面試之前，我就在信中兩度表明最近才拿到駕照。面試時又特別再提起這件事。那時候似乎不是問題，現在卻變成回絕我的原因。
我回覆：「感謝你的回覆。我會繼續努力。」這不是第一次應徵這家潛水中心。八個月前因為沒有駕照，連面試的機會都沒有。這次考到駕照再次應徵還是失敗。會繼續嘗試，但是不曉得能繼續多久，肯定不會是三年。
照片是凱恩斯不知名的路樹
Job Application Rejection
“Thank you again very much for your time. Unfortunately, given the fact that you haven’t had your license for 3 years…” wrote in a reply to reject my job application.
I had mentioned the fact twice that my driver license had been issued recently in the email correspondence before the job interview. I even brought that up again during the job interview. It had not seemed to be a problem at that time. Now, it became the reason to reject me.
“Thank you for the reply. I’ll keep trying,” I wrote to reply. This was not the first time I applied for a position in this dive centre. I had not got a chance for interview because I had not had a driver license 8 months ago. Now I came back with a driver license but still failed. I would keep trying, but I did not know for how long, definitely not 3 years.
The photo was unknown flowers blooming on the street in Cairns.
I had mentioned the fact twice that my driver license had been issued recently in the email correspondence before the job interview. I even brought that up again during the job interview. It had not seemed to be a problem at that time. Now, it became the reason to reject me.
“Thank you for the reply. I’ll keep trying,” I wrote to reply. This was not the first time I applied for a position in this dive centre. I had not got a chance for interview because I had not had a driver license 8 months ago. Now I came back with a driver license but still failed. I would keep trying, but I did not know for how long, definitely not 3 years.
The photo was unknown flowers blooming on the street in Cairns.
凱恩斯潛水工作求職的好時機
人事部經理送我出潛水中心的時候說：「我會再通知你試工的日期。」
這是抵達凱恩斯一週內得到的第二個試工機會，出乎意料地容易。還記得八個月前，我必須走訪凱恩斯所有潛水中心，尋求面試的機會，這次只投履歷給幾家潛水中心而已。也許是因為聖誕節和新年檔期即將來臨吧。
目前為止，一切順利，但是都還沒確定。試工不代表聘用，只是應徵流程的最後一關。所以，下回分曉。
照片是凱恩斯海邊的聖誕樹
這是抵達凱恩斯一週內得到的第二個試工機會，出乎意料地容易。還記得八個月前，我必須走訪凱恩斯所有潛水中心，尋求面試的機會，這次只投履歷給幾家潛水中心而已。也許是因為聖誕節和新年檔期即將來臨吧。
目前為止，一切順利，但是都還沒確定。試工不代表聘用，只是應徵流程的最後一關。所以，下回分曉。
照片是凱恩斯海邊的聖誕樹
Right Timing for Diving Job Hunting In Cairns
“I’ll call you for arranging the trial trip,” said Human Resources Manager while she walked me through the gate of the dive centre.
This was the second trial trip I got since I had arrived in Cairns for a week. It was surprisingly easy. I still recalled that I had to visit all the dive centres in Cairns for interview opportunities 8 months ago. This time I just emailed my application to a few dive centres. Perhaps, the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays in next month were the reasons.
So far, everything seemed to be promising, but nothing was promised. A trial trip was not a job offer, but the final stage of the selection process. So, the story was to be continued.
The photo was the Christmas Tree on Esplanade.
This was the second trial trip I got since I had arrived in Cairns for a week. It was surprisingly easy. I still recalled that I had to visit all the dive centres in Cairns for interview opportunities 8 months ago. This time I just emailed my application to a few dive centres. Perhaps, the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays in next month were the reasons.
So far, everything seemed to be promising, but nothing was promised. A trial trip was not a job offer, but the final stage of the selection process. So, the story was to be continued.
The photo was the Christmas Tree on Esplanade.
Newbie driver: Townsville to Cairns
Finally, I arrived in Cairns after driving for 2,000km in 6 days. What a relief that I would not need to drive for long distance tomorrow (although I would have to drive back to Brisbane someday). I realised that I was better at being a drowsy passenger than a drowsy driver. It was more mobilised to drive by myself, but I would be tired within 2 hours. After that it became suffering instead of fun. When I had to drive again, the schedule had to be loose. It had better to stop for a few days, instead of driving everyday.
The figure was the route I took for this trip.
The figure was the route I took for this trip.
新手上路第六天：Townsville to Cairns
終於抵達 Cairns 了。6天開了2000公里，好不容易結束這趟旅程，明天不用再開長途了（雖然不久的將來得把車子開回 Brisbane）。心得感想是，我比較適合坐在後座，上車睡覺，下車尿尿。開車行動方便，但是不到2小時就累了。超過2小時之後只是折磨，沒有樂趣。將來還要再開長途的話，時間要更寬鬆。最好是在途中停留幾天，不要每天開車。
圖片是這次旅程大致的路徑。
圖片是這次旅程大致的路徑。
Newbie driver: Mackay to Townsville
Today I had to drive 400 kilometres, much longer than the previous days. From the lesson learned, I did not fight against sleepiness. I broke the journey into two segments, and took a long break in between. Perhaps, a tall cappuccino did the job, too. Anyway, I kept awake during the drive.
Another lesson learned after a few days of driving on highway, I got used to the speed of 100km/h. I felt everything moving in slow motion, when I had to slow down to 60km/h for road work. Also, it became so difficult to drive within the speed limits. Perhaps, I had already caught on the speed camera and a traffic ticket had been mailed to me.
I arrived in Townsville late. Not much things to do but watched a free movie at a stadium. The photo was taken at the stadium.
Another lesson learned after a few days of driving on highway, I got used to the speed of 100km/h. I felt everything moving in slow motion, when I had to slow down to 60km/h for road work. Also, it became so difficult to drive within the speed limits. Perhaps, I had already caught on the speed camera and a traffic ticket had been mailed to me.
I arrived in Townsville late. Not much things to do but watched a free movie at a stadium. The photo was taken at the stadium.
新手上路第五天：Mackay to Townsville
Newbie driver: Emu Park to Mackay
“DONT SLEEP AND DRIVE,” a common road sign on the national highway. I tried to keep myself awake by reading every road sign. There were also other road signs to keep drivers awake. Some are trivia games like “What is the largest island in Queensland” and the answer would be next road sign. Some are straight to the point like “Drowsy drivers die.” None of these road signs really work for me. I felt tired.
I had to drive longer than 300 kilometres at once today. I did not expect that it would be so difficult to keep awake. So, I took a break whenever I felt tired. I took so many breaks that it took me 5 hours to get to Mackay, but the estimated travel time was supposed to be 4 hours. I was so tried that I did nothing after the drive although I arrived in Mackay at noon. After a long rest, I went for a swim to make me relaxed.
The photo was taken in Memorial Swim Centre in Mackay.
I had to drive longer than 300 kilometres at once today. I did not expect that it would be so difficult to keep awake. So, I took a break whenever I felt tired. I took so many breaks that it took me 5 hours to get to Mackay, but the estimated travel time was supposed to be 4 hours. I was so tried that I did nothing after the drive although I arrived in Mackay at noon. After a long rest, I went for a swim to make me relaxed.
The photo was taken in Memorial Swim Centre in Mackay.
新手上路第四天：Emu Park to Mackay
「開車不要睡著，」國道高速公路上很常見的標語。嘗試著閱讀路上每一個標語讓自己保持清醒。路上還有其他提醒駕駛的標語。有的是問答遊戲，例如「昆士蘭州最大的島嶼」，答案會公布在下一個路標。有的是開門見山地說「疲勞駕駛ㄟ係。」這些標語對我來說都沒用，還是會想睡。
今天要一口氣開超過300公里。沒想到最大的問題是要保持清醒，所以每次一想睡就停車休息。結果，休息太頻繁了，預估4小時的車程，開了5個小時。雖然中午就抵達目的地 Mackay，可是太累了，什麼都不想做。休息了好一陣子，只去游泳放鬆一下。
照片是 Mackay 的游泳池「 Memorial Swim Centre」
今天要一口氣開超過300公里。沒想到最大的問題是要保持清醒，所以每次一想睡就停車休息。結果，休息太頻繁了，預估4小時的車程，開了5個小時。雖然中午就抵達目的地 Mackay，可是太累了，什麼都不想做。休息了好一陣子，只去游泳放鬆一下。
照片是 Mackay 的游泳池「 Memorial Swim Centre」
Newbie driver: 1770 to Emu Park
“Continue on National Highway A1 for 165 kilometres,” the navigation audio said. Then, it kept quiet for the next 2 hours.
Today I came back to the national highway. It was easier to drive on the national highway than the state route that I had traveled yesterday. No need to make a turn for a long distance. But, it was more boring, too. I understood how come people could fall into asleep while driving.
I arrived at Emu Park at noon. It was a quiet town on the coastline. There were many beautiful beaches nearby, but not many tourists around.
The white tower in the following photo is Singing Ship. The town built and present to Captain James Cook. The pipes of the tower “sing” when wind blows.
Today I came back to the national highway. It was easier to drive on the national highway than the state route that I had traveled yesterday. No need to make a turn for a long distance. But, it was more boring, too. I understood how come people could fall into asleep while driving.
I arrived at Emu Park at noon. It was a quiet town on the coastline. There were many beautiful beaches nearby, but not many tourists around.
The white tower in the following photo is Singing Ship. The town built and present to Captain James Cook. The pipes of the tower “sing” when wind blows.
新手上路第三天：1770 to Emu Park
導航語音播報：「繼續在國道高速公路A1上行駛165公里。」之後的兩個小時，導航語音保持沈默。
今天回到國道高速公路行駛。和昨天的州道相比，簡單多了，很長一段時間都不需要轉彎。可是，也無聊多了。了解到為什麼會有人可以開車開到睡著。
中午就抵達 Emu Park，一個海邊的寧靜小鎮。有很多美麗的沙灘，不過沒有太多觀光客。
照片中的白塔叫做「Singing Ship」，是小鎮建造來紀念詹姆士庫克船長的。塔上串了好幾個管子，風一吹就會像風琴一樣發出聲音。
今天回到國道高速公路行駛。和昨天的州道相比，簡單多了，很長一段時間都不需要轉彎。可是，也無聊多了。了解到為什麼會有人可以開車開到睡著。
中午就抵達 Emu Park，一個海邊的寧靜小鎮。有很多美麗的沙灘，不過沒有太多觀光客。
照片中的白塔叫做「Singing Ship」，是小鎮建造來紀念詹姆士庫克船長的。塔上串了好幾個管子，風一吹就會像風琴一樣發出聲音。
Newbie driver: Hervey Bay to 1770
I drove less than yesterday and arrived the destination 1770 at noon. A weird name for a town. It’s for memorizing that Captain James Cook landed here on 24 May 1770. The town is away from National Highway A1, so I drove on regular state route. The road condition was not as good as A1, but few cars traveled on this route. Most time there were no cars in sight.
The town of 1770 was known for surfing, but I could not find a decent beach for surfing nearby. Finally, I found out that the beach for surfing was closer to the next town Agnes Water in the late afternoon. It’s too late to rent a surf board, so just went for a swim instead.
The photo was the beach near Agnes Water.
The town of 1770 was known for surfing, but I could not find a decent beach for surfing nearby. Finally, I found out that the beach for surfing was closer to the next town Agnes Water in the late afternoon. It’s too late to rent a surf board, so just went for a swim instead.
The photo was the beach near Agnes Water.
新手上路第二天：Hervey Bay to 1770
今天開的路程比昨天還少一點，中午就抵達目的地：1770。很奇怪的地名，其實是為了紀念1770年5月24日，庫克船長在此地登陸。遠離澳洲國道一號高速公路的小村莊，所以今天開在一般的州道上。州道路況比不上高速公路，但是人煙稀少，常常眼前視線範圍內都沒車。
聽說1770是知名的衝浪地點，可是附近看起來不像是衝浪地點。直到傍晚才發現，是鄰近的 Agnes Water 小鎮附近的沙灘，沒時間衝浪，只能泡水應景一下。
照片是 Agnes Water 的沙灘。
聽說1770是知名的衝浪地點，可是附近看起來不像是衝浪地點。直到傍晚才發現，是鄰近的 Agnes Water 小鎮附近的沙灘，沒時間衝浪，只能泡水應景一下。
照片是 Agnes Water 的沙灘。
Newbie driver: Brisbane to Hervey Bay
After a long preparation for driving from Brisbane to Cairns: having a driving lesson in Taiwan two months ago and transferring into an Australian driver license two weeks ago. Finally the newbie driver hit the road today.
I drove 300km for 4 hours on the first day. It was as tiresome as I had thought. Perhaps the cruise device made the job easy. I did not need to pay too much attention to the accelerator but holding the steering wheel. A little bit unreal for driving a car at 110km/hr.
The photo was taken on the beach in Hervey Bay
I drove 300km for 4 hours on the first day. It was as tiresome as I had thought. Perhaps the cruise device made the job easy. I did not need to pay too much attention to the accelerator but holding the steering wheel. A little bit unreal for driving a car at 110km/hr.
The photo was taken on the beach in Hervey Bay
新手上路第一天：Brisbane to Hervey Bay
準備很久，計畫從 Brisbane 開車到 Cairns，兩個月前回台灣考駕照，兩週前申請澳洲駕照，今天終於上路了。
第一天開了 4 小時，跑了 300 公里，沒有想像中的累。尤其是車子有定速裝置，只要扶著方向盤，連油門都不用踩。以前不會開車，都是上車睡覺下車尿尿，頭一次坐這麼久的車沒睡，可是也沒能欣賞沿路風景。
照片是在 Hervey Bay 的海灘拍攝的。
第一天開了 4 小時，跑了 300 公里，沒有想像中的累。尤其是車子有定速裝置，只要扶著方向盤，連油門都不用踩。以前不會開車，都是上車睡覺下車尿尿，頭一次坐這麼久的車沒睡，可是也沒能欣賞沿路風景。
照片是在 Hervey Bay 的海灘拍攝的。
台灣駕照轉換澳洲駕照
不只是汽車駕照，機車駕照也是可以用台灣機車駕照申請。澳洲汽機車駕照是同一張卡片上註記汽機車類別，不像台灣是兩張分開的駕照。本來要一次申請汽車和機車駕照，沒想到機車駕照的英文譯本翻譯錯誤，為了不耽誤時間，先把汽車駕照的申請書送出，等拿到汽車駕照再補辦機車駕照。
今天早上收到汽車駕照，下午就去補辦機車駕照。由於馬上就要開車北上去凱恩斯，申請時想問承辦人員，是不是馬上可以拿到新駕照。手指著剛拿到的汽車駕照，還在思索要怎麼問時，承辦人員說：「你今天就會拿到它。」當下放心地送件，不然本來的備案是，到凱恩斯再辦理機車駕照。
辦好手續之後，承辦人員說新的駕照一樣會在兩週內郵寄給我，現有的駕照就失效了。我愣了一下，指著現有的駕照問：「所以，這不再是汽車駕照了？」
承辦人員回答：「這張變成是身分證件，收到新的駕照後，可以把這張剪掉。」
承辦人員沒說錯，我還是可以拿回現有的駕照。但是，他沒說現有的駕照會立即作廢啊！沒想到，等了10天的汽車駕照，不到 1天，就被我作廢了。