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| Yesterday’s clear blue skies contributed to our colorful beach photos. |
Once we leave a location, our interest in writing a review rapidly dissipates. Arriving at a new location totally changes our focus to absorbing and settling into a new environment, having left the past location behind.
Knowing this, we usually post reviews on such sites as TripAdvisor and the vacation rental site from which we originally booked the rental. In each case, we strive to get this done during the last week before departure.
In the case of this property in Trinity Beach, Queensland, Australia, it is listed on this website. We can’t stress enough the kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness of the owners, Sylvie and Andy. Not only were they helpful and willing to answer endless questions via email many months prior to our arrival, but they were also quick to respond to any inquires or concerns, we expressed while on the premises.
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| The beaches in this area during the winter months are relatively uncrowded. |
Once we move into a location, we tend to be laid back with a few questions or concerns unless there’s a serious issue affecting our safety or comfort. In the case of Sylvie and Andy, living above us in the huge property, it was easy to ask to “borrow” a few items; steak knives, measuring spoons, a spatula, a pot, or a thermos, all of which they promptly supplied.
Having read that we enjoy lounging by the pool, they purchased two comfortable chaise lounges with thick cushions for the pool area that we’ve appreciated and often used.
When on another occasion they’d read we were having trouble cooking in one of the smallest available skillets, later in the day, we found a new huge high-quality frying pan with a glass lid sitting atop the clothes dryer while our clothes were spinning. We’ve used that pan many times wishing each vacation rental had such a skillet.
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| Trinity Beach has many shady areas. Although we didn’t have chairs, we sat on beach towels we’d brought along. |
On top of it all, they’d offered to clean our entire house once a week. Instead, we suggested they only vacuum the area rug and wash the floors once every two weeks.
Their warmth, friendliness, and willingness to suggest activities for us was unstoppable. They couldn’t have been better hosts always chatting when we ran into one another in the carport which occurred fairly often, sharing valuable tidbits of information.
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| View along Trinity Beach and the esplanade. |
This house has been ideal in most ways. The living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, and bath (with separate toilet area) have fully met our needs. Everything throughout the property is in excellent, if not perfect, condition.
The plates, flatware, and kitchen gadgets are matching and of good quality, and other than the few above items we requested, the only additional household items we purchased was a muffin tin, two small baking pans, and a microwave splatter cover, all of which we’re shipping ahead to Fiji, along with the food items we discovered we won’t be able to purchase there.
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| This rock in the ocean is the subject in a painting on the wall, known in the Bay of Islands as one of the rocks of the 12 Apostles in Victoria. |
(Yesterday, we purchased a large box from the post office with a maximum weight of 20 kilos, 44 pounds. Back at home, we packed and weighed the package and we won’t have trouble staying under the maximum allowable weight).
Tom spent a part of each day at home outdoors on the veranda in order to get a better wifi connection utilizing the included wifi service in the house.
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| A wood decorator item on a wall. |
I always used the hotspot “borrowed” from the Telstra store which we’ll return the last day, gobbling up at least a half of a gig each day, over one gig on some days, which proved to be expensive at AUD $140, USD $99.65 for 16 gigs. On average, I reloaded the data every three weeks. Had the signal been better in this property, we’d have avoided this unexpected expense.
Then again, we accept the reality that a property owner doesn’t expect this degree of data use and may not be able or willing to make it available during our stay. On a few occasions, we’ve had no choice but to purchase data when the signal in the property was inadequate such as in Kenya and South Africa.
In all other locations, the WiFi has worked well enough for our use without incurring additional expense. We never know if it’s adequate until we begin to use the provided services and, we never rent a property unless wifi is included in the rent. At this location, it would certainly be adequate for most travelers doing email and searching for various venues.
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| A quaint farm-like decorator box located in the kitchen in the house. |
Another area worthy of mention is the lack of air conditioning for visitors in the hotter summer months. The temperature, while we were here, was rarely over 85F, 29C during these winter months in the southern hemisphere. Had there been AC, we’d never have used it. The summer visitor may feel differently when the temperature can rise to the 90’s F, 30’s C, or more.
We never used the hot tub on the veranda. With the warmth during the day and the insects at night, we had little interest. Plus, we are always sensitive to the cost of electricity, turning off lights and appliances when not in use.
Our biggest issue, one we experience all over the world except the US, is the lack of screens on the sliding doors and windows. As a result, when we’re staying indoors, we’re doing so without fresh air other than two tall, narrow windows (previously mentioned), one in the living room and the other in the bedroom.
Many tourists, here only a week or two, may have no problem with leaving the doors open without screens. Rarely do tourists cook their meals other than a quick breakfast or sandwich. The fact that we cook daily is a huge draw for flies entering the house.
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| This is where we’ve kept the only clutter we leave out. |
The flies magically appear as soon as I begin to prepare meals. Luckily, these flies rarely bite, but the fact that they make everything feel dirty, we’re constantly covering food with clean kitchen towels as it’s being prepared.
Other than flies, there are mozzies, many appearing during the daylight hours and many more at dusk and at night If it weren’t for them and the flies, we’d have been willing to leave the doors open. When we first arrived, we tried it but, after I ended up with dozens of bites itching for days, we changed our minds. Preferring not to wear repellent daily we’ve kept the doors closed. Luckily, there are quite powerful fans in each room.
We’d expected there to be many insects and snakes in this area and have been pleasantly surprised to see relatively few scary looking critters. Early this morning I awakened Tom when I heard something scratching at the bedroom and making odd sounds.
As it turned out, it was a huge ugly gelatinous looking gecko which is harmless. It scampered off when we tried to catch it to put it outside. Most likely, it found a crack in the house and is long gone.
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| This antique mirror with doors is on the wall above the credenza. You can see me in the mirror taking the photo. |
Ants are prolific in Australia as they are in many other parts of the world. We’ve made a special point of not leaving damp kitchen towels in the laundry basket. All of these mentions of “critters” have nothing specifically to do with this property as much as it is an Australian thing. Luckily, there are fewer venomous funnel-web spiders in Queensland, although they’re prolific in Sydney and other states throughout Australia.
As for the location of Trinity Beach, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. There are many exquisite beaches, plenty of restaurants, excellent, conveniently located shops including the local Smithfield Mall and slightly further down the road, Cairns Central Shopping Centre with multi-plex theatre, food court, and multiple restaurants.
Although Cairns is a busy tourist area, Trinity Beach feels less so. Although the local markets and restaurants are busy, it’s never been a problem for us. Traffic is busiest at the many roundabouts on Captain Cook Highway which can be congested at times, especially during rush hour, lunch, and on weekends.
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| We purchased these black washable placemats to prevent watermarks on the wood table. No longer using linen napkins we use these two kitchen towels that travel with us. Neither of us cares to use paper napkins. |
Overall, crowds and traffic haven’t been an issue for us when we plan most outings during the quieter times of the day including on weekends. Our lifestyle doesn’t require that we visit local points of interest on the weekend unless something special is on the agenda that we’d like to see, such as our recent visit to Rusty’s Markets in Cairns on a busy Friday which is only opened on Friday through Sunday.
Overall, we’d give this rental a 4.5 out of 5, high on our overall scale. We’d encourage any travelers to the Cairns area to give Trinity Beach a try, staying at this conveniently located, lovely property, well maintained and respectfully managed by a wonderful couple we’ll always remember. Thanks to Sylvie and Andy. Click here for more information on this vacation home.
Yesterday, we visited the Trinity Beach esplanade for the last time, walking on the nicely paved path, nodding hello to others we encountered along the way. Later, we relaxed on the beach mostly in the shade, treasuring the view and the surroundings. It was the busiest day at the beach we’ve seen since our arrival, which most likely will escalate with spring in the air.
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| Our electrical set up: our a converter/adapter plugged into the wall with our power strip. |
Apparently, locals seldom lounge on the beaches during the winter months, not uncommon in many beach communities throughout the world.
Soon, we’re off to the mall for a few last-minute items to take to Fiji, to pay our luggage fees at the travel agency, and for our final trip to Woolie’s for a few groceries.
Tomorrow, we’ll share more photos and thoughts on the aesthetics of this area, including those we found most appealing and those which may appeal to the most tourists.
Happy day to all.
Photo from one year ago today, September 1, 2014:
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| Tom was checking out the ship’s room service menus posted on the wall in our cabin on the Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas as we prepared to sail from Harwich, London to Boston, USA. For more details, please click here. |
