22 flights, two ships, three ferries, two Greyhound buses and one train - this trip was the most intense and comprehensive I've experienced, exactly 10 years after the first time my foot landed on the Australian continent (which technically also includes Papua New Guinea, interestingly).
And to think that I didn't mean for that to happen at all.
Sydney's Opera House, Sydney
February 2022. Covid Era, both in Israel and in the world, is on the wane. Almost two years after a dramatic Stop on the trip to South America - as well as on the plans and dreams of millions around the world - I have reached a crossroads.
In June 2020, almost in sync with the outbreak of the Corona epidemic, I started working as the editor-in-chief of a news site. Admittedly a starting position in the field, but at least in what I like and interest me. After almost two years, as mentioned, I reached a crossroads where I began to change direction and "destabilize" the ship. After all, without changes, how will we develop and grow?
I came to the decision to (humbly) end my position on the site, I gave the boss a three-months' notice, with a deadline of leaving by the end of June. There was no doubt that I would take advantage of a time out for a trip of a considerable size, especially when the window of opportunity for trips of this size is getting smaller and smaller as you get older, both due to capital that is channeled into a mortgage/renting an apartment or marital system/children/obligations that one or another person takes on , and it will most likely happen to me at some point (unfortunately).
Because of my tendency to travel in Western countries, with proper and organized tourist infrastructure, the possibilities were not many. What else at this stage of my life do I prefer Countries in the more distant circle, which will probably be less possible for me in a later stage of my life, since when I fly to distant countries - it is better to stay there longer to cover the investment.
The initial thought was to move towards North America, but it wasn't far enough, it was summer there (a season where I'm less than suitable) and I was also there in December-January 2018/9.
The answer was clear: a visit to Australia and New Zealand, 10 years after the first visit in 2012.
truth is that it was an unexpected closing of the circle, because before the Covid's, Australia was not at all in the direction of future trips, when I was thinking of two more forays to North America and South America.
In a trick of history, I was privileged to come to the "lucky land" again and this time - with evgeny.
evgeny is a long-time partner for trips overseas, since 2016 - from Barcelona, through Athens to New York. So, we're quite used to pressing one and the other.
We agreed between us that he would join for three weeks, so that I would land five days before him, to "absorb" the difficult jet lag upon landing, and rest well so that when he arrives, we can run the day well.
After the 'Qantas''s connecting flight from Bangkok was postponed in a day (which I found out completely by chance after checking out the website, and without notification from their side) I agreed to departure from Bangkok to Sydney with 'Thai Airways'.
Before taking off from Tel Aviv there was a fear of a Chaos with the luggage and long queues from here to Beer Sheva, so after packing the luggage and saying goodbye to the family, I was dropped off at Tel Aviv (courtesy of Shai, my fearless older brother) just over 4 hours before departure.
Ben Gurion Airport
Here I arrived in Israel, and after a short disorientation - after all, three and a half years without flights - I stood in a relatively short line with Israelis at the security check, the last line in weeks that I would share with them.
Immediately after that, I went to check-in without a queue at all (!) Not before an old flight attendant warned that the Australians are the toughest in terms of immigration policy to the country, she was right, but I preferred not to develop the issue too much.
From there to the security check, the well-known conveyor belt - with a traditional selfie - and duty free to report that the transition went smoothly and to collect cash for the trip.
There is an argument that there is no need for cash now where almost everything is paid for by credit, but I took into consideration in remote areas that do not accept credit, and even hotels that only require cash deposits (yes, just like 20 years ago). And maximum - you can always convert in a local exchange, as I did the last day in Auckland, New Zealand.
Skipped on a plane full of Israelis to Bangkok and sat next to the window for the first flight in years and the first in a series of 22. Of course, it was noisy and a girl sitting behind me asked me to recline the seat so that she could see her screen better - a strange request because they usually ask the other way around - I ignored / muttered to her that I have no idea how to do it and she gave up.
The stay at the airport in Bangkok (at least on the area of the connecting flights) was one of the most unfriendly I've had so far on Airports. It was very hot, the air conditioning did not make up for the heavy heat, and worse than that - there were no cold-water stations to fill bottles or alternatively machines or any place to sell water/something to drink. I ended up drinking water from a hot water cooler near a Muslim prayer area, hoping for water on the flight.
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand
There was some concern that I wouldn't arrive on time for the connecting flight, but in the end, I arrived at the gate of the flight, something like an hour ahead of time. After (again) I was kind of disoriented and didn't see where the gate itself was, an elderly Indian showed me that I had to go down the stairs - and that's where the gate itself is, but in my case the gate hadn't opened yet, I thanked him with a wave of my hand and sat down on a bench, soaking up the heat of the airport.
After takeoff, I sat down by the window again, and immediately noticed a different atmosphere from the flight to Bangkok - almost complete silence from those around me. The flight landed on the island of Phuket, we got off the plane, and again (?) we went through a security check in addition to the check in Bangkok, apparently for the same plane - and after half an hour - the flight finally took off for Sydney. The flight itself was not one of the best, without a tablet, an outdated plane, and food I didn't recognize and preferred not to touch so as not to conflict with my stomach.
Phuket, Thailand, from the Plane
Finally, I landed in Sydney on Friday morning, and after going through border control and customs (declaration of spices sent by my mother to my sister) heavy rain greeted me.
I waited in line, took a taxi, and the Indian driver was indignant that he took me for such a short ride to Shira and Mark's (my sister and brother-in-law) house, which is a 15-minute drive from the airport. There is probably a common denominator for certain taxi drivers around the world, pressing the emotional glands to get more money out of you...
In any case, Shira greeted me, led me under heavy rain to shelter next the door of the house, where we hugged after almost 3 years of not seeing each other (corona, etc.) and then we loaded the equipment into the house - where the equipped room of my five-year-old niece, Mia, was waiting for me.
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport
'Mandalorian''s bedding, a folding table that Mark took out of the warehouse, clothes that Shira bought, and an automatic curtain that created complete darkness in the room - recommended for those interested in quality sleep throughout the night. Mia, who very generously lent me her room, greeted me warmly, and Ari looked different than I remembered him - after all, he was a baby less than a year old the last time I saw him.
After a tired pat on the back from Mark, I flew to the shower, ate some of the kids' pancakes, and threw myself into bed - still I hardly slept for 39 hours. However, sleeping hours had to be limited due to the severe jet lag that can be caused by flying to eastern hemisphere.
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