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Reality VS Expectations

Reality VS Expectations

Old Apr 8th 2005, 3:53 am
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Default Reality VS Expectations

The first time came to OZ either as a tourist or immigrant was OZ beyond your expectations, better then you thought it would be, or below expectations. What things were different then what you expected, for example was the climate cooler or warmer then expected, the beaches and scenery better or worse then expected, The cities larger or smaller then expected.
 
Old Apr 8th 2005, 4:21 am
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Default Re: Reality VS Expectations

Originally Posted by wombat42
The first time came to OZ either as a tourist or immigrant was OZ beyond your expectations, better then you thought it would be, or below expectations. What things were different then what you expected, for example was the climate cooler or warmer then expected, the beaches and scenery better or worse then expected, The cities larger or smaller then expected.
The first time I came to Australia I landed in Melbourne it was march so I had left a cold England and arived to 30 degrees (which at the time felt so hot but now I live in Geraldton 30 degrees is a cool day) I got a bus from the Airport to my Brother in Laws house in St kilda slept for 2 hours then got up to get ready to go to the pub, so out come my summer clothes, I get ready to start my sun tan for the year, wlk out the door and it was about 18 degrees and pissing down with rain. That I was not expecting.

Other than that Melbourne was pretty much what I expected, a beautifull city with what I now think is a great climate
Cairns on the other hand was so much smaller than I'd thought it was gonna be
Perth is cleaner than I expected
The drive from Perth to Geraldton is longer than I expected
The constant sun is a lot harder than I expected
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Old Apr 8th 2005, 5:13 am
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Default Re: Reality VS Expectations

I hadn't expected there to be SO MANY Brits in Perth.
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Old Apr 8th 2005, 5:28 am
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Australia, now I think back 3 years, was pretty much exactly what I expected. The sports were bang on what I expected, that was the No.1 thing I was looking out for. Apart from that, there were no expectations.

I do recall liking what I saw as the weeks went by, and how it just felt right.
I was pleasantly surprised.

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Old Apr 8th 2005, 5:35 am
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Default Re: Reality VS Expectations

I was 5..... I don't remember much.... Mmm, I remember the Maldives though, and the doll I got from grandma before we left

My brother was 3, he got ashtma for the first time, got an asthma attack about 2 weeks in, had to go to hospital



What surprised me last year when we arrived was how much Perth has grown. Joondalup used to be very far, end of Perth, but is now nearer to the middle!!(well, sort of )
That's about it I think. Oh, and all of a sudden there's the tunnel and the graham farmer freeway!
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Old Apr 8th 2005, 5:54 am
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Default Re: Reality VS Expectations

Originally Posted by wombat42
The first time came to OZ either as a tourist or immigrant was OZ beyond your expectations, better then you thought it would be, or below expectations. What things were different then what you expected, for example was the climate cooler or warmer then expected, the beaches and scenery better or worse then expected, The cities larger or smaller then expected.
My very first impression, after getting out the cab in Melbourne CBD, was "arn't there alot of skyscrapers". I'd been told Melbourne was a very European city, so I was expecting more of a London, or Brussels, 4 or 5 story buildings over a large area, not all the skyscrapers. I suppose my initial thought was, "this looks like any american city". It didn't help that I had to sit in a Mcdonalds for 3 hours till my hotel room was available

Once I got out of the CBD though, it was as nice if not nicer than I'd expected. The architecture of the old buildings in Melbournes South eastern suburbs (St Kilda, Brighton, Hampton) was what I had been expecting in the CBD! Quaint victorian 2 storey hotels with ornate railings and all that.


Cheers,
JTL
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Old Apr 8th 2005, 6:29 am
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Just remembered; it was not as hot as I thought it would be, even in summer, yet I didn't know it was going to get so cold down south in the winter.

I asked at the time, "do I need a coat" - I knew it would get cooler, but didn't know it would get as cold as it actually did.

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Old Apr 8th 2005, 6:43 am
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Default Re: Reality VS Expectations

Originally Posted by wombat42
The first time came to OZ either as a tourist or immigrant was OZ beyond your expectations, better then you thought it would be, or below expectations. What things were different then what you expected, for example was the climate cooler or warmer then expected, the beaches and scenery better or worse then expected, The cities larger or smaller then expected.

I first came to Melbourne in July 2000 and having come from Vietnam it was bloody freezing. I spent my first night in Melbourne getting drunk in the Snake pit in the george hotel in St.Kilda. The next day I went for a tour of the 'G' had a look around the city and spent a couple of hours in the casino. I must admit I felt at home in Melbourne instantly and despite how cold it was fell in love with the place. I also took in a couple of AFL games St.Kilda v Geelong at the dome and Essendon V Richmond at the 'G'. Have been back twice since and can't wait to move there
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Old Apr 8th 2005, 7:50 am
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Default Re: Reality VS Expectations

I came way back in November 1979. Sydney was far bigger, busier, more cosmopolitain, multi-cultural and 'in your face' than I expected. It was much more beautiful too.

I'd seen all the photos but they don't do it's beauty justice - I was lucky in that my first view of the harbour was on a gorgeous day, all the jacarandas were out, the 18-footers were racing on the harbour and I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I was amazed that no-one had told me it was like this - I felt like I'd discovered one of the world's best-kept secrets.

I particularly loved (and still do) the fact that you can be driving down a road and you get sudden, surprising glimpses of the water when you least expect it - due to the incredibly complicated coastline and all the little inlets, creeks and bays. Driving over the bridge still gives me a thrill - even after 10 zillion trips.

As for the rest; grotty old Bondi was about the only disappointment though it's not as bad now as it used to be. I was shocked at how small, quiet and old-fashioned some country 'towns' were, but the countryside itself and the coastline was just wonderful. I love travelling anywhere and everywhere here, there's so much diversity and things to see that I can't imagine ever running out of new places to go.

Reality for me most definitely exceeded expectations.
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Old Apr 8th 2005, 8:46 am
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Default Re: Reality VS Expectations

Originally Posted by nickyc
I came way back in November 1979. Sydney was far bigger, busier, more cosmopolitain, multi-cultural and 'in your face' than I expected. It was much more beautiful too.

I'd seen all the photos but they don't do it's beauty justice - I was lucky in that my first view of the harbour was on a gorgeous day, all the jacarandas were out, the 18-footers were racing on the harbour and I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I was amazed that no-one had told me it was like this - I felt like I'd discovered one of the world's best-kept secrets.

I particularly loved (and still do) the fact that you can be driving down a road and you get sudden, surprising glimpses of the water when you least expect it - due to the incredibly complicated coastline and all the little inlets, creeks and bays. Driving over the bridge still gives me a thrill - even after 10 zillion trips.

As for the rest; grotty old Bondi was about the only disappointment though it's not as bad now as it used to be. I was shocked at how small, quiet and old-fashioned some country 'towns' were, but the countryside itself and the coastline was just wonderful. I love travelling anywhere and everywhere here, there's so much diversity and things to see that I can't imagine ever running out of new places to go.

Reality for me most definitely exceeded expectations.

I must admit the first time I saw the harbour it took my breath away
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Old Apr 8th 2005, 8:49 am
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Default Re: Reality VS Expectations

My first visit was a holiday, Life changing as it happens, back in 78,

I came to Visit my cousin, with his parents, He lived in westmeadows, which is about 10 mins from the airport ! My first thoughts were, Isn't it brown, and dry, Then I saw the houses, Isn't there a lot of space, Then, where are the people, Then ain't the cars big, then blimey they are throwing out left over meat to the dog. Then a trip down the 'Old broady' about 200 metres from my cousins house, and one of the roughest pubs in Melbourne. Blimey, the floors made of concrete, .... Wheres the women .....?? People that my cousin didn't know talking happily to us, even in this rough pub. Blokes with tatts shoving each other, and the general cliental being a bit larger than those in england. ...

Affluence, in the size of cars, type of food on the table, space around the houses, and carefree attitude, ie: you take the car, Blimey wheres the question about are you insured ? I bloody luved it, beyond belief, My thougts after the initial culture shock were, 'is this what freedom really is'

all that was before I'd even met my missus !!

There you go Wombat I for one appreicated it.
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Old Apr 8th 2005, 9:02 am
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Default Re: Reality VS Expectations

Originally Posted by wombat42
The first time came to OZ either as a tourist or immigrant was OZ beyond your expectations, better then you thought it would be, or below expectations. What things were different then what you expected, for example was the climate cooler or warmer then expected, the beaches and scenery better or worse then expected, The cities larger or smaller then expected.
When I first came to OZ I stayed in Sydney and had a great time. People seemed friendly enough and the climate not dissimilar to Auckland.

When I came back three years later, and went to Perth, I soon found it totally different: weather was too hot, nightlife sucked, people seemed unfriendly and standoffish by comparison to the Sydneysiders I had met 3 yrs earlier.

Then I travelled a bit around the country, and probably would have stayed over east except my brother lives here in Perth, and was getting married. So I came back here and just got on with my plans to study.

Anyway, if once I finish my degree I was to remain in (or return to OZ) it wouldn't be to WA.

Good idea for a thread wombat
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Old Apr 8th 2005, 10:09 am
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Default Re: Reality VS Expectations

Originally Posted by wombat42
The first time came to OZ either as a tourist or immigrant was OZ beyond your expectations, better then you thought it would be, or below expectations. What things were different then what you expected, for example was the climate cooler or warmer then expected, the beaches and scenery better or worse then expected, The cities larger or smaller then expected.
It was deffinatley the senery and the wildlife that blew me away I was totally gobsmacked, just couldnt believe all the parrots, cockatoos and pelicans flying around.

The downside was I thought it was gonna be hot hot hot and it was bloody freezing I arrived in Perth July stayed till Dec. It was also like little brittain where we were staying.

Kay

Last edited by possoms; Apr 8th 2005 at 10:17 am.
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Old Apr 8th 2005, 10:18 am
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Default Re: Reality VS Expectations

I came here with no expectations and wanting a year off after uni. I had no intention of staying, met the Mrs and left to go back and live in Europe a few years. Came back again because my work was closing and the Mrs fancied a change of job. She is an Aussie so visas weren't a problem.

We could happily live either side of the world.

The first memories were of a Brisbane taxi driver high and screwed up on speed and walking into a pub and seeing cash machines and a bookies. On the wall was a sign saying no singlets and thongs.
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Old Apr 8th 2005, 12:49 pm
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Default Re: Reality VS Expectations

It was only supposed to be a holiday in a string of holidays as I set about seeing the world (though my wife had other plans it transpires )

First experience was 3 hours in transit on the way to NZ but the views of Sydney harbour at dawn were spectacular as we approached.

First time for real was Melbourne and we had the best weather of the 9 weeks in Aus there. The taxi driver from the airport took us down the back streets and I thought for a while we had been kidnapped like that Red Hot Chilli Peppers video.

But the hotel staff were so friendly and the apartment so wonderful this all started there I think.

We took the city circle tram early the next morning and loved the place. If it wasn't so expensive we would probably be heading there rather than Perth.

My other main memory was how unlike the rest of Australia Sydney was. Hectic / unfiriendly / wet and generally like England. though after 3 months living out of a suitcase I may have been getting homesick by then.
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