First job in Australia

So the last few weeks I have tried as hard as I can to find a job. I've handed out resumes and visited restaurants, bars, regular shops, well basically everyone. I finally got three interviews last weeks. All jobs were positions for sales work.

So after the three first interviews, I got two call backs to a second interview. I was skilled enough to get both the jobs. So I have started for a company that promotes humanitarian organizations, and on Monday I start representing a company called Mission Australia.

It's an exciting opportunity to try something that I've never done before, and to finally make some money here. It could have been quite a short trip unless I found work, as money doesn't last forever.

So now I've got some "home work" to do. I'm reading up on the organization to learn all that they do. It's all in a sales job.

So that is why it's been quiet here for a while, but it might pick up as things progress.
Have a good one! Cheers!

O'Reilly's

O'Reilly's Rainforset Retreat, that's where we headed for on Monday morning. Me, Kym and Anne Berit set off around 9AM (09.00). It was going to take a couple of hours to drive to the location.

O'Reilly's is located two hours south of Brisbane.It's a nice place to have been at. It works as both a day trip or a weekend getaway. Their webpage can be found here: http://www.oreillys.com.au/
But first Kym took us Wine Tasting. It's not exactly what you would do at 10.30AM in the morning. But the place was nice, and most of the wine was nice too. We even got to see turtles.

On the way to O'Reilly's we ran into a wild Kangaroo. Just standing by the road, it was kinda cool.

I tried a new hat (that I didn't buy, because of obvious reasons). 

There is a tale about a plane crashing in the area and the owner of the establishment rescued two of the people in the aircraft. This is a replica of the aircraft.

Then we went for a walk. Which had strange trees.

 
  

We then went on a "sky bridge" probably around 15-20 meters above ground. I was slightly terrified, yet I completed two rounds of the sky walk.

 

After a quick lunch (get it?) we went to Morans Falls Lookout. On the way we found a hollow tree. And there are some good pictures of the waterfall. 

That concluded our trip to O'Reilly's.

Thanks, Kym, for taking us!!

Brisbane Riverfire

This weekend was the ending of the Brisbane Festival. Saturday we headed to South Bank in Brisbane, by the river, to see the fireworks, and the F18's and some Choppers (I believe it was Black Hawks).

When I arrived at 4PM (16.00), the place was all ready started to get packed with people. I think I heard someone say that around half a million people gathered alongside the river and other places to see the fireworks. I spent the day with Kym, Marco, Marius and Becc (Rebecca). Everything is shortened her in Australia, even peoples names.

We stayed and watched the Choppers and F18, and then finally at 7PM (19.00) the fireworks started. It lasted for 25 minutes and was spectacular. I really had a great time this evening. After the fireworks we headed into the city and found a place where October-fest had started.

Bayron Bay

Last weekend I went to Byron Bay. The beach was amazing, the water held a temperature of 20 degrees.
We also went to the eastern point on the Australian mainland, at the lighthouse. I saw whales and had a nice walk down to the eastern point of the Australian Mainland. We saw some people flying in hangliders, no more than a 40 meters above our heads.

 What can be said about Byron Bay? It's a tourist place and is very popular in the summer. It's not a big place, basically only one street and a long beach and the lighthouse. The place will be crawling with surfers and people going to the beach. The place still lingers with some of the "hippie" spirits with people beeing relaxed and easy going. You don't have any worries when in Byron. It's one of the places you just have to go, even if it's just for a day or two.

Brisbane adventures

It's Tuesday, and it's been some days since my last post.
The weekend has been quite eventful, with a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. They had almost everything I was wanting to see of animals. With enything from Dingo, Kangaroo and a lot of Koalas. I was able to hold a Koala, Sea Eagle and a Olive Python Snake.

The wildlife park was amazing. Kym's parents took me to the Brisbane lookout point "Mt Coot-tha" before we traveled to the wildlife park. Pictures are uploaded to the Picasa Web Album.

I met friends of Kym's and a coffee "guru" named Jay (Pronounced "Jai") who is passionate about his coffee. I was served my best coffee to this day. Me and Kym also had a day in South Brisbane and went to Max Brennan (chocolate cafe/store). I also went to the wheel of Brisbane (60meters high).

As for this day I have arranged for my 18+ card, and I've also been able to play at the "Pat Rafter Arena" on the Center Court (Tennis), where the Brisbane International tournament is played every year in January.

Still looking for work and a place to live. Until next time!

Norwegian Church Abroad - Sjømannskirka i Sydney

Today the trip went to Marly, Sydney and with the intention to visit the Norwegian Church Abroad (Sea men's church). With the help of Margrethe, helping me with the address, I got the the church safely. I had a nice walk from Marly to the church. Although the weather today wasn't as good as it has been the last couple of days it was fair. Clouds, with almost no wind in the morning.

I had a nice chat with both employees and with Norwegians using the church as a meeting point. It was very nice and the people was very welcoming. Thank's alot!
I noticed they have some Norwegian food from back home. And they made waffles! Kudos!! =)

Check out the Norwegian Church Abroad

The trip back to Sydney from Marly was not the ideal one. The wind was getting stronger and I wasn't dressed for that kind of weather. I had just wore my shorts and t-shirt, bad idea when I look at it in a retrospect. Cold wind on the way back to the Marly Wharf. The trip is about 35 minutes, and it was raining by the time I got back to the Sydney Qy. Luckily I had taken the train from the Sydney Central and was returning there. Sydney Central is a 1 min walk from the hostel where I'm staying.

 

Tomorrow it's off to Brisbane!

Work and Travel

It's been a few days since my last post. So to keep you updated on how it's been so long, here it comes.
I've not seen any spider, snakes or box jelly fish. Wonder were they are!

I've used the weekend to look around Sydney in some of the more tourist places. Sydney Harbour, The Darling Harbour the Harbour Bridge. The other part of the weekend I have been trying to get adjusted to the time difference. It has not been a big problem adjusting, just needed an afternoon of sleep on Saturday to get my head straight.

Sunday I met with a former foreign exchange student who was in Volda, Veronica. She is now working for the Emirates flight company and was in Sydney for work. She had a day of, and we walk around Sydney taking some nice photos and she was also hunting Geo Cache's. Google it if you don't know what it is.

Yesterday I had my introduction in the Work and Travel experience. We got to know that we need to open a bank account, get our membership with the TAW (Travel and Work) to apply for jobs online and how to create our tax number. I met a danish guy, Andreas, and we went to the TAW and to the Commonwealth Bank together and got things fixed. I still have to apply for my MediCare and get my Tax file number, but I'll guess I'll get that sorted out this weekend.

I also might have to get a certificate, the RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) in order to get some work in bars or places that they serve alcohol. It's a 7hours course with an exam at the end.

My plan for today was to go to the Norwegian Seaman's Church in Sydney (Sjømannskirka i Manly, Sydney) however the church wasn't open. I might try again this Thursday. I'm currently sitting in the Sydney State Library  (Free WiFi), with two new friends from Germany. Marco and Marius, the Germans.

As for my traveling plans, I've got a flight this Friday @ 2 PM to Brisbane. Figured I'd go there ASAP because Sydney is really expensive!!
MANA BAR NEXT!

The Voyage and Sydney day 1

The stay in Abu Dhabi was prolonged by different events. Our flight was not on time, this caused us about an hour delay. In addition there was a medical situation causing more delays. So around 2 and a half hour late, we set off for Sydney. I arrived in Sydney a couple of hours 

Day 1 in Sydney: Went for a City walk around Sydney, with a guided tour. We saw China Town, the Sydney Harbour, The Opera house and the Royal Botanical Garden.

I haven't been having Internet until this morning. I still haven't gotten my phone number, this is on the list of things to take care of today. And also see if i'm heading over to the zoo. There is also the largest IMAX cinema in the World located in Sydney. Might have a look at that during this weekend.

Here are some pictures to enjoy. You can check out the entire album here or click on a picture from the "On the go" in the bottom right on this page.

 

The Forgotten songs, a street with lots of bird cages over the street.

Birds looking for food by the harbor.

The all famous Opera house.

Random bird in the Royal Botanical Garden.