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發表於 08-6-1 22:22 |只看該作者

Dear Joe and ngmammy,

Thank you for all the previous sharing. These few days is the peak of packing as the SantX FX is coming to pack our things tomorrow!

Yes, I want a lot of toys to be shipped, but they're not that heavy yet will take up a lot of space. I'm thinking to post the toys once the capacity exceeds the allowance.

My Sunday School Teacher will introduce us to a Cantonese church around Chatswood, see whether we can fit in

Do you use Skype to talk with your relatives? I got quite a no. of friends in Sydney yet I didn't notice them using Skype, is this popular in Sydney?

原文章由 joe0526 於 08-5-30 07:51 發表
Hi Harris_ma,

I have brought all the toys here as I used a whole 20ft container to ship everything from HK. It's good to have some toys that your kid is familiar with so that he/she can feel more se ...

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joe0526

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542^#

發表於 08-6-3 08:56 |只看該作者

Hi Harris_ma,

To keep contact with my HK friends and relatives, I use the internet phone HK2B. It cost me HK$4x per month when we signed up 1.5 years old. Now, I heard that the price went up to HK$100+. The advantage is you can dial or receive call from HK fixed line or mobile phone. So, your relatives and friends can call you anytime anywhere, as long as your computer is on.

With a video camera installed in my PC, I also use Live Messenger to have video conferencing with my parents and brother in HK, but they need to install videocam as well.

My husband uses skype to communicate with HK office. Yes, seems skype is not very popular here.

Josephine

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543^#

發表於 08-6-3 11:26 |只看該作者

For telephone, try VOIP (Voice Over IP).

We are using Cable internet and VOIP. Just need to have a router at your home, PC can be off. VOIP can dial normal numbers, so your relatives overseas doesn't need to have a PC or other special equipment - you can talk to them on the telephone.

We tested it out earlier this year - 5 minutes to Hong kong cost us 16 cents, less than a local call. Local and STD calls on VOIP is also cheaper than the normal rates from Telstra / Optus.

VOIP will also give you your own phone number, so other people can call you as if you have a normal phone line.

The reason for our combination of cable internet + VOIP is because we save on telephone line rental as well.

Most VOIP providers do not require you to sign a contract - so you can try it and see if it suits you or not. You can always go back to the old way of Telstra / Optus without paying a penalty.

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發表於 08-6-4 11:57 |只看該作者

yee~~ I though having new topic means having a new one under Sydney Mums~~~ heehee

Dear sbandliz and Josephine,

Thanks a lot! These info really help me a lot! I love new technology!!

But I wanna more help from you. I msut apply for a fixed line, right? I was told in this way as banks, gas and so on required a fixed line no., is this still true?

1. More precisely, can I replace a fixed line by VOIP?

2. Either VOIP and HK2B requires a internet connetion?

3. If I want kids channels (e.g. Playhouse Disney... any HK channels available?), I need a cable TV?

In sum.. the basic needs are a fixed line, a boardband connection, a cable TV connection???

For VOIP, another subscription; For HK2B, another subscription?

Am I correct? Is there any ways to save money in order to have all these? Sorry for so many questions!

原文章由 sbandliz 於 08-6-3 11:26 發表
For telephone, try VOIP (Voice Over IP).

We are using Cable internet and VOIP. Just need to have a router at your home, PC can be off. VOIP can dial normal numbers, so your relatives overseas doesn' ...

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vanessamom

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發表於 08-6-4 17:07 |只看該作者

hi all Sydney moms,

Just arrived Sydney several days, everything is in a mess! We arrived Sydney on last Sat and my hubby's parents have a car accident in the same day afternoon, both of them went into hospital. The car has been destroyed, and my hubby went to work immediately on Mon, leave us alone in the house......

Get a lot of difficulties in my new life in Sydney, don't want to stay anymore

miss my parents and all the things in H.K.

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joe0526

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546^#

發表於 08-6-4 20:21 |只看該作者

Hi harris_ma,

I've also asked before I came to Sydney whether I must apply for a fixed line. The answer is yes because fixed line is charged based on no. of calls, not no. of minutes/seconds. When you need to do some enquiries to hospital or other organizations, it usually takes very long time and thus using fixed line is cheaper.

HK2B, yes, is another subscription, though with unlimited access. My hubby said the monthly subscription rate has now raised to around HK$140 per month. And you have to have broadband access to use this broadband phone, which is around A$70 for me.

I therefore don't have any more money for Cable subscription la!. My son only watches children programmes on ABC, and I have brought lots of DVD from HK, and we sometimes borrowed DVD from local libraries.

Josephine

原文章由 Harris_ma 於 08-6-4 11:57 發表
yee~~ I though having new topic means having a new one under Sydney Mums~~~ heehee

Dear sbandliz and Josephine,

Thanks a lot! These info really help me a lot! I love new technology!!

...

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Pro-Jamie

男爵府

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547^#

發表於 08-6-5 07:58 |只看該作者

噢！你地一家大細有無事呀？
我在澳洲最初三個月都好掛住香港同埋唔習慣呢度，我都有喊！

遲Ｄ你就會習慣嫁啦！

原文章由 vanessamom 於 08-6-4 17:07 發表 <a href="http://forum.baby-kingdom.com/redirect.php?goto=findpost&pid=23013976&ptid=964527" target="_blank"><img src="http://forum.baby-kingdom.com/images/common/back.gif" border="0" onload="if(this.width>screen.width*0.7) {this.resized=true; this.width=screen.width*0.7; this.alt='Click here to open new window\nCTRL+Mouse wheel to zoom in/out';}" onmouseover="if(this.width>screen.width*0.7) {this.resized=true; this.width=screen.width*0.7; this.style.cursor='hand'; this.alt='Click here to open new window\nCTRL+Mouse wheel to zoom in/out';}" onclick="if(!this.resized) {return true;} else {window.open(this.src);}" onmousewheel="return imgzoom(this);" alt="" /></a> 
hi all Sydney moms, 
 
Just arrived Sydney several days, everything is in a mess! We arrived Sydney on last Sat and my hubby's parents have a car accident in the same day afternoon, both of them went ...

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548^#

發表於 08-6-5 09:12 |只看該作者

Hello Vanessamom,

I am very sorry to hear of the car accident - I hope everyone is OK. Without a car in Sydney will make things more difficult, particularly with all these rain.

Good luck - hope things will get better soon.

sbandliz

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549^#

發表於 08-6-5 09:28 |只看該作者

Re: VOIP / telephone / internet

One thing to point out - you do NOT need a fixed line if you don't want to.

A few years back - we got upset with Telstra and their service / charges, and started looking at alternatives. Our solution is:

Cable Internet with Optus - much faster than standard broadband on the phone line, NO need for fixed line (of course, Cable need to be available in your area).
VOIP with PennyTel - no telephone line required, can get a traditional telephone number, unlimited (meaning not timed) local calls at a much cheaper rate (so you talk on local calls for as long as you like for one flat call charge), much cheaper timed call rates on STD, mobile and overseas.
(see their call plans on http://www.pennytel.com/call_plans.html)

This way, our expenses are:
Internet - ~$50 per month
VOIP - less than $10 per month (calls only, since we don't have to pay an extra $20 odd for line rental)
We have been using this for more than 2 years, and have found that this suits our lifestyle and our budget.

If you don't like Optus, you can consider Telstra's Foxtel for their Cable Broadband.

With the traditional telephone number - other people can call you as if you have a normal telephone line (no extra cost).

Because my kids are still young, we have decided against pay TV (ie. Disney channel etc). But if you want, you can get those on top of your Cable Internet service through Optus / Foxtel.

[ 本文章最後由 sbandliz 於 08-6-5 09:33 編輯 ]

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ngmammy

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550^#

發表於 08-6-5 15:37 |只看該作者

原文章由 vanessamom 於 08-6-4 17:07 發表
hi all Sydney moms,

Just arrived Sydney several days, everything is in a mess! We arrived Sydney on last Sat and my hubby's parents have a car accident in the same day afternoon, both of them went ...

Hi vanessamom,

I understand how you are feeling. The fact that the rainy weather for the last week since u arrived had also make things a little bit more unsettled. But don't worry. The sunny and good days will come soon!

Everytime you are upset then remind yourself the reason your family are here for. This could helps by bringing your mind back to the good things here. It is ture that your life would definitely not be the same as in HK, isn't it the reason your family are here for - for the changes? good changes? I am sure if u give some time to look at this place , you will eventually adapting the life here in no time! Be strong and brave, your husband and daughter need your support!!

Bless you and your family.

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sailomay

別墅

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551^#

發表於 08-6-7 10:03 |只看該作者

I hope you are ok now. Are your in-laws OK?

I moved to Sydney in mid Feb 2008 as my hubby got relocated by his company. Almost 4 months already...Yes for new arrivals from HK it is really tough. I don't have kids yet (I indeed had a miscarriage right before I moved to Sydney) and when i first arrived I even could not figure out where is North, South and West. I totally understand the frustruation...

You will definitely feel things are more in control in few months time. Where are you staying? Do you need to find a place to live?

The rental market is going nuts recently. If you can stay with your in-laws family it would be great.

Bless you and hope things are getting better in this sunny day!

原文章由 vanessamom 於 08-6-4 19:07 發表
hi all Sydney moms,

Just arrived Sydney several days, everything is in a mess! We arrived Sydney on last Sat and my hubby's parents have a car accident in the same day afternoon, both of them went ...

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sailomay

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552^#

發表於 08-6-7 19:47 |只看該作者

and Venessamom, is your husband 457 visa holder? I saw you have posted a question in another topic asking about private insurance. In a backgrounder of 457 visa it says if visa holder and dependents need to use public medical resources, thier sponosr will be liable to thier expense. I don't know if it means insurance in another word. For us, we initially did not get any insurance coverage. We then double check with my hubby's company after reading that 457 visa information, his company then paid for our insurance plan.
so, you can double check with your hubby's company

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553^#

發表於 08-6-10 08:58 |只看該作者

Dear vanessamom,

Don't worry, 1st thing 1st ! Even though I don't have the same experience with you yet, I can image how frustrated it could be. Hope you can overcome with the 'mess' soon, also hope your parents are ok!

Try to go out for a wild walk with your daughter (right?) when the rain stopped. Enjoy a little time of your own.

原文章由 vanessamom 於 08-6-4 17:07 發表
hi all Sydney moms,

Just arrived Sydney several days, everything is in a mess! We arrived Sydney on last Sat and my hubby's parents have a car accident in the same day afternoon, both of them went ...

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積分: 122

554^#

發表於 08-6-10 09:05 |只看該作者

We're also 457 visa holder (as temp. resident), the regulations stated that for any 457 holder going to a public hosptial, it is the COMPANY which is liable for the full cost, that's may be the reason for most companies providing insurance to 457 visa holders. Check with the company.

原文章由 sailomay 於 08-6-7 19:47 發表
and Venessamom, is your husband 457 visa holder? I saw you have posted a question in another topic asking about private insurance. In a backgrounder of 457 visa it says if visa holder and dependents ...

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555^#

發表於 08-6-10 09:13 |只看該作者

Dear sbandliz and Josephine,

Thank you for the details, I love advanced technology!

I'll discuss with my hubby. I love turning off the computer to prevent my little Harris in playing with the keyboard; but I like the unlimited call in HK2B... a hard choice

Just a silly question: what will your kids do when you're cooking? My little boy is just 2 years old so I want Playhouse Disney Channel in occupying him while I'm busy in the kitchen. Other ways out? I'll be totally new in being a housewife (hope not a desparate one) and a mother.

Another question: I like watching free TV series like CSI and Prison Break in TVB Preal. Any similar TV series in Oz?

Thanks

原文章由 sbandliz 於 08-6-5 09:28 發表
Re: VOIP / telephone / internet

One thing to point out - you do NOT need a fixed line if you don't want to.

A few years back - we got upset with Telstra and their service / charges, and started look ...

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556^#

發表於 08-6-10 09:23 |只看該作者

Diapers?

Dear Sydeny mums,

After milk powder, phone, I got another question: Which brand of diapers/ diapers pants are good for a 2-yr-old boy? Good in terms of money and value, my son's skin is quite sensitive and easy to have rash if it's too hot or too dry.

Thanks

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557^#

發表於 08-6-10 11:27 |只看該作者

Dear sbandliz,

This is Harris_ma on the VOIP again. I checked the webpage of Optus for the boardband plans. These are quite different from those in HK, I don't really understand them.

If I keep my computer on all day, making internet phone call and listen to the radio, does it mean I need both a larger data usage and higher speed?

原文章由 sbandliz 於 08-6-5 09:28 發表
Re: VOIP / telephone / internet

One thing to point out - you do NOT need a fixed line if you don't want to.

A few years back - we got upset with Telstra and their service / charges, and started look ...

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558^#

發表於 08-6-15 21:39 |只看該作者

Hello Harris_ma,

Nappies - Huggies is a popular brand here, and I have found the brand from Aldi is reasonable quality and great price. But if your little one is sensitive, you will have to try & see.

TV - CSI is on at 8.30pm Sunday night on Channel Nine - see this link for TV Guide (not sure about Prison Break as I am not a fan):
http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/tvguide/0/20:30#tvGuideTable_1

Internet - just had a look at Optus:
http://personal.optus.com.au/web/ocaportal.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=personal_cable_producttypeHSD_marketSegmentres&productpath=/personal/internet&FP=/personal/internet/broadband/cable/plansandratescable&site=personal
My plan is not listed there anymore as we signed more than a year ago. Our plan allows 7GB peak + 7GB off-peak before the speed is slowed down (VOIP still works fine when the speed is slowed down). I found that we have more than enough as long as my husband limits his music downloads to off-peak (late at night) or wait until the last week of the month. VOIP doesn't use much, and there is more than enough for me to work, surf the net and watch clips on youtube and TVB TV series on the net.

Hope this helps.

sbandliz

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sailomay

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559^#

發表於 08-6-23 18:18 |只看該作者

Airticket to HK

Hi all Sydney parents,
I am now planing to visit HK in Dec, it is my first return after landing... any good recommendation re travel agent?

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ngmammy