We Are Home & They Are Safely In Saudi Arabia

Despite a few small hiccups, the final removal days went fine for Kate Arj and Family. They moved to Arj's family's home for the final 2 nights while we moved to spend a wonderful evening with friends Patsy and Eddie.  The drinks and company were both first class.

Later on Friday we moved house again, this time to our youngest daughter Kim's place in St Kilda.  It was valuable family time as we all caught up yet again with all our news.  Kim and Trish speak reasonably regularly on the phone but there is nothing better than a good old face to face chat!

Both Trish and my footy teams performed well over the weekend recording good wins.

On Saturday evening we headed to Tullamarine for final farewells as Kate Arj and family were to board their 14 hour flight to Abu Dhabi, and, after a 6 hour stopover, another hour or two to Jeddah and a 50k road trip to KAUST!

Farewells were brief as they headed through to Immigration, then a meal and finally to prepare for the flight.  We drove home with heavy hearts wondering when we would again see them and have a chat.

Around 9:30 am Sunday we had packed both cars and set off for our 1800 kilometre drive home.  As there were two cars we weren't able to 'share' the driving. I am pleased to report the trip went without a hitch, both cars performing perfectly!

The first night we stopped in West Wyalong after a 600+k drive, the next night was in Goondiwindi and a 750+ k drive.  The final leg of around 430k's saw us drive into Kilbride Crt around 12:30.

We unpacked the cars and set about catching up with chores from our 3 weeks away.

Slowly but surely, via Facebook, Instagram and emails, information began to filter through from Kate Arj and family.  They used free wireless to get info back home to those of us waiting for news! Their own home internet connection was not connected they believed.

The photo above left shows their home in Saudi Arabia. This photo (left) shows James and Charli playing on some playground equipment near their home.

And the photo below left shows one of the huge rooms in their house. They didn't get much time to settle in to their new home as they both were due to head off for orientation at school on Tuesday.  They had passes to sort, procedures to be aware of and new people to meet!

Arj and I had set up Viber on our phones before they left and suddenly I had a Viber text message from him.  Then a notification came up on my PC screen saying Arj Bartholomeusz was online on Skype!

Arj had taken his modem/router with him.  He had plugged it in, connected it to the internet jack in the house and they were connected and online.  Their phones and iPads were able to access the internet. 

Emails crossed the oceans and a short time later we were able to speak and see Arj, Kate and the grand kids via Skype!

We heard all about their plane trip, their arrival in Jeddah where they were collected by the school and bypassed several queues to get through immigration and customs, some early purchases they had made at the wonderful supermarket, people they had met and all the excitement of beginning a new stage of their lives in a new land!

We spoke on Skype for around 20 minutes before they were to be picked up and taken to school by private driver.  Kate explained that the weather was hot and so humid.  The air conditioning unit in their home was very effective, (it had to be!).

Kate said it was so humid, clothes wouldn't dry properly if left outside!

Us being able to share their life at KAUST via Skype, Instagram, Facebook etc is just so amazing in this electronic age.  Arj even listened to the Melbourne Sports Radio station SEN on his phone to catch up with all the footy news!

Remember to follow Arj's blog HERE.