Still waiting for Customs & AQIS

Our truck container landed in Brisbane the weekend before last, however it is anyone's guess when we will get it back. Apparently it can take 2-3 weeks just to get it off the docks, and then Customs and AQIS will take a look at it. We have made every effort to clean the vehicle - steam cleaned inside & outside including engine and chassis, anti-bacterial bomb inside, underbody treatment and anti-rust spray - but with it being an offroad vehicle it is very likely that AQIS will want it cleaned again (at our expense).

After AQIS are done with us, we need to get the vehicle checked over by a compliance officer so that we can apply for a compliance plate - this person will say whether the truck is fit for use on Australian roads. I am hoping that none of the modifications will be an issue, but potentially the 1" body lift, water injection system, performance chip and unfinished wiring, may raise eyebrows.

And then... we can get the compulsory third party (CTP) insurance and pay the registration fees to get us rolling again.

If anyone one else needs to go through this, I am happy to have a chat and help/advise if I can. A word of warning though, the actual shipping cost may work out to be only half of the cost of bringing the vehicle over and getting it on the road!

In the meantime the vW's are settling into Australia quite nicely, and loving the warm weather. It is very difficult to imagine it is snowing in Europe when we are putting on hats and sunnies to protect against the sun.

For some reason Jake has decided to call his uncle Marius, uncle monkey!? And my 3yo niece Alecia decided that hence forth I will be Tinker(bell)? See pic of me below.

Last week we spent some time at the botanical gardens in Brisbane, where we saw lots of bearded and water dragons, beautiful spiders, HUGE trees, lots of birds, and even some terrapins. I wish the container would clear customs now as all my camera gear is in the 1st container. Until then we are taking snaps with iPhones.

Over the weekend we celebrated Bridgette's birthday at the beach. We went to a beach where the water is very shallow and doesn't get more than knee deep for at least half a mile - perfect for the children and very warm. Some horses came down for a splash in the sea, and came over to say hello to Jake. There were also loads of kite surfers who were very aware and considerate of the small children around. The manners and friendliness that we experienced on our last trip over was one of the main things that drew me to move Australia.

Yesterday we did some trip shopping to start kitting out the camper trailer. We need everything from bedding to cutlery to washing powder... so we are trying to watch how much we spend. We did allow ourselves one expensive item though...

No matter where we are, and what hardships we will have to endure - sun glaring off the sea, beach sand tickling our toes, birds waking us up early, etc - we will always start the day with a decent cup of coffee :)