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My first experience using the emergency service here in Australia happened on mother’s day. Coming back from playing tennis I was the driver of our scooter (I am learning) and the OH was the passenger. Anyway long story short, I was taken away by the ambulance service and brought to the local hospital. I asked to be taken to one of the two hospitals that I am at least for work. I have private insurance as we do not qualify for the public health care system. While I was being transported in the ambulance all I could think about is the cost. The ambulance attendant kept asking me where I wanted to go as I had the option to attend a GP surgery which I would have had to pay out of pocket. As I am not used to a private health care system I was so confused and stressed during the ride to the hospital. I ended up crying all the way there as I didn’t know what to say. I just felt the pressure to make a decision, in the end; I asked to be sent to a public hospital as I figured the rest will work out. Arriving at the hospital, which I have visited before for work, I was greeted by a triage nurse who advised me wait where the “walk-in” emergencies wait. I guess this was because I was not dying and I was able to walk and had no other visible injuries other than my gash to my ankle. Three hours later (we were told the wait would be that long) I was stitched up and out of there. I asked the triage nurse if I needed to pay something but she advised me that I would receive a bill in the mail. Six days have passed and I am slowly getting back on my feet. I have not been at work all week, how bored am I? Very...lol. Overall I would rate my experience good better than my ER experience in Italy...lol. I will keep you all posted once the bill arrives.

Cheerios
E&R

Holiday, Holiday, Holiday:)

Oh what a holiday it was. We did the one year celebration up in Cairns where we went out to the Great Barrier Reef and all the other touristy stuff around the area. It was our first time traveling in Australia since our arrival so we were very happy to get away. Our main goal was to visit the Reef as we had heard so much about the area. We were torn between Lady Elliot Island and Cairns (day Reef trip) however since we are both not avid divers/snorkelers we decided on Cairns as there was more to do. In Cairns we went white water rafting, visited Kundra Park, the crocodile farm and many of the local tourist attractions. One thing we noticed about Cairns, which was kind of disappointing, we felt like we were in Asia (we have never been there). Many of store signs were in Japanese and the other Asian dialects. We found it difficult to find MADE IN AUSTRALIA souvenirs (mainly aboriginal art) to bring back to our friends and family overseas. Other than that small disappointment the trip was wonderful overall. If we had a choice we would still prefer to live on the coast however Cairns is a place we would visit again, mainly due to the weather as it was verryyyyyyyyyyyyy hotttttttttttttttttt. Here are some pics, enjoy!

Cheers

E&R

Biggest Croc ever!

Alexander Reef

The Lagoon (Cairns)

Temperature in Autumn:)