No, I’m not dead, but I have been quieter than I had expected on here.
After the fortnight in Perth, we began our 40 hour journey back to Northern Ireland, which included an 11 hour stop in Singapore. Actually, if you ever have to spend an extended time in an airport, Singapore is the place to do it. It’s got a gym, places to sleep, Playstations, XBoxs, free internet, movies, and heaps of shops…pretty cool to be honest.
Arriving home after 18 months was a little odd; almost sureal. It wasn’t until I went to my old place of employment a number of days after we arrived, that the reality of being ‘home’ began to sink in. It was good to see some of the old workmates again.
It may be surprising to some, but in the short time we were away, there have been many changes. Changes in church, changes in politics, changes in the economy, changes in people; some friends are now married, and some now have children - lots of changes.
Of course, many things are exactly the same, including the weather!
We have, as I anticipated, been rather busy, but I’ve tried to keep the preaching to a minimum, preaching only once in Limivady on the 6th, and then once on the 20th in Rasharkin.
Much time has been spent with family, catching up with friends, and doing a bit of shopping. It was great to be here for our best friends wedding on the 15th, and to see them finally tie the knot.
It’s also been cool staying with my mum, and being able to chat into the small hours of the morning with her, and to chill out with my sister.
But it’s all to be brought to a halt very soon.
For those that don’t already know, Melanie and I will be leaving Northern Ireland once again, in just over a weeks time. Again, we will take to the air to journey across Europe, and across Asia, and across mainland Australia, to arrive (God willing) in Tasmania, where we hope to help a church for a number of months, possibly for the remainder of our visas.
It’ll be difficult saying goodbye to family again, but, as I was telling my mum this afternoon, I’m looking forward to it. The unknown is exciting!
Just a question before I go for now: has anyone (Peter?) got any ideas of the best option for Internet access in Tasmania?
Also, if you haven’t downloaded Firefox 3 as yet, do so now.
Added Commentary
By David Airey
on 24.07.08
Leaving so soon? Well, it can’t be the weather, as Tasmania won’t be much of an improvement. :)
I hope the journey goes well for you and Melanie.
By pelf
on 24.07.08
I will be stopping over in Singapore before flying back to Malaysia (I know this sounds weird since Kuala Lumpur is just about an hour from Singapore) from Chicago in August.
It’s good to know that the airport is comfortable, especially after a longgggg flight :D
Have a safe journey!
By Nathan W. Bingham
on 24.07.08
Armen:
Glad you have both had safe travels, and are enjoying your time back home. I was beginning to wonder where you were. So you’re returning to Australia so soon? Envious of your travel plans to Tasmania, one day, I’d love to move there in fact.
Which church will you be helping in Tasmania, do they have a website?
FireFox 3 is a must download!
Regarding my email to you, I did sign up and have been happy with AN Hosting for my new blog. A much improvement on iPower I must say. You should have received some remuneration for my clicking on your link when I signed up? I hope it did all work properly.
Praying all goes well with your travels and time in Tasmania.
By Armen
on 24.07.08
David,
Yes my friend, and you’re right, it’s not the weather (although almost anything would be an improvement than the July weather we’re getting here!).
Have you moved back yet, or is that still to come? I haven’t opened my feed reader in at least a month, so I’m well out of the ‘loop’.
pelf,
I think it’s Terminal 2 where most of the entertainment stuff is, so if you have time, go there. Also, there’s a free bus tour of the city, which departs from the airport too. If you have time, you might like to check that out. We would have done that, only we’ve already been in the city.
Nathan,
Bro, you emailed at a bad time. I’ve been very negligent of my inbox, and I think there are one or two emails that I didn’t reply to, and forgot about; yours being one of them.
The church I’m going to help in Tasmania, does indeed have a website, and their sermons are on Sermon Audio.
Thanks for using the affiliate link. I’m not sure if it worked or not, but I’ve received a cheque in the past without knowing someone had signed up through it.
On another note, I’m liking your new web project. You can be sure, once things settle down for me again, I’ll be following (and possibly contributing in the comments).
Great to hear from you.
By dax
on 24.07.08
NO ENTIENDO NADA
By Armen
on 24.07.08
dax,
Well if you don’t understand english, I can imagine it would be very difficult.
By Peter
on 24.07.08
Welcome back! :)
After your glowing description of Singapore airport maybe we should go via there instead of LA…
Re: broadband….
Telstra have ADSL2 available at Kingston…but…their Bigpond Liberty plan (25gb/mth) is $99.95….including 12 or 24 contract….
http://my.bigpond.com/internetplans/broadband/adsl/plansandoffers/default.jsp
Liberty my foot! (deep breath…calming thoughts….going to my happy place….)
To avoid the lock-in, you’d be better off going with an ADSL1 plan that gives up to 8mb. eg. one of the Internode Home Plus plans. Still ridiculously expensive compared to their ADSL2 plans, but that’s because they have to pay large wholesale $ to Tel$tra….(going to my happy place again…)
If you wanted to save a few $ you could stick with the 1500/256 options http://www.internode.on.net/residential/internet/home_adsl/standard/pricing/
http://bc.whirlpool.net.au has plenty of info. Based on anecdotal evidence, my personal prefs are Internode or Westnet but that may not be as relevant for Tassie as some ISPs are quite limited by the available bandwidth across Bass Strait…
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!
PS broadband is free for you at our place, you just have to visit to use it :) :)
By Stevers
on 24.07.08
im so jealous that you are getting to go travelling again!! Can’t wait for another couple of years, when i can start travelling (when the funds are built up). CANNOT WAIT!!
Enjoy!!
By Armen
on 24.07.08
Peter,
Well, if you went via Singapore, it has plenty of shops to keep your lovely wife amused, while you and ‘M’ play FIFA on the PS3! ;-)
As for your research…top stuff! Is Internode available in Tassie? I thought it was SA only, or are they just based in SA? If I can get with them, I will, even if it is a little slow. I’m pretty sure they only hold you to a 6 month contract. Whereas, Bigpond charge an arm and a leg for contracts under 1 year, if I’m correct.
As for the free broadband…I’m hoping there will be an opportunity to take you up on that offer!
Stephen,
As much as it’s a great experience and opportunity, don’t glamorise it too much…it’s not exactly a holiday we’re going for ;-)
By Peter
on 24.07.08
Yes, Internode is available in Taswegia so you should be set. No contract either btw, but they do relieve you of $65 if you terminate the contract within 12 months.
PS Didn’t realise you were heading back so soon, or has time just flown? I’ll be back through Melbourne late August with no fixed plans other than a few days snowboarding. If the snow has melted by then, who knows, I might head south for a visit…
Will keep in touch.
By Armen
on 24.07.08
Peter,
I thought it was 6 months with Internode? Doesn’t matter anyway, still better than Telstra.
Yeah, a month has nearly passed since we arrived in N.I. It’s a bit mad to be honest.
Flights are fairly cheap from Melbourne to Tassie, so if you have time and the opportunity, please, come on ahead!
By David Airey
on 24.07.08
Hi Armen,
I move back next month, towards the end of August. Looking forward to it, though I will of course miss Edinburgh after 9 years here.
Haven't you got anything to say?