Continuation from my Crazy (Rich) Asians post, the answer to “it is turn for relaxing trip, isn’t it?” -> Well… it isn’t! Went to Singapore Airlines check-in counter because I couldn’t do Online check-in. Thought it was because I need to show them my Australian Visa. At first, he also couldn’t find the caused, I showed him the screenshot mentioned: ETA… Then it clicked him, the next minutes was a slap into reality for Dom.
- Him: Have you applied for ETA?
- Me: What is that? Do I need to do that? I have a visa
- Him: No, it’s actually for him (pointed to Dom)
- Me: But he’s a German citizen, he doesn’t need any Visa
- Him: It’s not a Visa, more like Singapore Arrival Card only for Australia, UK, Canada – some other countries he mentioned but my mind was elsewhere + you have to pay: 20 AUD
- Me: No, he didn’t and we don’t know how to do it.
- Him: Let me help you, without being Granted, you can’t fly to Australia, it can take 2-3 days but sometimes it takes also 10 minutes.
The guy was soooo helpful, he showed us one by one how to do it without asking us to step away. Dom got confirmation that his application is received, its written he will get a reply within 72 hours, damn! I think he went pale. Fortunately, he came from a First World Country, he got Granted only few minutes after that Email.
No no no, it’s not done. Dom’s phone scanned his bottom passport number where it has more letter than his top right corner. The guy was confused, made a phone call, convinced the people on the other line that even though Dom repeat the process, it would still be the same result. Finally, he accepted it so we could get our boarding passes #Fiuh!
Australia is famous for the Wilderness, well…. it definitely started before we even enter the country 😉
We boarded our flight to leave Singapore, I spotted a familiar face…. “Hi, were you also in the flight from Frankfurt to Singapore?” she recognized me instantly too! The same stewardress! Even though she was assigned to a different cabin section this time, she asked where we were sitting and came over to find us.
We almost got upgraded – thank you for your intention 🙂 She spoiled us with snacks and amenities straight out of Business Class! To top off the coincidence, we discovered her birthday is just one day after mine ~ though quite a few years apart #Alt. We officially closed the Singapore chapter of our holiday with getting new friend: Coral, hope to see you next time ~ definitely text us whenever you have a layover longer than 24 hours in Frankfurt!
What’s even funnier is that before this trip even began, we also made two new Indonesian friends: Nensy and Max, at Dortmund Hbf! #Full circle.
13 Hours later….
Landed at Sydney Airport, timing was perfect! Seamlessly hopped onto Murrays coach heading to Canberra. Two hours into the drive…. Announcement: “Folks, I need to pull over, seems we have engine problem.” Followed by: “Folks, we have oil leaking to the ground, there is nothing I can do other than park here and wait for another coach to pick us up.” We ended up waiting in the Gas Station for about one hour… hunger was seriously starting to kick in!
Wilderness… please let us come home! By the time we finally rolled into Canberra, I was in need for Food asap! Luckily, my sister completely understood the assignment ~ she had foodsssss ready #Plural, such as: Pempek, Kangkung, Ayam Kalasan, Semur, Nasi Goreng, Potato Wedges, Kangaroo Burger, Chips, the list goes on. At her place, we ate relentlessly. We literally had dinner twice: first with the kids at 17:00, then a second dinner for the adults at 20:00 once they were fast asleep #Family Life.
What kind of family activities we’ve done in Canberra?
Had a short hike up a hill where my niece ride her balance bike to see some kangaroos. This was a vital mission because we desperately needed to fix Dom’s first impression of kangaroos ~ the very first one he ever saw was a poor thing resting in peace on the side of the road! Haha. Good news: We were able to mend it! Saw 5 kangaroos!
Checked out Mount Ainslie, Questacon, Old Parliament House where he found Wombat #Hello Relatives! Last but not least: Floriade ~ flower festival from mid of September – mid of October. Way smaller than Keukenhof Amsterdam however it doesn’t mean unattractive, it still are! They have Riesenrad, Carousel, Shows, it’s enough lah. Dom said “I need to have picture where it’s written Floriade, otherwise people would expect it to be on Westfallenpark” 😀
Did we only saw Kangaroos so far? nooo…. at Floriade we also saw Bats! Some Wilderness for my Wombat to mentally preparing him before Alice Spring / Uluru 😉
Thank you Sissy & Schwager for all the foods, I’m convinced I gained at least 5 kg just from staying at your place. See you again in about a week in Adelaide, in the meantime we will continue our visit to Stadt + Wilderness #We will survive! Hey yay!