It's official - just got word our visas have been approved!

We were told it would take 8-12 weeks, but once the paperwork was all sorted, it took less than two! What a nice change from the endless red tape of Indonesia...

Today's news coincides with our 26th anniversary (well almost - it's tomorrow) so can't think of a better reason to break out that bottle of 1999 Central Otago Syrah. Or is it sacriledge toasting our AU visas with NZ wine???

Any and all suggestions/thoughts on moving to Perth most welcome.

Woo Hoo Melnq8! You'll LOVE Perth!
Well done .... you won't need gamelan to start dancing tonight, will you?

I've not lived in Perth, but have been there often enough for work to think a couple of years there would be great.

No doubt some of the WA Fodorites will chime in with lots of suggestions - also for the Welcome Party

Thanks Bokhara -

We've been to Perth and SW WA three times in the past few years, which is partly why I'm so excited - we both fell in love with WA. That, and it's our first non-hardship international work assignment EVER.

Guess I need to bone up on my Aus speak, because I have no clue what gamelan is...

Melnq8 .... I meant the Indonesian gamelan bands
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamelan

Thanks for clearing that up Bokhara - we haven't run across any gamelan bands here on Sumatra.

Congratulations on your upcoming move and your anniversary!
I'm very pleased to hear that you have experienced less red tape to move to AU.

Hey Melnq8! It's official you're now an Aussie. Welcome!!! That's terrific news and 2 weeks is that a world record?

Melnq - now you'll be able to call yourself a Sandgroper, that's not bad considering I was born a Crow Eater (South Austalia), became a Cockroach (NSW) and now am apparently a Banana Bender (Qld).

Great news!

Congrats! When's the big move?

Sandgroper, huh? Guess that's no worse than the Boule Durian I am now.

If all goes to plan, we should be in Perth by early-mid August.

Lots of work to do between now and then. Which begs the question, what am I doing on Fodor's?

Congratulations Melnq8 - Perth is a nice city. We visit a relative in Perth every so often, they live near City Beach.
Patwoodford - since we moved from NSW, we are now "smarter" as we live in the smart state, I just wished the Qld govt. would spend more money in areas outside of south east Qld.
Melnq8 - no doubt you will want to spend a long weekend down in the Margaret River area, tasting their superb wines. I really enjoy Voyagers Estate, Semillion/Sauv.Blanc, around $18 per bottle.

Melnq8 - I forgot to mention, there is nothing wrong in drinking NZ wines, they are world class. In fact I have half dozen cheeky little Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs
sitting in my wine rack, screaming to being consumed.

Melnq8, no issues with drinking NZ wines here. I'm no wine expert, but I think NZ wines are probably the biggest range of foreign wines you'll find in most liquor stores. As Australian wines are so good and plentiful, you'll find the imported sections to be quite small. Also note that in Australia Syrah is usually called Shiraz.

Being in Perth will make it easier for you to visit parts of Australia, like Adelaide!

Sandgropers..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandgroper_%28insect%29

Congrations,
We Aussies have a sibling like relationship with the Kiwis. so as you are an honoury Aussie, or will be soon, it is OK to toast an Aussie victory with NZ wine. though I must say I prefeer Shiraz grown in a slightly warmer climate to get those full berry and smokey flavours.

The rest of you, don't you dare mix your drinks!

Congrats Melnq!!

Wonderful news for you and the timing is great since you're celebrating your anniversary as well!

Best,

Melodie

I'm an American, but two of my greatest loves are Australia (the country) and New Zealand wines (the country is also awesome, been there and loved it!). I think NZ wines are some of the best bargains around-great quality and the prices here are good too. I'm jealous you get to move to Australia. I live in NYC, which a lot of people covet, but I'd do anything to get a visa to live permanently in Sydney. Best of luck!

Appreciate all the kind thoughts.

skiergirl -

I'm American too, and I'm a huge fan of both Australia and New Zealand as well as their respective wines.

In fact, when I go home to the US to visit, I head directly to the Australian/NZ wine section in the liquor store - I'm pretty clueless about US wines (don't tell our friends from CA).

Our visa is for four years, then it's probably back to the US.

tropo -

We've been to Margaret River a few times and I'm sure we'll be there again before we know it. And Pemberton - can't wait to go back there.

Speckles -

I didn't realize a sandgroper was an insect - assumed it was a type of crab or something.

Yes, Adelaide is still on our wish-list, but we want to visit when it's nice and cool, so perhaps next summer (er, winter).

Okay, enough stalling, back to the inventory...

Congratulations! I hope you plan to continue doing trip reports. It will be great hearing WA tips and trips from a 'local'.

travel4flowers -

Absolutely. Not many WA contributors here, so I'll certainly try to do my part.