One week in

So it's been one week since I arrived in Australia, and I've managed to get a fair few things done, although other important things have had to wait. So far on my completed list are getting my bank sorted, although I'm still waiting for my PIN, I've booked some courses which will open jobs up to me (Responsible Service of Alcohol, Blue Card, First Aid), I completed my learner's test too so I can start to learn over here. The driving system here is actually a lot easier than in the UK, it just takes a lot longer to become fully qualified. On my pending list is sorting out Medicare and my Tax File Number (so I can get a job), buying a road bike so I can get around Perth easier, and buying a badminton racket and some sportswear, and possibly a car, although I need to get a job before I do this probably.

But yes, for the first week I have been fairly productive. I've been out and experienced a little of the Perth nightlife and it's pretty good, although I did have to queue up to get into this nightclub that wasn't that great. And they do have cider here! Some of it's nae bad either, although drinks are quite expensive ($8-9 seems to be the cheapest). I've developed a taste for white wine too, thanks to Richard.

Richard and Dianne are the people who are housing me at the moment and they have been immensely helpful, helping me get things sorted and showing me around Perth, as well as getting me on the road to learning to drive. I'm trying to get them a present, but I asked in a bookshop and books tend to take 4-6 weeks to arrive (that should make you guys at Waterstone's feel better) and they are bloody expensive too! My big leatherbound conan book costs 20 pounds, whereas working out the exchange rate on the book price here, it costs around 47 pounds! Madness...

More about Perth! It's a beautiful city, as I have discovered from my bike rides with Richard. There are some amazing cycle routes around the river and some of the lakes, as well as some routes that go through King's park and along the beaches too. Once I get hold of a road bike I'll be doing a lot of cycling. It's quite a small city, there are like 2 or 3 skyscrapers (nothing compared to the ones in HK) then a few more medium sized office buildings around the CBD, other than that, there are no tall buildings. The suburbs stretch for a way, but the city, for me, revolves around the CBD/shopping centre which is like 5 streets. Houses here are hella expensive! The average house price for some of the suburbs is around $2mil, with a lot of the other surburbs ranging from $700,000 - $1mil. Maybe I won't be settling in Perth after all!

Anyway, I'm off to do some reading - I was going to go into town but I've got a fat toe after accidentally kicking the floor at badminton last night, and it hurts to walk on. Another day then!

Ciao!