Sunday afternoon at Kerobokan prison. The prison governor drives in. Speaking from the car window, he says he's received the parole papers and Corby will be released some time tomorrow.
OK - it's on. Get ready. After three days staked out on location, it's a strange combination of relief and fear to know the "big day" is here.
From the outside, the prison seems small on a busy road, in an otherwise bustling commercial area. The "Corby Show" as it was termed in a local newspaper, has drawn not only Australian media but foreign media, tourists and curious locals as well. It's very crowded on the dirt driveway. In what feels like 200 per cent humidity.
From 2am, the commercial networks staked out the best locations, boasting huge production crews, 3-4 cameramen each. Not the friendliest environment for a videojournalist (VJ) but there's no time to dwell on the David v Goliath factor.
I pull out my camera and push through the police barrier. All the while, the police seem entertained by the media presence. Some are taking photos, smiling and laughing as we jostle for position.
Making a snap assessment of the situation, I snare an unguarded step ladder from Channel 10's camp. Take a few steps back from the crowd and zoom in on the prison door. All channels are crossing live to the scene. Reporters struggling to fill the time. "We're still waiting here. She should emerge any moment now. A police van is ready to go," journalists report from the scene.
Then it happens. A few shouts from officers on the door. It busts open, and within 30 seconds Corby is pushed into the van, face covered. Everyone is yelling. Limbs, cameras, phones bouncing around like hot potato.
The siren fires up and the cameramen clinging onto the van start to jump off. Now the chase is on.
Journos get on the back of motorbikes, and into hire cars all the while narrating the scene. I rush back to the corner where I've parked my equipment and jump into a car with a couple of radio journalists.
The scene at the Corrections Office is no different. But this time, some people are injured in the rush. I'm completely overwhelmed but also caught up in the scoop.
The media convoy relentlessly pursues Corby, until she is whisked away inside the exclusive Sentosa resort.
Now to compose myself and put the story together. Keeping an ear to the rumours and movements around me. It almost becomes confusing what the story is. The fact Corby has been released on parole, or the whirlwind experience I just had trying to capture it all on camera.
It's surprising how quickly the hype dies off.
The next night at the airport - just like a battle on the football field after the final whistle - rival journalists and cameramen alike are friends, enjoying a drink before the journey home.
