why i like to visit australia

Australia has never been a cheap place to visit. Ask me why & I can offer one answer (besides others as told below): exchange rate. 1 Australian $ = AUS$.

Mind you, this exchange rate is based on my experiences when I went there for holiday & study.

1986
AUS$1 = S$1.60

2000
AUS$1 = S$1.00

2003
AUS$1 = S$1.10

2006
AUS$1 = S$1.23

Despite that & the fact that some people say "Australians are racist", I feel that it is not fair to label them as such. I prefer to call it "unfair behaviour". You don't have to look far to see "unfair behaviour" even in your own backyard. Tell me, which country don't have "unfair hats"?

In Australia, I've made some very good friends. There is one lady, I'll just call her by the first letter of her name, C. Now, I met C in an Economics class. Both of us didn't talk much at first but later on, blah blah .... we became friends. She didn't live on-campus as I did, as she was married & was living off-campus with her family.

When we had time, we exchanged stories about ourselves, shared woes about studying, tackled Economics questions & went for tea (yum cha).

Then, there is the 2 housemates, who are now based in Melbourne, 2 important reasons why I chose to visit Melbourne. I had another friend, first known in the uni hostel, also based in Melbourne. With 3 friends living in Melbourne, how not to visit?

Besides, Melbourne is a place that I've never visited. I know that I'll feel safe with them around, even if they can't accompany me the whole time.

I am going to Melbourne

Hello,

In about 1 month's time, I'll be in Melbourne in May 2006. I'm sooooo excited. I've been dreaming about it for a very long time.

On the 3rd & final day of the annual NATAS travel fair, I booked my air ticket there. Details as follow:

1. airline = Emirates
2. departure time = 3.20pm, Singapore time
3. time it takes to travel from Singapore to Melbourne = 8 hours
4. arrival time in Melbourne = 10.30pm, Singapore time
5. cost of a return air ticket = S$400
6. cost of "agent fee" = S$40
7. cost of ALL surcharges = S$300
8. cost of e-Visa, valid for 1 year, starting from date of purchase = S$10
9. Total cost of just the damm tix alone = S$750

What a huge hole it's gonna burn in my pocket!! The lady who sold me the tix, told me that it is $300 surcharge, as that is wat's dictated by the airline.

Some of the people I know, ask me why I had to choose Australia for a break, when I could have it "better" else where. I think that they meant, "Eh, Australia is quite an expensive country to visit, you know? Go cheaper & better-value place like Hong Kong lah!"

I just have this to say: Australia will forever have a special place in my heart. I'll explain it in my next post.

Yu Ren Jie

That means in Mandarin, "April Fools' Day". Heheheheee!!

Can't remember how this day went for me. Tell you later, okay? If I can remember!!

This is no "Yu Ren Jie" joke but I know that I've been slow in updating this blog. As said earlier, I'm working.

Am happy with my job, which I think I am ready for more responsibilities that I hope my superiors can trust to me.

Also, I am very happy as my colleagues, both senior & junior, are good to me. That include my big boss, my manager & others.

Have a nice belated "Yu Ren Jie" everyone.