Kangaroo steak

Today during our shopping we decided to try a kangaroo steak. Kangaroo meat is normally sold here as beef back at home, also looks like it. After short study I found out that it is also extremely healthy, contains very little fat and contains lots of antioxidants and anticancer items. Well, let's get to cooking. I read some recipes and they say everywhere, be careful of the cooking time and give it maximum of 5 minutes on each side, otherwise it will lose all the water and gets horrible chewy. So I stick with the recipe. In 10 minutes steaks were just slightly medium, but Slavka refused to eat it, so I let them cook a bit more. As a result they lost little bit of softness and suppleness, but at least I did not have to eat everything on my own. The taste - very good, I can recommend it and each time a visit come here I will also make one;)

The Australian Day

Although the half of Australian Open is over and Hantuchova lost some time ago, we all enjoy today because it is a day off and we have the Australian Day. The whole day there are different programs and performances and there will be a huge fireworks tonight. In the afternoon we will meet with Bjorn and some friends on the opposite side of the river as we live.

We hurried from the the apartment sometime around four so we managed everything just fine. Firework is scheduled for 8:00 in the evening, that is here already long time dark. Until then we just sit around and picnic on the grass in the park, along with hundreds of other people. In the evening after dark, the half-hour fireworks starts, one of the greatest they ever known had. It's really beautiful.

During the fireworks was a moderate storm and I managed to capture the lightning - here is the photo;)

Salsa latino in park

Another thing that is totally great here. Each district organizes the whole year many events, some of them are also completely free. And so it came to us to go to look for a concert of Latin American music in a nearby park. We met there with Bjorn and Kathi, and their other friends. The whole thing was so simple and yet great. Musicians played and lot of people were sitting around the park on the grass, everyone brought a blanket and picnic and we were eating many things, talked and in addition listened to salsa. Well what more one could wish on Sunday evening. These concerts are now held here each week until the end of February, so I hope to still find some time and we will go there to make another cultural living;)

House searching continues...

Jetty in Esplanade

During the time I was chasing after a car, Slavka spent time inspecting houses and flats. Overall, the first two weeks have been quite exhausting. First I had jetlag and I slept like three to four hours a day until I got out of the time zones shift. In the office I had to work, I had training for the new project that I've already been assigned to. This is a nice, small project for customers in New Zealand, so I'm quite looking forward, I would like to go there to have a look. But every evening after work I once again turn on the computer and till late night we are looking for apartments and cars.

old and new together

We set the maximum price to $400/week hoping that we will manage to find something at this price level. But I do not know, whether just a new year is a good time to search for lease, because after the Christmas break it looks to me there is a very great demand, probably greater than sometimes in July. But nevertheless we started looking for one.

park in the center

Slavka did all visits mainly because I could not leave the work. But it all works here completely otherwise than at home. Inspection is mostly in the morning around ten, at lunch or around four PM. Overall it takes maximum 15 minutes. At first we thought it's too little time but it turned out that even 5 minutes is enough. Either it looks ok, or it looks terrible. So the decision is always quite quick.

church and skyscraper

Slavka went for a few inspection of apartments quite close to the city center, but it is true that apartments here are terribly tiny. Two-room apartments with such a small bedroom that it barely fits a bed and that's all. Therefore we decided to look either for a flat, which will at least look a bit ok, or some small house. Properties here are always in a complex, which is either the some of apartments or houses together.
But we were very surprised how many people come to such a inspection. 30 or even more at the same time. Anyone have a quick look and if it's ok, the another process starts. From agency you need to be taken quite comprehensive form to be completed and brought back to the real estate agency. You need also to pay one week the rent in advance. In the event that landlord chooses us, this deposit is used to cover the first week rent. But in the event that after successful selection by landlord we decide not to take the apartment, the deposit shall be forfeited to his benefit. This way they taking that people do not make many requests at once and then you just choose what suits them best. It is all up side down here, the landlord here is more protected as a tenant.

men at work:)

We found a pretty nice apartment in a great neighborhood and we also sent the application and paid a fee. The application form is also very interesting. Everything has to be filled in, even the numbers of shoes. No joke. The form has about 10 pages, mentioning the previous employment, residential address, at least two references to people, contacts at work, your friends, family. Then as much indentification documents as possible must be enclosed, such as passport, driving license, credit cards, insurance card, and of course, document the credit, so attach salary slips, bank statements and so on. The more data you enclse the more likely to be choosen by landlord.

another church - here are many of 'em

hm...church ??? :)

After two days the lady wrote us that unfortunately they did not select us. At this time we've seen quite a few flats and houses. We found that since we are new to Australia, it is very difficult to get local references and get a lease. Thus, at the end of week we acted. Slavka was on visual inspection of a house where it happen to be just three people, so we decided to take action. Chance of us beeing selected from among the three was quite high since it is possible that no one except us have placed application form to this house. And that was the case. We have brought the application form, paid and already after 15 minutes they called me from real estate agencies that they give us a chance to live in the house. Hooray, we did it.

no, this is not a church, it is a restaurant

Our house is located about 10 km from the center, I neet about 20 minutes to get to the work by car which is quite nice. It's a huge bulgalow, we have a double garage, living room together with kitchen, bedroom with private bathroom and two more rooms, to this one more bathroom and separate toilet. Outside a small terrace and that is everything we need for now. Perhaps too much.
I am satisfied, only Slavka has to get used to that we are a little bit further to the city center than before. Otherwise it is ok. The only bug is that there is a very weak GSM signal, so we have not good internet, which we have so far only through the phone. But I plan to get an ADSL2+ line so I hope after that it will improve.

My Work, Looking for a car and house

First days at work are generally very cool. I read lots of the documents and manuals, handbooks and quality internal directives. Well boring. But what I really like here is that we have fruits every day. On the table is always a great bowl of different fruits - bananas, oranges, apples, plums, peaches ... yum. This was truly at home not at work. Slowly I'm getting to know my new colleagues, as they all were on holiday.

park in the city with kangaroos;)

The second day at work is interesting only in that my manager has came to me and asked me: "Are you waiting still for some luggage what you had sent from home, some boxes and stuff?" I stared at him and said, "No, we already have everything with us, why?" So he gently suggested that T-shirt and jeans, what I am wearing are not entirely in line with our dress code and that I should wear nice pants and shirts. It is true that in the employment contract I have written that jeans and T-shirt is not considered suitable attire, well somehow I didn't really pay attention to that, thinking it's just pro forma. Obviously not;) So the first thing I will do for now is to go somewhere to purchase some shirts and pants so I fit into the team.

Bjorn has pointed out that the best will be if we buy a car so we can quickly move around and look for housing, because public transport here is not the best organized. It works here on the so called star principle;) (I just invented it). In the middle is the city and around are diverse neighborhoods. From every district you get quickly to the center and back, but nothing goes between the districts, so you need to go mostly to the center and from there again somewhere else, what really may take a very long time. We have 4 weeks to ensure that we find our own house, and already I feel that it will not be as easy as it looks.
Next days I was busy mainly searching for the car. I found an Opel Corsa from the year 2005, 3-doors, looked quite ok, so I told myself I will go to check it out. Bjorn offered to take me there by car, for what I am really grateful to him, otherwise it would me took maybe an hour to get there. We came to the bazaar, the car looked at first sight very well, except for the sports exhaust (it is a 1.4 petrol ...) and one rear wheel had another pattern than others. So we had a test drive and there it all began. The car had really very sporty sound, it was roaring there as in a formula one. In addition, the white smoke started from the exhaust, so we returned, the guy looked at it and told us they possibly forget to install some seals. So we thanked and that was the end of my car shopping.

Next days in a similar way, I focus at work primarily on seeking a car and looking also for some apartments where we could potentially live. I found another pretty nice Corsa and I went to see it. This time it was for Bjoern more or less on his the way home and  he drove me again and we checked the Corsa together. But immediately I noticed that it has a crack on the windshield and the trade was over. Only the salesman made my angry, because he didn't give this info directly to advert, otherwise I wouldn't even go there. I had the idea to buy a car at least year from 2005 for 6000 dollars, but it seems that I have to add something. We checked quite a few cars but at that price there are just old ones. Finally we ended up in the bazaar, where they had Kia Cerrato, 2.0i sedan for the 8000. I went therefore for a ride, it looked quite nice. When we returned I started to bargain price with a guy, but it was just one of the few dealers who don't bargain. Because otherwise everything is a bargain here, even in store you can haggle the price with the salesman. So I let it be because I was not looking so far for a car at that price level, so I did not know what the good price is.

But next day I found lots of Kias on the internet, unfortunately, the first has already been sold but another, hatchback in gold from r.2007 looked very promising. Dealer came to me up from Rockingham, what is 50 kilometers south of Perth, we looked at the car, everything seemed fine. Price was 7900 and I managed to reduce it to 7600 and we agreed. Since it is already Friday, next week they have yet to really check it in the service, I will get new tires + complete inspection and timing belt replacement. So I get the car as new next Thursday. I can not wait.

First weekend

We spend the first weekend resting. From time zones I'm a bit up side down, I'm wake up at night and by day I sleep, I wake up in the morning at five, well completely vice versa. This weekend we were choosing go to CBD to buy  some food in larger and therefore also cheaper supermarket, Woolworths. There are three such groups, the other two are Coles and IGA.

The city center is quite tiny but, a few streets with a few shops and that's all. We went also to our bank - NAB, identify ourselves with passports that we're already here so they can give us our credit cards and also activate internet banking. The process is simple, the lady is very nice and explained everything nicely.

the view of the "city" from the opposite park

On Sunday we were on a small walk in the center, since we live right on the edge of Swan River. I must say that one thing I really like here, it's lots of green, as everywhere there are. Everywhere there are beautiful lawns, trees, palms, green, well gorgeous. Walking in the promenade to the Esplanade - what it is, we do not know, but quite nice to look at the photo;). 

Esplanade

First day at work

Instead of waking up in the morning we wake up around half past ten, quick breakfast and I call Brian, we're ready to go to our company. He came for us and we are in a moment at the office. Well .. I must openly say that I expected something bigger, it's such a tiny company. In the Perth there is just - boss, an accountant, a salesman, two engineers (also with me), a servisman, head of service and head of engineers (no, not a one on one, employees are also in other cities in Australia, it it only here so few of us), two administrative people, and two consultants. Altogether 12 people. Well, but surely will grow over time.
In the work finally I meet my former colleague from the Invensys, who really pushed me here, so I am glad at least someone I know and someone who will help us with the introductory stuff. The first day I got a brand new phone, iphone 4S and also notebook. What the world to live! Bjoern carries us home from work (that's the colleague ...) because Brian already disappeared somewhere in the meantime. The evening passes quickly, we are tired and falling asleep in a while.

Perth - our first steps

The weather is quite nice, something around 30 degrees, slightly cloudy. Just to regain our luggage, and we can go. I hope our boss is waiting in the arrivals hall. Baggage luckily come up all trouble-free, no lost and founds, hooray. It only remains to pass through immigration. In the aircraft we completed the form, where it was necessary to declare, whether or not we take food, water, medicines and other things. Because here they take it pretty strict (at least we thought), I'm honest in writing that we carry some medicines and tea. Hence all the questions which I should answer yes, I answer no, because have something with us.

But on immigration it's cool. Lady looks at the ticket and discovers I carry something that I should not have. So I say I have some tea and painkiller medications. She just smiled and deleted from NO to YES, that I should not stress, it is ok. Okay. Outside is just a dog to sniff, whether or not we have some drugs and that's all, we are in Australia.
But Brian (boss), is nowhere so I call him, where he has lost and whether or not he will come to pick us up. He was late for a while but 10 minutes later, we get into his car and and let's go to the city and our apartment. Completely jet lagged from the time delay I wonder when I can fall asleep.
Brian says that on Friday I don't need to go to work, but I don't want to spend another day doing nothing so we finally agree that when I wake up, I call him and he will come for me. Actually, for us, as he offers Slavka that if she wants, she may come to see how it looks at us, at HIMA Australia.

And first impression from the Perth? The whole city is in green and has million houses-bungalows. Only the city center has a few skyscrapers and that's all. So we are beginning to understand what means that it is so sleepy - sleepy town. Yes, it is here like a huge village. Although there is almost 2mil people, but it's over a huge area, because everyone wants to live in a family house.

And we are at home. One room apartment in a a large complex with the pool, gym, pool tables. Gorgeous room with everything you need. Washer, dryer, bathroom, kitchen with the utensils, bed, living room with plasma TV, balcony. Well, it will be easy for us to get used to this environment change;)

It is evening, hunger comes;) so we go down to the nearest supermarket to experience the first shock from the Australia. Everything here is brutally expensive compared to what we were used to. We bought some ready made food for microwave, something to drink and bread and we paid almost 30 Euros. So this will be even more interesting, as we plan something to save and not spent all for food and housing. Well, let's see...

Dubai Airport

Dubai Airport is megalomaniacal in all directions. After all, as everything what here have here. We pass among the many shops and park right in the next VIP lounge for business class. But with the Vienna's, it can not compare in any way. While in Vienna there was a medium size room, here is something enormous huge. Zones for sleeping, a huge area for eating, a few restaurant tables, showers, even with the Fitness Zone and massage (but those are not included, unfortunately). But the rest is free and it's great. Countless great salads, cakes and savory, coffee and juice. I think in the aircraft we won't eat that much:).

It is 2:30 am. Regular service Dubai Perth (departure 2:55) is about to start. Getting to the already familiar, the aircraft is equipped just like the last one. So we expect  the same as before, except that flight will take a bit longer, about 10 and a half hours.
Overfeeding from the airport, there is no place in our stomach for other delicacies served here, so just eating something small and going to sleep. With flight over time zones we will skip another 5 hours and instead of the theoretical 12:30 we are arriving about half past five PM in Perth.

So this is the start:)

Wednesday, 04/01/2012, 8:00 am. We are finally, after endless packing suitcases more or less ready for departure. The day "D" has come, the day of departure to the opposite side of the world. So far I look forward to new adventures and experiences, I hope it will last after arrival;)
Even before departure I have to go into town to pick up some gifts online, which Slavka ordered but because her's packing and forthcoming always take a little longer, then this nice duty came out for me. On the other hand I do not have much to do, at least time will pass quickly.

We are departing from Vienna at 14:35 and Manazko has voulenteered (so Thanks a lot) to take us to the airport. We are a pretty decent-packed, 105 kg together. Since we fly business class, we have quite good possibilities to take a lot extra kgs, otherwise I do not know, really do not know. I also thought it will be easy to pack up to 50kg, eventually it turned out, nothing except clothing has fit inside. So all other things remained nicely at home.
So, it is 10:00, Manaz calls that he is down here ... watching but truly can not see anyone ... so I ask where down here? And here with a smile I find that instead of Slavka's Mother flat Manaz came to our apartment. Well, it is quite success he found at least some address, because over six months we swapped 3 places. So I gave him coordinates to Slavka's Mother and the last phase begins, take the shoes and leave.
And here we are at the airport, so it is really going to happen;) We took our luggage, Manaz went with us to the check-in, if we happen to have more extra kgs so he would take it home. Well they did not us really bothered at all so great. Last words, last hugs and we are on our own.
In Vienna we have a VIP lounge, as we are flying business, it's pretty good. We still have two hours to departure so at least we may be able to eat and drink something for free;). It's here like a small café with a small snack bar, where a few bites to eat and some alcoholic / soft drinks are.

Finally departure. Boarding among the first in our business class, I knew what to expect, because once I already flew with Emirates Business. Well here it is cool. Huge seat, comfortable, reclining on a bed, big telly for everyone and the amount of drink and food to select. Simply amazing, 6 hours of flight to Dubai will certainly pass quickly . At first we drink a champagne and juuu, we can start.
Flight progresses just fine, nothing special happened. We are using a cool service from flight attendants and they care about us very much. We have lunch served on normal plates with cutlery, no plastic joke. Then I just watched a movie and soon we are arriving to Dubai.