We Arrived

Well after all this time it's hard to believe but we are finally here - surrounded by desert. The plane left on time from Tulla - and after our meal I had about 5 hours sleep - Jesse had about 2 hours. Took off no probs from Abu Dhabi and landed in Bahrain safely about 50 mins later. Jesse then stopped off to buy an abiya (don't know how to spell it yet) and got (as far as nice ones go) a reasonably nice one with swarovski crystals around the sleeve hem and starbursts towards bottom - it's miles too long but I wanted it really really big so that is was cooler - very wise decision as the heat here is really really really hot - but fine at home and at shopping centre and in cars. We then found our way to bus departure point and you can imagine our consternation with our luggage nowhere to be found and a room full of paki's being herded to get onto the assigned mini buses (yes we went on a mini bus full of paki's). The airport workers were great - found our luggage - gave me a chair to sit on and wait - all others had to sit on floor lol........ then into mini bus for our exciting ride across the causeway (NOT) We made it to the 1/2 way point no prob, but with our luggage hold up - we were about the 10th bus along - and only 1 guy processing all these busses across the border into Saudi. 3 very long & hot hours later our bus was emptied into the processing point and then we were all finger printed and scanned etc etc which is fair enough - but then another hour wait until the all clear - then a pull up into the customs point and once again ALL luggage out for the sniffer dogs to do what they do - one took a liking to my pillow :( but must have just been the human smell so no harm done. So once again 4 hours later we are on our merry way to the Al Khobar bus depot (hahahaha -if you could call it that) we drove down very narrow streets filled with paki labourers and old trucks piles of rubbish & building materials - being thoroughly checked out being as we were the only white people to be seen anywhere (and me female & blonde) and once again luggage dumped on side-walk,road,under bus,under feet, anywhere - the paki's just wanted to get going. Jesse & I were a tad concerned about what was to happen and where we were, but then a very nicely dressed arab guy came up to us and held sign for Zlatkikki so you can all imagine the sheer delight of being dumped in the right place. He then bussed us back in the University shuffle to the compound - it is the Al Billahd # 1 compound and a bit aged. but the aircon works in every room so that is main thing. He was then very nice & after we dropped all the luggage off took us and showed us the main supermarket -it is called the Panda market and is a huge cross between K mart & Coles with anything you can imagine in it. He then dropped us off at one of the shopping malls (huge huge huge about 2-3 times size of Chaddie) and that's not the biggest - first priority FOOD and DRINK. Did I mention that in that 4 hour wait we had no beverages at all? Jesse was trying in his oh so polite and caring way to discuss what I wanted to eat - I was HOT with full lenght abiya with jeans and jumper & top on under with moisture pouring from every follicle of my hair, my face glowing beetroot red and no ladies available (they were padlocked for reno's) to take aforementioned jumper off - so he whisked me up a stairwell and off came the jumper and then immediately a can of fanta disappeared in the blink of an eye - i think one gulp finished the can. I then felt human enough to discuss eating choices - macca's here have crumbed & deep fried mozzarella sticks which I will have to try - no we didn't opt for macca's but went local flavours and was most pleasantly surprised at choice, taste and cleanliness :) then another can of fanta and I felt a lot more human. We then headed off to find mobile phone for me, check out what was available internet wise for me (looks like it's all about me hahaha) but Jesse really does like looking at mobile phones and internet stuff so I humour him - and it benefits me :) In this time we found very very nice designer italian mobile phones with lots of crystals etc etc for ladies and I commented to Jesse how nice they were - the salesman was instantly Jesse's best friend - and I must say that he was remarkably generous to us and nice - he took us to Panda to buy cheap Nokia for me and then to his mate to get pre-paid sim. He also waited at Panda while we got important foodstuffs for brekkie - about 1 hour then ferried us back to his shop to do other stuff - he then brought us back home to drop stuff off then to apple shop to get mobily internet usb for me - then to homewares shop we would never have found to get plug adapter and iron so Jesse could have pressed shirt for first day at work today. He was very very kind - trust Jesse to fall on his feet as usual :) Change of pace for Jesse - he had to get out of bed at 6am to catch the Uni shuttle at 7 am for first day on job - he has caught up with his mate somewhat and been through HR - so will look forward to hearing about his day when he gets home. Poor guy has blisters on his feet from heat and never one word of complaint (unlike someone (me)we all know). Still just trying to make the change as seamless as possible. Even in my abaya I am being stared at by everyone - the arab women are all checking me out big time - I must say is a bit unsettling - I might have to dye my hair darker :( or I suppose I could wear the full scarf thingy around my head as I got one of those when I purchased the abayer with nice crystal starbursts on one end - must say they are good you don't have to worry about what you are wearing and everyone sort of looks the same. If we get asked to any of Jesse's arab friends houses I will have to ask the women how to tie it around so it looks normal and stays in place .......lol or maybe not......... Well will update everyone again very soon - and great news from Anne via facebook - Tinkerbell (Stinky) has been adopted after only 1 week and found a new home. So things are really looking up for my ex pets. Love & Miss you all

First coffee in the desert…

Just got to Abu Dhabi. We are waiting now for the connecting flight to Bahrain. Sitting down and havin our first coffees. They come in bucket sized cups :)

Took a photo of a couple of locals with real falcons on their hands. They were in the same cafe as us. Will post the photo as soon as we download it once at home.

Thanks everyone for coming and seeing us off at the airport. It really means a lot to have such a great family…

Thanks Julian..

By the way I have forgotten to mention that Julian has made lots of nice improvements to this blog. So thanks Jlunda for your welcome input :)

Counting Down

We have so much on the go at the moment - as usual we left a lot of things until the last minute and we're still ringing insurance, solicitors, banks etc with only 3 working days to go to get it all organised :) but at least it's we are never boring. I have 3 more days at work and counting down - it's so weird starting to hand over all the things I was in charge off and trying to teach a new person things that you've known for years. It is hard to form any idea of what awaits, but I believe it is REALLY REALLY hot :( but I am sure I will cope.

Almost there…

Well we are almost there. It seems unreal that there are only few more days to go now.We fly out on Monday the 28th from Melbourne to our new Saudi adventure in Al-Khobar.

We are flying with Etihad on a following itinerary:

Melbourne to Abu Dhabi taking 14:20 hours Airbus A340-500
Abu Dhabi to Bahrain taking 1:10 hours Airbus A320-100/200
Bahrain to Dammam taking 2:00 hours (bus)

We are scheduled to arrive in Dammam at 12:30 in the afternoon of the 29th.

Then we find out where our accommodation is. That is still a mystery as we have no idea as to where the compound is and what facilities are on offer.

We have so far done most of what needs to be done with just a bit more packing to do before the removalists come in on Saturday morning. The house is really getting that empty feel at the moment.

There will be new tenants coming in on Oct 3rd, so it will not stay empty for long.

On a good note Claudia has taken that dentally challenged mutt Monty. He seems to have taken really well to his new home even engaging in a game or two of soccer with the boys. Claudia’s other doggy Casper “The Skinny Rat” seems highly pleased with his new canine friend.

The Cat “Tinkerbell” also known as “Stinkerbell” has gone to an animal adoption centre where they will keep her until a new owner is found.

Roll on Monday …. :)