Up North Down South

Stepping off the plane from a dark and wet Auckland winter into the bright sunshine of a Queensland day is one of the most jarring introductions I have experienced. Okay, so not as jarring as the time we arrived into Auckland for a winter break from Darlington but it's up there. With the thermometer jumping by 20 degrees, all I can say is thank goodness for zip-off troosers.

Having not been one for seeking winter sun whilst we were resident in the UK, I find it surprising that we now choose to 'escape' the winter when we are in Auckland. Well at least for a few weeks anyway. With temperatures dropping to nearly 5 degrees last night, nearly 60mm of rain falling in a few short hours and a state of emergency declared in the South Island it felt like the right thing to do.

So why Queensland and not a specific Pacific island? Good question. Well I suppose it was Australia's turn. And besides you can't sit on a tropical island for two weeks without going completely mad. At least I don't think so, although that would've been the safest option. Within a few minutes of walking down the esplanade at Cairns we were greeted with signs warning against going in the water because of the real possibility of being eaten by a crocodile. Think I'll give that a miss then thank you. 

It's hard to believe, as I'm wandering around in a t-shirt and shorts, that it's actually winter. Many would suggest, rightfully so, that winter in Auckland isn't really winter at all but Northern Australia is even less so. Goodness knows what it's like in summer. And all this only a short five hour flight from Auckland.

Which very nearly didn't happen. The check in at the airport this morning was less than the usual stress free experience. After being rejected by the automated check in machine, we were directed to a human. Surely there must be some kind of administrative cock up? Bloody computers. I was about to give the chap a unsolicited opinion when he said;

"Your tourist visa is invalid, because you've put the wrong date for your birthday on the form"

Uh-oh

"I'll go and see if I can get it sorted out. Please wait here."

I didn't dare turn an look at my travelling companion who was no doubt considering a relaxing and stress free trip without me.

Can I just, in my defence, say it's an easy mistake to make, accidentally picking a 10 rather than an 11 on the screen. And it was late at night and I was in a hurry. So of you more critical readers might suggest that I really should've got my birthdate correct as I have, after all, had plenty of practice. 

After an agonising ten minute wait he was back and the Australian immigration authorities had sorted it out. Phew, I was going on holiday after all. I did wonder, momentarily, what would've happened if I was someone trying to get into the UK. Would our border control team been quite as helpful?

I'd like to say that that incident was the last one of the day. But no. I was on a roll. The visa debacle was shortly followed by me losing my boarding card moments before we were due to get on the plane, then finding it safely tucked into my passport. Where I'd put it just 30 minutes ago. And then a sudden panic when I pulled my sunglasses case out of my bag only to find it was empty. The thought of spending the next two weeks squinting...... Thankfully they had just fallen out of the case and were hidden amongst other debris at the bottom of my backpack. I was just going to have to take some deep breaths and calm down....

Getting stopped at the Australian border in Cairns didn't help any. The automatic passport gates had rejected my passport and I was directed to see an official. I thought they'd sorted my visa (ahem) oversight. Do I queued with the non-commonwealth riff-raff ....

Obviously it was all sorted out and I was allowed entry into this fascinating country and soon found myself wandering down the esplanade in search of a supermarket and the all important first beer of the holiday. The sun was shining and all was well with the world. As long as you don't venture too close to the sea.

How cruel is it then, to live in a place where it's constantly warm, even when it rains, to have a beautiful coastline and to not be able to go for a swim?  To be fair, the council have provided free open air swimming pools right next to the beach but it's not the same. Although preferable I imagine to returning from an ill advised paddle missing a limb or two. That kind of thing would really put a crimp on the rest of your day.

But so far, so good. We've been in Australia for a day and have a full compliment of appendages. What else does this country have in store. We don't know but it's going to be fun finding out.