Chapter 2 - Getting here, battling jet lag and easing into Aussi life!

Phew, made it! Australia, Brisbane, and the Sunshine State – you can say that again. I could get used to this weather. After a long and patience testing twenty-seven hour flight - where sleep was prevented due to close quarters, multiple time zones and screaming children – we touched down into Brisbane International Airport. Twenty-three degrees at 8pm, something I have never encountered before. Grabbing my bag and passing through customs glitch free, I walked through the arrivals doors scanning the area for the sight of my dad. There you are, phew! It was great to see him after six years. He hasn’t changed except for a little less hair on top haha! And I’m still taller which I’m far too happy about. We head for home.

Butterflies invade as we approach the house. It’s the eve of my sister’s birthday and she doesn’t know I’m coming. Ek - I may be more excited than she is. I can hear the dogs’ barking as my dad opens the door. She’s grown taller but it’s the same little girl I met 8 years ago. Hugs and some tears on her part. More hugs. Some food and a quick catch up before I crash for the night.

The next morning I met my youngest sister, for the first time. She knew who I was but it took the day yesterday to get used to me. She spent breakfast in silent observation as if she couldn’t quite believe I was there. By the afternoon we were playing Guess Who?, Snakes & Ladders and Connect Four and in the evening I read her a bedtime story. She loves having someone new to play with.

Earlier on in the day, dad and I took a little drive up to Mt. Coot-tha lookout which is close by. Spectacular views: - you get a panoramic view of the whole city of Brisbane – the river, its suburbs and the mountains in the distance. I felt in awe of its beauty. Time kind of stood still up there. Despite being a tourist spot, it’s a very peaceful place. It’s nice to play the tourist for a change rather than serving them.

That's dad in the last one!

We also stopped at the Planetarium and had a look inside. It's named after Sir Thomas Brisbane. Yep, that's guy that the Brisbane is named after. It was full of school kids so we didn't stay too long.

It’s been beautiful weather so far as you can see from the pictures. Palm trees are a new thing for me, as is the temperature. Today it is approaching the 34 mark and we are expecting a bit of a thunder and lightning storm and then the weather will get a bit cooler tomorrow! This morning was my youngest sister’s Christmas show and after that dad and I went to his squash match. Who knew dad could run?! Haha! He’s a good player and has been playing for the last eight years. We’ll go next Friday too for the final match. Anyway, that’s all for now. Hope all is well wherever you are.

Love Tasha

Chapter 1 - Terminal 2.

I'm sitting here, in a sleepy departure lounge waiting to check in. To set the scene – passengers are sprawled out on couches, hoping to catch forty winks before the stress of travelling begins; others peruse their laptops and other technological gadgets, perhaps checking themselves in on Facebook (as I will probably do myself shortly) to prove to others that we do have a life; the lazier of us stare into space and there is one gentleman reading an ACTUAL book! It’s so dark outside that all you can see is the reflection of the terminal and the blinking  of Christmas lights outside. There is a Christmas tree in one corner. I haven’t slept since last night. I'm wondering how long I'll be able to maintain this state of being awake.

I have been planning this trip since March. It’s been a long yet short wait – if you've ever been looking forward to something you'll agree and understand that. I still can't believe I'm here. FINALLY! And so, with time to spare (as I'm ridiculously early, as per usual), I've decided that I would set up this account of my travels in Australia and any other corners that life takes me. Having left my Irish family behind (tears and hugs in abundance), I'm off to see the Australian contingent! It feels very surreal to me - I've been planning it for so long I suppose so it won't hit me until I get to London to my connecting flight which will take me to Malaysia and then on to Australia.

I haven't seen my dad and sisters in years and one sister I have yet to meet so this trip is giving me the opportunity to reconnect with them and to have some well-deserved fun. I’d be lying if I said I wasn't excited – haha! I'll have to learn the lingo, I suppose. And there are BBQ plans afoot for my sister’s birthday at the weekend so I'll get some photos up from that in my next post. 

I hope, whoever you are – family, friend, foe or complete stranger, that you will enjoy reading these little anecdotes. Even though I may be away for a while you will be able to see what I get up to and keep in touch. Enjoy and happy reading! Love Tash