Ducati Monster Forum

Kitchen Sink => No Moto Content => Topic started by: SKOM on August 15, 2008, 12:57:08 PM

Title: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: SKOM on August 15, 2008, 12:57:08 PM
My 4 year business Visa for Australia arrived today!!  [thumbsup]

My SO, 2 dogs, and I are all heading down under for (at least) the next 4 years. It has been almost a year in the making but I finally have 2 Visas, a new job, and import permits for the dogs.

No more snow. Ha! The only sad part is I will be without my bike for a couple months while it gets shipped down. I am so excited right now. In three weeks I will be in a new country living out of a suitcase. I don't even have a place to stay. Should be interesting....
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: KnightofNi on August 15, 2008, 01:01:27 PM
good luck with that  [thumbsup]


what are you doing there? prison guard?  [cheeky]
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: 707soldier on August 15, 2008, 01:05:33 PM
all you need is Internet access, and its like you never left
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: MendoDave on August 15, 2008, 01:06:20 PM
Gonna be a rock star?  [cheeky]

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/ACDC-Hughes-long_ago.jpg/474px-ACDC-Hughes-long_ago.jpg)
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: TiNi on August 15, 2008, 01:07:35 PM
good luck  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: herm on August 15, 2008, 01:15:33 PM
careful you dont get IZ_movesalot thinking about moving there with you
he brings nails for the bike tires...
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: IZ on August 15, 2008, 01:32:06 PM
Quote from: herm on August 15, 2008, 01:15:33 PM
careful you dont get IZ_movesalot thinking about moving there with you
he brings nails for the bike tires...

Actually, we're starting the dog vaccines for moving overseas in a few months and applying for a couple places, including AUS!! 

Yes, that iz one of the places we're STILL looking at!!

I've already talked to SKOM a couple times via PM about the move!

Good Luck!!  [thumbsup] Post up as often as possible.

I've got a couple good connections there and on expatriot sites for info once you get down there!!

Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: KnightofNi on August 15, 2008, 01:46:49 PM
Quote from: IZ on August 15, 2008, 01:32:06 PM
Actually, we're starting the dog vaccines for moving overseas in a few months and applying for a couple places, including AUS!! 

Yes, that iz one of the places we're STILL looking at!!

I've already talked to SKOM a couple times via PM about the move!

Good Luck!!  [thumbsup] Post up as often as possible.

I've got a couple good connections there and on expatriot sites for info once you get down there!!


you have been planning on moving to australia since i joined the the DML 5 years ago.
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: S4ROB on August 15, 2008, 01:52:26 PM
Sounds like a great adventure. Good Luck.

Organisers of the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island are advising fans to book early.
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: ducpenguin on August 15, 2008, 01:55:11 PM
Have a blast!  Congrats and be safe...watch out for Joes in the road!  Send pics!
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: IZ on August 15, 2008, 01:57:00 PM
Quote from: KnightofNi on August 15, 2008, 01:46:49 PM
you have been planning on moving to australia since i joined the the DML 5 years ago.


True.  I just had to live in/see the rest of the US before I left!  ;)


Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: Super T.I.B on August 15, 2008, 02:29:57 PM
Quote from: SKOM on August 15, 2008, 12:57:08 PM
My 4 year business Visa for Australia arrived today!!  [thumbsup]

My SO, 2 dogs, and I are all heading down under for (at least) the next 4 years. It has been almost a year in the making but I finally have 2 Visas, a new job, and import permits for the dogs.

No more snow. Ha! The only sad part is I will be without my bike for a couple months while it gets shipped down. I am so excited right now. In three weeks I will be in a new country living out of a suitcase. I don't even have a place to stay. Should be interesting....

God help us...all we need is another Canadian.  [roll]

Well done SKOM....bring Crown Royal and Timmies.  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: Randimus Maximus on August 15, 2008, 03:06:52 PM
good luck, SKOM!  [beer]
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: Xiphias on August 15, 2008, 03:15:11 PM
Have some [bacon]
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: lucazuma on August 15, 2008, 03:31:22 PM


...good luck!!
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: Triple J on August 15, 2008, 04:09:21 PM
So what are you doing about Australia's dog quarantine law?  I had a chance to move to Melbourne for work 2 years ago, but turned it down because all dogs had to go through a 3-6 MONTH quarantine period...at my expense.  No thanks...you likely won't get the same dog back that you arrived with following quarantine (temperament wise).  :-\

Did you find a way around that, or have they changed the laws?  Not required for Canadians? I heard they were talking about a pet Visa, but...???
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: somegirl on August 15, 2008, 05:01:45 PM
I think it is 30 days quarantine now.

Congrats, SKOM!  Whereabouts in Oz?

I have thought about it from time to time...since they changed the immigration laws a few years ago, I think I can qualify for dual citizenship. 8)
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: Super T.I.B on August 15, 2008, 05:10:19 PM
Quote from: msincredible on August 15, 2008, 05:01:45 PM


Congrats, SKOM!  Whereabouts in Oz?



Adelaide!  [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

:-\
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: Popeye the Sailor on August 15, 2008, 05:15:17 PM
I thought he was in Canada?  ???


Doesn't he know us yanks don't consider Canada part of the same continent? They're merely a land bridge so we can get to Alaska.
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: Super T.I.B on August 15, 2008, 05:35:13 PM
You won't have to worry about this bloke at Immigration, he lost his job last year. [laugh] [laugh]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9gw3x9zGVc&feature=related

& start getting used to the language... ;D (NSFW)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sry7JYV1U24&feature=related
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: IZ on August 15, 2008, 06:05:27 PM
Quote from: msincredible on August 15, 2008, 05:01:45 PM
I think it is 30 days quarantine now.


It depends on how soon you get the vaccinations and paperwork going here in the US.  It can be anywhere from 1-6 months!  If I recall..there are only 3 points of entry too for pets..Brisbaine, Sydney and Perth

Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: SKOM on August 15, 2008, 10:32:24 PM
The dogs are staying in quarantine for 1 month. The facility is in Melbourne. It's not too bad although far from ideal.
The SO is going to be staying with friends in Melbourne for that month.

The good:
-They get to stay together in the same pen.
-We (ie the SO) can visit the dogs up to 3 times a week.
-They are kept in runs (not tiny cages)
-There is a field where they can run around a play fetch. The game of fetch is like crack for my dogs.

The bad:
-A really long flight for them which will stress them out.
-They are still in quarntine for a month. I am a little nervous about them changing while behind bars. At least they will have each other. They are litter mates and have never been apart.   :'(

I have had alot of people asking why bother bringing them given the cost and hassle. These people don't have dogs. I feel kind of guilty for putting them through it but there is no way I could part with them. They are family.

I got a position with a geotech firm. It works out pretty well because the will be sending me all over the country to support the other offices. Which means I get to travel the country on their dime.

I will keep you posted on the interesting hurdles that will no doubt come up. This will be a HUGE life change for us. All we are taking with us are suitcases. Starting from scratch. I might invest in a nice air mattress.

[thumbsup]
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: Triple J on August 16, 2008, 08:01:53 AM
Quote from: SKOM on August 15, 2008, 10:32:24 PM

I have had alot of people asking why bother bringing them given the cost and hassle. These people don't have dogs. I feel kind of guilty for putting them through it but there is no way I could part with them. They are family.

I got a position with a geotech firm. It works out pretty well because the will be sending me all over the country to support the other offices. Which means I get to travel the country on their dime.

That's great it's only a month.  A big +1 to the family thing as well...my dogs are why we didn't go to Melbourne.

On a side...looks like we do the same type of work.  I'm a geotech. also  [thumbsup]...specializing in tunnels now a days though. Who are you going to work for? We have a small office in Melbourne...I hear they are dying for good engineers down under.  :)
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: SKOM on August 19, 2008, 08:29:38 AM
I'll be working with a Geotech consultant in Adelaide.

Yesterday I spent the entire day on the phone trying to find the quickest flight routing to Melbourne for the dogs. A new level of frustrating.  >:(
I can get them to LA no problem (for cheap too). The shit part is that I have to put them on an air cargo flight into Oz.
That's okay - I'm sure LAX is really small and it will be easy for me to find the cargo terminal.  [laugh]

Tomorrow they get the last of their bloodwork done. My goal date is sept 15th.
Title: Re: So long North America. I'm out.
Post by: NuTTs on August 19, 2008, 09:52:19 AM
Congrats and good luck on the move.  [thumbsup]