Happy Quarantine

October 3

---

Welcome in Australia!

After a lot of paperwork and waiting from one hall to another hall, we got some papers with an adress: Mantra on Edward, 166 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane QLD

This was it for next 14 days.... At least it sounds `zen`:-)

We took a bus together with three other big families (which seemed to have even more luggage than us!) and we drove through the dark.... We arrived in front of the building: first family got off, a lot talking, sorting luggage, our children got really unpatient.... next family, not us... more waiting,... soon we would know where we had to stay for 14 days.... Thomas urged us to `enjoy` waiting on the bus as long as we could, as we would be stuck in the next place long enough.

And then finally our turn, remaining luggage was collected and put into an elevator, our room code 1303 (a number we would see all the time for the coming days). We received some presents and were asked to join our luggage in the elevator go 13rd floor and lock ourselves in our room 1303.

I asked the women if it would be possible to get out of the room 15min a day for the kids to loose some energy and she said 'no, you can`t ever leave the room, but you will have a 2 bed room apartment, your own kitchen, laundry, bathrooms and a terrace`

I turned towards Thomas and I had tears in my eyes.... of joy and relief! That was the most wonderful news.

So here we are, day 4 already. I share some pictures with your ;-)

Welcome presents

Happy kids, in front welcome presents received from various organizations:

- teddy bears from Australian Red Cross

- a bag with colour pencils & snacks for the kids (and tooth paste from peppa pig which Aiko is very fund of)

- a bag from the Budhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundations with an invitation to travel inwards, meditative texts, info about why going vegetarian,...

- and a dinner bag

Day 2: After sleeping in till 1pm, we shared our location with our employer and we received a lot of good surprises from the Besix Watpac People Team: our work laptops, a local sim-card, 5g internet connection (yipie, hotel internet wasn`t really working), and a package full of typical Australian items with their explanation, a welcome note from the CEO. Tristan loves the Australian Monopoly, where he can buy the airport at which we arrived, )

We felt so welcome!

Views

View from our balcony. As it gets dark at 6pm and we were jetlagged we didn`t see to much light in the first days.

Food

Room service: Lunch and dinner delivery, room 1303, 2 adults, 3 kids.

Anything needed? Call `9` Delivery within 2 hours with a knock on the door. Only open the door after putting masks on (everyone in the room), closing all windows of the apartment, putting exhaust fan on. They are really paranoia that any `bad air` would fly into the corridor. And not to forget. Never cross the line (Chloe did once and saw the lady at the elevator, we were called immediately after).

We get day 2, 5 and 12 (after being tested on day -3 & fully vaccinated). Aiko got an extra test on day 4 because she cought. BUT test are much friendlier than at home (only half as deep as at home)

Kids are not so happy about food, nothing as they used to, they are learning to eat what is on the plate, really not other choice.... ! Every day 5x dessert, snack & chips. Too much for us. Dinner is healthy, but 4 evenings on 5 `chicken, brocoli and sweet potato` is bit too much (different versions though...)

Favourite pass times

Australian monopoly , colouring, opening the daily present of tata Aurore (first thing in the morning!) and playing zoo with it, finishing the 500 pieces Aussi blue sea puzzle, drawing on the window,...

Oh ! And i forgot one favourite pass time: Biking :-)

So lucky there is this company renting indoor bikes to quarantined people., delivered at reception after 1 day. Thomas and I do both 30 minutes a day at sunset.

So far not time to get bored... !

Wait and see ...:-)

Ps: Feel free to leave me a message or comments with your name. Just click on `let`s chat` left under and I am there. See you soon!