting to get light before arriving in Lara. It topped out at a grey 12C. In the afternoon we walked down over to the sporting club and drank tiny glasses of rubbish beer and played these things called pokies.
Thoughts? Hmmmm.
Sun came out the next day though.
Thoughts? Hmmmm.
Sun came out the next day though.
#4
Re: Very first impression of Oz
I was almost crying driving to the bayside, Brisbane from the airport. All I could say was "look at all the trees" and thinking shit what have I done!
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2005
Location: Yorkshire - Queensland - NSW
Posts: 843
Re: Very first impression of Oz
The warmth and the clear blue skies and how bright the sun was
#6
Re: Very first impression of Oz
Not good - it all started with the giant mutated Huntsmen that bombarded the airport.
Lucky I had a giant bunsen burner on me.
Lucky I had a giant bunsen burner on me.
#7
Re: Very first impression of Oz
I remember coming out from the airport and thinking Australia is bloody cold and wet! (early July)
I remember my Aunt and cousin picking me up from the airport and driving us all to our accommodation, and me thinking Adelaide isn't like a scene from a western movie like I thought it would be (reading too much BE and looking at pics of Port Adelaide)
I remember walking out to the beach on the first day here and thinking wow
The rest is a blur, and I still feel like pinching myself because I don't actually believe I live in Australia! (always something I wanted to do)
I remember my Aunt and cousin picking me up from the airport and driving us all to our accommodation, and me thinking Adelaide isn't like a scene from a western movie like I thought it would be (reading too much BE and looking at pics of Port Adelaide)
I remember walking out to the beach on the first day here and thinking wow
The rest is a blur, and I still feel like pinching myself because I don't actually believe I live in Australia! (always something I wanted to do)
#8
Victorian Evangelist
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne, by the beach, living the dream.
Posts: 7,704
Re: Very first impression of Oz
Jacaranda trees in full bloom in Brisbane, November 1998. I had never seen them before and I was amazed. I have now planted one in our front yard in memory of that day.
BB
BB
#9
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,890
Re: Very first impression of Oz
Great replies so far - keep 'em coming.
#10
Re: Very first impression of Oz
The very first time we came here I remember thinking, "It's horrible. I don't get what all the fuss is about." That was on the drive from Sydney airport to the CBD. Went on to have a very nice holiday and completely changed my mind about Aus - I did get it by the end.
First time we came here to live I was relieved. We'd taken a long route to get to Aus (via the Us, Fiji and New Zealand - about four weeks, I think) and I was just happy to have finally arrived and be able to start getting on with it all.
The most recent time we flew here to live (again!) it felt like home. Best arrival of them all. Although that journey from Sydney airport is still miserable.
First time we came here to live I was relieved. We'd taken a long route to get to Aus (via the Us, Fiji and New Zealand - about four weeks, I think) and I was just happy to have finally arrived and be able to start getting on with it all.
The most recent time we flew here to live (again!) it felt like home. Best arrival of them all. Although that journey from Sydney airport is still miserable.
#11
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,810
Re: Very first impression of Oz
Never lived there but I first visited Australia in the mid 90s, in the admittedly attractive one-horse town of Toowoomba I couldn't believe they were selling sausage rolls & chips on a blistering hot day at the cricket ground where England were playing a warm-up match. The feller on the gate asked me where I was from. When I said I'd just flown in from Tokyo he said something like 'aww there's loadsa slopes up on the Gold Coast'
Remember a stunning catch from Athers then chatting with an elapsed Pom who told me about the effects of the Oz sun on his body over time. Also got acquainted with the BYO system for the first time that night. Bumped into Darren Gough at the breakfast table next morn asking for his toast to be done with the crusts left on.
Funny the things that stick in your mind.
What was your first memory, first thing that struck you about the country? Brief impressions please.
Remember a stunning catch from Athers then chatting with an elapsed Pom who told me about the effects of the Oz sun on his body over time. Also got acquainted with the BYO system for the first time that night. Bumped into Darren Gough at the breakfast table next morn asking for his toast to be done with the crusts left on.
Funny the things that stick in your mind.
What was your first memory, first thing that struck you about the country? Brief impressions please.
In those days you could travel jumpseat in the cockpit, so I flew over Tassie with the 737 Captain saying to me that it was "Hobbitland" down below, and the landscape really did look magical - this was in the days before the Lord of the Rings films.
#13
Re: Very first impression of Oz
>>In those days you could travel jumpseat in the cockpit, so I flew over Tassie with the 737 Captain saying to me that it was "Hobbitland" down below, and the landscape really did look magical - this was in the days before the Lord of the Rings films.<<
Ah, those wuz the days - before they banned them witches <g>.
Ah, those wuz the days - before they banned them witches <g>.
#14
Re: Very first impression of Oz
my favourite trees in the world, they are stunning. I felt the same way. I also love Wattle and Grevillea trees too, but certainly the purple colours of the Jacarandas are breathtaking.
#15
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,810
Re: Very first impression of Oz
>>In those days you could travel jumpseat in the cockpit, so I flew over Tassie with the 737 Captain saying to me that it was "Hobbitland" down below, and the landscape really did look magical - this was in the days before the Lord of the Rings films.<<
Ah, those wuz the days - before they banned them witches <g>.
Ah, those wuz the days - before they banned them witches <g>.