And Then We Went On Tour: Adelaide

And Then We Went On Tour: Adelaide

 View from Melbourne Airport's departure lounge

We try to pace ourselves in all the different cities we stay in; apart from seeing friends and visiting places of interest, we like to have a chance to catch up on some rest, and perhaps just pootle around on a leisurely drive to see the scenery, or enjoy an afternoon kip!

I knew I would miss my newspapers, so I took a couple of copies of my favourite "rags" with me: reading a few articles each day, making the news (even stale news!) last! I eked out solving all the crosswords - quick, cryptic, and general knowledge; I like being able to exercise the old brain on a regular basis.

After leaving Melbourne, it was a short flight to Adelaide: a smooth and easy hour and a half that flew(!) by!  Whilst in the air, we were served some nice food, accompanied by a choice of wine. Well, I don't drink anyway, but we refused ours, explaining, "No, we're fine thank you; we're hiring a car as soon as we land in Adelaide, so we won't have anything to drink." A short while later, the steward came back and handed Wendy and me two unopened bottles each, with the smiling comment: "Thank you for being such responsible drivers!" That was such a nice thought; and Wendy does enjoy a glass of wine, when it's safe to do so.

Once landed in Adelaide, and with bags reclaimed from the carousel, we found the car rental office, collected the car, and were soon underway into town. Driving to the next Apartment Hotel was no problem, but this was where we hit a hitch.

The Reception was in the main hotel, and we went there to check in. We already knew the apartment was in another building - this was fine; there was also no lift, and we'd have to climb a flight of stairs to reach it - also fine, we can manage one flight! However, when we drove round to the apartment block, the reality was somewhat different; it was absolutely not what we had expected. 

Maybe all the other places we've enjoyed staying in have spoiled us. Yes, it was a two bedroomed apartment; but it was tiny, and with two massive Chesterfield-style sofas crammed into a small lounge area, just getting in through the front door was quite a squeeze, leaving no room for comfort for the occupants. There was no dining table, just a low coffee table, and of the two bedrooms, one had only a rudimentary wardrobe, already filled up with a hoover, ironing board and other bits and pieces - and no rail to hang our dresses on! - whilst the second bedroom had no wardrobe at all. The kitchen was awful; the dishwasher still held remnants of a dishwasher tablet not fully dissolved stuck inside. Wendy, who knows about these things, reckoned the lower arm of the machine was broken, so it would not work properly anyway. The washing machine was suspect as well. 

Finally, the "one flight of stairs" was actually in two sections with metal treads, and clearly a fire escape, as there was no other way out of the apartment. 

Reader: We rejected it! The Receptionist at the Hotel was terribly apologetic; it was not her fault, and we really felt for her, but we were not prepared to accept something so clearly below standard. Maybe this apartment would suit backpackers, who just wanted somewhere to stow their bags before heading off somewhere else, but that definitely wasn't us.

Wendy swiftly looked up another apartment; it was one which she had considered earlier, but had decided against, because there was no 24-hour reception facility. We now realised we could manage without that and would learn how to check-in on line. The apartment was still available, and within a couple of minutes, we had secured it and were on our way.