05-06 March 2016:- AUSTRALIA & NZ : İstanbul >via DUBAI>PERTH

1st Day  : 05.03.20156 – 06.03.2016

It will be a long day on the Emirates Airlines. My first flight is at 15:30 from Istanbul to Dubai.

It is EK 124. The weather is clear and cool in Istanbul.Taxi took me to the Ataturk Airport.
I was lucky; there was no heavy traffic on the way to the the airport and we reached around 13:40.

It was an easy and comfortable economic flight. They served nice food and tasty white wine. It took 4 hours to the Dubai Airport after our punctual take-off from Istanbul. The distance is around 3,000 kms. There is 2 hours time difference between Dubai and Istanbul.

                       [Emirates Flight]

I need to wait at the transfer lounges for the flight to Perth which is scheduled for 03:00 o’clock early in the morning of March, 6th. I took short dinner package which was offered by the Emirates Airlines and then a small Carlsberg beer to enjoy (?) waiting at the airport.

Dubai Airport is big and crowded as well. Big duty free shops are selling any kind of luxury stuff. As I saw the sculpture of a contemporary young Turkish artist of Izmir in the Centre of the Terminal A , I was excited and proud. “The businessman “was made of lace and embroidery.

I spent a few time at the Asian Bar just facing the gate A8 of my flight to Perth. Having two small pints of beer and having connected to the internet I spent almost 1,5 hour there.

Two beers are 13.-USD almost.

Around two o’clock they took us to the gate. I was astonished when I saw passengers queuing in three lanes in order to be checked for spirits and cigarettes. Australia is restricting the amount of alcohol and cigarettes to be taken by passengers. Punctually, we have been taken to the plane. It is an A380-800 aircraft. Huge and with double floors.

I have my economic seat at the row 45 but I was just 5 meters behind the cockpit door. Most probably the upper floor was allocated to the business class.

A380-800 Airplane of Emirates from Dubai to Perth.

After a long flight approx. 10 hours we arrived at Perth Airport around 17:30 with local time

(Istanbul 09:30 am, Dubai 11:30 am). Total flight time from Istanbul to Perth is something around 14 hours but with stops it took 19 hours.

At the border control they asked me to wait even other passengers mostly went through the border easily. After some time, maybe in ten minutes one border police came to me and asked some questions politely. He wanted to be sure that I will not stay in Australia permanently. I think, since I am alone and coming from Turkey they wanted to check my situation. Showing my travel plan and bookings of hotels at various cities of Australia the guy let me through. I collected my luggage in a short time and then I was outside waiting for the shuttle to the Perth City. It was approx.. 18:45 and the shuttle took me to the downtown for 4,50 AUD. The taxi ought to get something around 40-45 AUD.

When I was at the Great Southern Hotel it was dark outside. Having things laid down in the room I left for dinner. The Hotel is very close to the William Str. which is the heart for having food and bars/cafés.

I had got limited AU Dollars in my pocket. I had changed at the airport only 100.-USD.

The reception of the Hotel took 50.-AUD as a deposit mentioning that they will give it back by check-out. 

On the William Street there are many restaurants and bars. Most of them are serving dishes of the Far East kitchen. There are many people from China, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan and India as well.

I sat in a Chinese Restaurant and ordered chicken soup and boneless duck on noodles.

It was around 22:00 when I came back to the hotel to sleep.

Tomorrow I have got organized tour to the small lobster fishing village 'Cervantes' and some other visits are also covered.

Good night,