The Airport and Customs

Once off the plane, it was off to get my luggage and meet the driver who was to take me to the apartment in Melbourne.
Just before the flight landed, we were handed a card required by Australian immigration. The basic information requested was info from my passport, as well as where I would be staying in Australia.
Before proceeding to baggage claim, I had to pass through immigration, where I handed my passport and the immigration card to the immigration official. A quick once over, a stamp on my passport, and I was clear.
I proceeded to baggage claim and retrieved my luggage. Customs officers were hanging around, and a K-9 officer was having his dog take a pass at pretty much every bag, including mine. No worries, nothing to hide here.
Then it was off to customs. This was pretty straight forward, just put all of my baggage (carry ons included) through an X-Ray machine. Once out the doors, I located the driver there to pick me up. The driver took my bags, and we walked to the car. Being American, I proceeded to the right side of the car, threw my laptop case in the back seat, and started to open the door. That's when I realized I was definitely in another country, for there was the steering wheel. Oops. While I knew that cars were made that way in Australia, it's just habit to proceed to the right side of a car when you're a passenger. So, around to the left side, and into the car.
The drive was interesting, my first experience driving on the opposite side of the road.
Once we arrived at the apartment, the driver unloaded my baggage, and left. This was another culture shock - no tipping. I almost felt guilty not giving the guy a tip for handling my baggage, but tipping is not a custom here.
So, it was up to the apartment. I had arrived in Australia.