In Flight…

“By the time you read this on Friday night I’ll be jetting my way back to Australia via Hong Kong and Singapore”.

Hahahaha – famous last words!

All my flights have been cancelled, changed and rebooked all within the last few days. Not just one leg, but every leg…

I’m now leaving early Saturday morning.

Instead of a direct flight to Hong Kong, I’m now transiting via Vancouver.

My current flight path now also takes me into Brisbane from Singapore via Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.

Six of one, half a dozen of another as far as I’m concerned. It’s going to be one big adventure anyway. 🙂

It’s difficult to imagine that I’ve lived in Toronto for some 32 years and now decided to return to land of my birth.

Clearly the biggest short term regret is that I won’t be able to see Zach and Sam in the near term.

This got me thinking…

Actually it’s been on my mind for a while now, and that is to write a love letter to each of my kids. Not for reading now per see, but for the future.

I don’t know why this has been at the forefront of mind, perhaps it’s the distance that will be between us for the next little while.

All I can say is that it’s been crystallising for a little while now…

My love letter to them will be share how I feel about them and their importance in my life, but also a good smattering of advice and guidance as all fathers want to do.

The things I’ve learned over the course of my life if you will.

I’m hoping that this will be something that they will keep and pass down to their families in time.

I must admit I’m a tad nervous about the new adventure I’m about to embark upon.

In my mind’s eye I likely have a romanticized view of Australia.

The big question in my mind is – will it meet my expectations?

I know the weather will be infinitely better (well, less cold and snow at least).

I’m also sure that there will be other things that I didn’t expect along the way that I will learn which I will be happy to share via my weekly essay. 🙂

There has been one very interesting observation I’ve made as I’ve begun my transition.

I didn’t realize that all things are centred around having a local mobile phone number.

This includes basic starters like opening a bank account, or applying for MediCare, house insurance etc.

I can’t even apply for a Tax number (equivalent of a Social Insurance Number) until I have a mobile phone. Having a home is one thing, but no application can be completed without your mobile number…

I guess your mobile number is actually your universal identifier no matter where you go.

However, to get a mobile phone number you have to be in the country.

So much for my pre-planning!

To get around this I applied for a Sim card to be sent to my sisters address. Yes, I used her mobile number (yeah, you can’t get a Sim Card without a mobile phone number either)…. WTF?

At least when I’m in quarantine in Brisbane I can get my sister to send me the Sim Card so I can get started.

Once I have the card I then have to call the supplier (Vodafone in this case) and have them provide me with my new mobile number.

Seems a bit backwards doesn’t it?

I guess this just highlights just a couple of the “first world” hurdles that I will have to deal with as I begin reestablishing my life back in Australia.

The good thing is that at least I will have experience for all these pitfalls and challenges for when Zach and Sam do come down to Australia and begin settling in.

It looks as though Zach will be spending next year in the UK undertaking his masters program before heading to Australia.

Although he is adamant that as soon as he finishes school in June and he graduates from his undergrad then he’ll be on a plane to Brisbane.

Sam moved her next coop work term to January so it would coincide with joining Zach in June when they come down to stay.

I’m hoping that we have a vaccine or that cases have dwindled to a point whereby air travel is less difficult than it is today, and that Australia has once again opened its borders.

Australia has done a great job at minimizing the spread of Covid with low case numbers across the country.

Queensland has only had 1,185 cases reported in total with 6 deaths and no new cases for a couple of weeks now.

In fact, this week the State of Origin rugby clash between New South Wales and Queensland was played in Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium to a full house (52,500 seats).

Once I’m done with my 14 days of quarantine I’ll be able to move directly into my new place (sans furniture for at least a couple of days). 🙂

It will be great to get home again and begin settling in to what I’m sure will continue to be a huge adventure!

Until next week

Ciao!