Touchdown at Sydney (28 June 2006)

27 June 2006 2200 - Arrived at Singapore Changi Airport with my family and Hazel's 2 brothers. Had mixed feelings - both of a '不舍得' and 'looking forward to a brand new life experience' kinda feelings. Before clearing the customs, took quite a number of photos, including the one below:

Bade a tearful farewell to my dear family. First time gg abroad for such a long period of time and think it's inevitable that there is plenty of 不舍得. Dad, Mum, brother and sister, you all have to take good care of yourselves k! Dun worry, technology has made staying in touch so much easier! And I'm just a 7-hr flight away! haha..

28 June 2006 1000 Sydney time
Touchdown! After an uncomfortable 7hr flight on SQ0231, we are at Down Under! A brand new kind of life awaits us all! Hazel, me, Kevan and Max @ Sydney, an Australian city most similar to Singapore (but still better in work-life balance for an auditor). Beginning of winter here; cool 14 degrees with warm sunlight. Able to wear thick, warm and very stylo winter clothings lo! haha.. Look at the jacket I'm wearing, guess how much? Only S$57!



Managed to check into our temporary accomodation (Pacific International) for the next 2 weeks in a hotel suite along Kent Street. Basically, it is a serviced apartment with all the required facilities and appliances (eg. washing machine, dryer, oven, fridge, tv, etc...) for our use. Really wished that we would be able to get a rented apartment like this for our secondment. It is really good. And it is just 1 street away from PwC Sydney (Sussex Street).

(does looks like PwC Singapore @ Cross Street ya?)

First task: Open bank accounts and deposit our '财产'. Opened a joint checking account (no interest) with ANZ and also a savings account which comes with a staggering 5.25% p.a interest rate. The only condition is not to have any withdrawal for the month and at least 1 deposit of more than $10 per month. Incentive for both Hazel and I to save and save!

All thanks to Max's elder sister, Christina's help, we are able to get this done in a short while and she brought us around to sightsee. We had lunch at a Korean restaurant and after which, we returned back to the hotel to rest till around 7pm Sydney time. Dropped by Star City Casino (only one in Sydney) for a while before we hit the road to Woolloomooloo for Harry's pies near Cowper Wharf. The pies are soo famous that they are always highly recommended!


The stall is actually by the roadside and when we arrived there, there were many bikers enjoying the great pies and hotdogs.


Left: Chicken and cheese 'Tiger'; Right: Curry Tiger

From the write-up and Kevan's explanations, adding a 'Tiger' to any pies means: 'Mashed peas + Mashed Potatos + Thick gravy' on top of the pies of your choice. In the cold weather, it is just soo shiok to feel the warm toppings & contents of the pies down your throat... Haha.. Delicious.. Mouth watering? Come visit me and I will make sure you try it! Haha..

Another recommendation: Harry's Hotdog de wheels (Hotdog sandwich with spicy beef and mashed peas and gravy). Couldn't resist trying it but encountered tough competition from Kevan when it comes to sinking the first bite into the huge hotdog sandwich. Haha..


Late night grocery shopping @ Woolsworth before we turn in for the day. Another packed day tomorrow.. Home searching tm with a housing agent. Hope to find one with a good location and good price!