4.4.2011 Sydney - Singapore

Great Ocean Road

Suburb of Sydney

Weather: sunny and warm, blue sky

This morning we have had an easy and lazy 80 km drive from Wollongong to Sydney Airport. We had time to stop and admire the views for a last time.

I said to Chris that we'll take our time and just cruise along. What I didn't reckon on was the Australian Police. Having set the cruise control to 60 km/h and admiring the views, I didn't see the steep slop behind a bend in a wooded part. As we came around the corner, we saw the blue lights flashing. OOOOOOOOOOOOppps...........A speeding ticket half an hour before returning the car. A lady officer, approched with her speed camera in hand and a microphone strapped to her lapel : „ You have been trtavelling at 70 in a 50 km/h zone, sir and just for the record this conversation is recorded by my colleague in the car!“ What was I to say?: „So sorry maam, This is just what I needed half an hour before returning the car and driving for the past 3 weeks and making a point of driving slowly because we have plenty ot time!“ I gave her my best Swiss smile. She disappears and returns after an agonizing few minutes with her best Aussi smile: „G'day sir.“ and returns my Swiss drivers license. After this I suspected a police car behind every corner. Quantas collects left over change and accepts donations on behalf of Unicef, so we donated a sum to them, instead of the Aussi speeding fine.

The traffic policing in Australia is really strict, using marked and unmarked cars. Actually their driving is quite relaxed and if you are are driving slower than the indicated speed, they don't sound the horn, but wait patiently. One thing though, they do overtake on the left side (not zig-zagging like the Americans, but still to be watched)

During our stay we have also picked up a few slang expressions

• G'day mate
• How are you doing mate (unlike the Americans, they reply)
• 'sright (after you said thank you)
• no worries (when you need more time with choosing your menu or just browsing in the shop)
• C ya later (when you leave the store or restaurant)

Die Einreise benötige weniger Zeit als in Australien. Aber wie üblich haben wir die langsamste Beamtin erwischt. Die Taxifahrt zum Hotel beanspruchte 20 Minuten und kostete 21 SG$. Kann man sich nicht beklagen.