Heading to Schipol to start my long journey to Melbourne hotel quarantine. Will turn this tweet into a thread if you want to follow my travel adventures in the #COVID2019 age.

Deserted.

Deserted.

About to board the Amsterdam-Doha flight. About 20 people in total, so social distancing will be much easier...

Deserted.

Doha. Deserted. But colourful!

Now sitting in the Qatar Air lounge in Doha. Some people, but quiet. Could do without the nine — now seven — hour layover. Before the 13 hours flight...

Plane to Melbourne swarming with passengers...

Really deserted.

1. I am now one day into my 14-day mandatory quarantine in Melbourne. It’s been better than expected, minus a few snags, so I thought followers might be interested in the events of the past 24 hours.

2. As the photo indicates, my (wonderful) @qatarairways flight was empty — about 12 people. We disembarked as normal, keeping social distance, and had our temperatures checked before being allowed to proceed. Doctors came on board for one woman, but she just had asthma. No fever.

3. We walked through the deserted Melbourne airport, cleared immigration, and got our bags. (I wiped down mine with sanitiser.) They didn’t search my bag at customs, even though I said I had nuts and dried fruit (sealed in original packaging). We were then given quarantine info.

4. I was put on a bus to the Royal Park Melbourne, an airport hotel. I was initially disappointed not to get a five-star one (it’s four…) like earlier arrivees, but I think it actually has some advantages. There were too many people on the bus (12), but I was able to distance.

5. We checked into the hotel in groups of four. Wore masks and gloves. I gave them my dietary requirements ( #vegetarian4life), got some additional information, and went to my room. Panicked momentarily because I forgot a small bag with my phone and toiletries, but they found it.

6. The room is not fancy, with a view of a carpark, but it’s fine. It’s surprisingly spacious with a giant window, so there is amazing light. The tv is large and very good, with dozens of cable channels. No free Netflix, like some quarantinees have reported. Good shower and bed.

7. My first and so far only frustration was learning I was detained until midnight on the 20th — effectively the 21st. That’s 15 days, not 14, because we arrived at the hotel at 7:30 am. We get more info on that today, so I’ll report back. Others are asking the same question.

8. The detention order we were given says “14-day period” not “14 days from,” which would justify not counting yesterday. We’ll see what happens. I will likely order a car for 12:01 on the 21st if they don’t change the order! Don’t see how they could stop me from leaving then.

9. Breakfast arrived. Way too much sugar — a small muffin, a small danish, some fruit and yogurt. Today’s was much better — see the photo. Just wish there was more of it! I appreciate that the hotel is taking my #vegetarian diet seriously.

10. I was initially very frustrated to learn that although there is some room service, there are only three vegetarian options — and one is a pizza, which I almost never eat. Rumour had it we were not allowed to order groceries from @woolworths. That further upset me.

11. So, lawyer I am, I called the dedicated @VicGovDHHS support line for quarantinees. I left a message, expecting to never hear back. But in fact a very nice woman called my UK mobile a few hours later. She was incredibly nice and very helpful.

12. As it turns out, I could order from @woolworths! I was even given a link that gave me priority delivery as a quarantine. I immediately ordered fruit, veggies, cereal, sparkling water, some cleaning supplies, etc. It was a tremendous psychological boost.