We arrive 19th Mar

There had to be one part of the journey that did not go completely to plan and the short "hop" from Singapore to Darwin was it. The reason for Aberdeen being unable to print our boarding pass for this part of the journey was made clear when hand written boarding passes were issued as Jetstars systems had been down for two days! After nearly an hour sitting in the plan on the tarmac we were off - it was amazing how long it took to accurately count a completely captive audience stuck in side a metal tube.
The flight was very bumpy which made filling out the customs forms interesting - for Tish this was the ultimate unwanted white knuckle ride.
In light of Pick TVs programme Anything to Declare we declared everything - children's sweets (food items); calpol etc (drugs) and my tripod (potential to import soil / micro organisms). Darwin Customs found this very amusing and his sole comment was " come on mate you've got to do better than that!" as he waved us through in under five minutes. A short taxi ride later and we were in our holiday apartment, although getting all our bags onto the second floor with no lift was "fun". After showers for everyone and some basic unpacking Tish and I had a short snooze whilst the children played. Hamish who was adamant that he did not need a sleep subsequently fell asleep on the sofa and was virtually impossible to wake up - honestly it took at least ten minutes to get him up!
rest of say spent pottering - sorting out sim cards for phones etc. Everyone has been so helpful and friendly from taxi drivers through to checkout staff in local Woolworths we have been made to feel most welcome. Rest of the afternoon spent lounging in apartment pool and generally relaxing before an early tea, shower and then straight to bed for the kids

Happiness is a bed that does not move!!

Oh yes my Oz bird list is up and running with a grand total of 6!