So, we get to airport ready to check in and we are told that the flight will be delayed until around 6pm. This was a four hour delay, but we were assured that we would have plenty of time to get our connecting flight and that getting from arrivals to international departures would be easy. Ok we say, as long as there are no more delays. We didnt really have any other choice but to stay and wait because our only alternative was to get a refund and buy a ticket on the spot from another carrier....like that was going to happen for the price we originally paid, not that they had tickets going anyway. There were so many delays and cancelattions from and to Jakarta that every carrier was operating a waiting list. Anyway, we eventually got our flight after a third delay and finally took off after 7pm. The flight was fine, and we got off fine with our luggage, however this was after waiting half an hour for the luggage that we were originally told would be prioritised to leave the plane first; so by this point we had less than 15mins to get to departures and check in and clear customs and get stamped out of the country before the flight leaves, thats right, not gates closing but plane leaving tarmac!!!

Get this, we had to get a taxi....first the fares were starting at 200,000 rupiah, then a guy came from nowhere and could see we were upset, and took us for 20,000 which is about the right amount to pay for the distance covered. (PS 17,000 rupiah = 1 GBP.) With me almost in tears at the way we had been treated let alone the fact that our flight had been delayed, the taxi man put his foot on it, and got us to departures after a few near misses! Not that I condone reckless driving, I am just thankful he got us there!

This is the best bit though; we explained at the CLOSED check in desk that we were late because of the delayed flight from Bali, and they told us to get in the 'exit country and get your stamp' queue quickly, get stamped out of the country and run with our backpacks to the plane, leave the bags with the security at the plane door and get into our seats. OH MY GOD. I have never been so stressed in all my life and suddenly my backpack got 20 kilios heavier. Tim and I somehow managed to get to the plane and through security even though technically our luggage was now hand luggage! We slumped into our seats and got a rather generous serving of rum and coke and G&T; and promtly passed out after dinner with a huge smile on our faces!!! Life's tough eh!

Arrived in Sydney fine, and got our work visa stamped in. Collected our luggage fine ( Thank you Quantas!!!) Got a taxi to Petersham Guesthouse where we are booked into for a week. The taxi wouldve cost the same as getting the train, we were advised by information desk.....it was nice to have information seeked and correctly given!

Anyway, we arrived to the guesthouse and this great big Greek guy come out and helps us with the luggage and checks that the taxi man wasnt ripping us off..cool. We thought we had booked into a place with a room big enough for a double bed and desk and wardrobe. We were not expecting much. So when this Greek guy leads us off to another door on the building and has his arms around us saying that the guesthouse is fully booked.... you can imagine our faces!!! I wasnt really feeling like contending with dodgy guesthouse owners right then, and neither was Tim!

But, no he opens the door and leads us inside....

for the same price as the room we expected to be staying in ( 34AUD, here they quote prices per person not room, so this was the cheapest we could find for the both of us)....

we were standing in a room that resembled a lounge with a fitted kitchen and fridge freezer, then moved into the bedroom again fully furnished and with large bathroom. We were standing in a fully furnished apartment!!! Now imagine our faces!!!! We really appreciate how lucky we have been, and so we are truly going to make the most of Sydney and Australia from now on!

written by  Priya&Tim on September 17, 2006 from Sydney, Australia
from the travel blog: Cheeky Round The World Trip
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Hey guys,

Its the smug adventurers here, currently in the company of Laura Tibbles who worked at Barclays with Erin. She mentioned that you were also in the loop of the extended blogabond family having attended college with her. Gonna be hitting Sydney in a bit and were thinking perhaps we could create more blogabond fusion there? Ah the joys of 21st century living.....
Let us know,

Murph, Tay, Colly and Erin x x x

written by  Murph, Tay, Colly and Erin on November 3, 2006

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Hey! Sorry for the very long delay in getting back to you! We have been working our arses off but it is worth it....when are you in Sydney and for how long? It would be fun to get together - Blogabond United! It really is a small world! Anyway let us know - Laura has our number - text us and we'll hook up!

written by  Priya&Tim on November 25, 2006

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