First Day Experience: Exploring Life and Culture Upon Arrival in Australia

[Balloon R]Day 1 – February 17, 2025
We departed from Hong Kong late on the 16th and touched down in Sydney at noon the next day. Upon arrival, we quickly grabbed a SIM card at the airport, with someone kindly installing it for us. Following the school’s pick-up staff, we joined the queue to board the bus, paid a small additional fee, and were dropped off at our pre-booked Airbnb.

[Rainbow R]PS:
(1) For travel to Hong Kong, all you need is a passport and flight ticket; there’s no need to apply for a Hong Kong-Macau pass.
(2) Both Hong Kong and Sydney airports offer free WiFi. I purchased a one-day data card in Hong Kong, but it turned out to be unnecessary since the airport WiFi was sufficient.

(3) The flight lasted about nine hours, and it was quite uncomfortable. I found myself constantly wanting to stretch my legs. The cabin was chilly, so it’s wise to bring a warm jacket.
(4) If your checked luggage is slightly over the weight limit, the staff usually won’t be too strict. There’s no need to stress too much.

(5) It’s possible to negotiate the price of SIM cards at the airport. Doing some research beforehand can save you money.
(6) At Sydney Airport, a guide directed us to the pick-up area to wait for the bus. Our accommodation wasn’t within the standard drop-off range, but we had chosen an address closer to our actual destination.

Here, we almost fell for a scam. When we reached the waiting area, a woman claimed we needed to pay an extra 50AUD per person to reach our destination. We showed her the address we had selected on the school’s pick-up website, and she then backtracked, saying it was a mistake and didn’t charge us. However, it felt like a deliberate attempt to overcharge us.

(Later, when we arrived, we opted for an Uber, giving the driver an extra 10AUD each, and he dropped us right at our Airbnb.)

[Rose R]My feelings: From the moment we left Sydney Airport, we were surrounded by the Chinese language. The person picking us up, the woman who tried to scam us, and many of the other people waiting and riding the bus with us were all Chinese. Perhaps because our location was a bit remote, it felt like we were in a foreign countryside, which was a bit disappointing.

However, once we reached the Airbnb, the house was stunning and serene, with the sounds of birds and the gentle breeze lifting our spirits.
We visited a nearby store to stock up on food, daily essentials, and a bus card. Back at the Airbnb, we cooked a comforting bowl of noodles using the Tom Yum Kung seasoning we had brought from home.