HOWARD SPRINGS MANDATORY SUPERVISED QUARANTINE FACILITY, DARWIN, AUSTRALIA

 

So here I am.....finally back in Australia! CRICKEY! That took a while! This was after almost a year being overseas. 

I received an exemption to fly out from Australia in 2020 on compassionate grounds.

Then when I tried to return to Australia, the flights were cancelled...multiple times. I did everything I could including contacting the Australian consular but I was told that this was due to the international flight caps introduced by the Australian government. 

Long story cut short (too much drama!), we managed to get the repatriation 16 hours direct flight to Darwin. Maybe I will write a book about all that drama!

As I am writing this blog, it's already the 7th day (counted as Day 6 since the day of arrival is calculated as Day 0).

I couldn't get myself into writing sooner as I was feeling sluggish....you know, all that stuff with jetlag and being overwhelmed with all the procedures to get home. Mental and physical exhaustion.

So let's just skip all that and get down to the Howard Springs Quarantine Facility in Darwin, Australia.

This is a Mandatory Supervised Quarantine Facility.

I did lots of research, watching you tube, articles and stuff to get some info on what is it like to be quarantined here. Sounded pretty good but what people say is not the same as what you experience yourself. Everyone is different so you will have different experience, opinion and expectations.

But before that, click on the link below to get some info about the history of the facility which I found from everyone's best friend , Mr Google:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Springs,_Northern_Territory

Since I am just here roughly one week, that is half of the time of the 14 days mandatory quarantine, I can only share my experience up to today.

POSITIVE SIDE:

PLENTY!

1. The facility is clean and well kept with the all the basic things such as a bed, long desk, bedsheets, towels, a mini fridge, kettle, coffee and tea sachets, paper cups, air conditioner and TV!

2. You get your own room even if you travel with your family or partner. But you are allowed to be together! Go into each other's room, sit at the table at the verandah together etc.

3. You are allowed to be out at the verandah (THIS IS GOLD!!!) but you MUST PUT ON YOUR MASK.

4. There is a laundry room you can use and just follow the schedule provided.

5. They provided us with lots of sanitisers, toiletries, masks, and snacks as well as water which were placed in our room upon arrival. 

6. FOOD? Delicious! I am always looking forward to every meal!

7. You get to socialise /chat with the next door residents as long as you keep your distance and follow the rules!

8. The staff are super friendly and helpful!

NEGATIVE SIDE

CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING SO FAR! Let's hope it stays that way. :)

Check out some of the photos here while I start enjoying my lunch! Bon Appetit!

And oh, The homemade carrot cake with lemon icing is one the best carrot cake I've ever had !! 

Lucky us!

SEE YOU IN THE NEXT BLOG!