Sometimes, a booking just doesn’t work out…

On Friday, the day of my birthday, I found myself doing what long-term travelers so often do, sitting with my laptop and a cup of coffee, trying to smooth out the next wrinkle in our ever-moving lives. This time, the task was arranging transportation from the port in Seattle to Vancouver, Washington, where we will stay for four nights while visiting dear friends Rita and Gerhard.

Once our ship arrives in Seattle, we will need to arrange transportation for the two-and-a-half- to three-hour drive, depending on traffic. It is about 170 miles, 274 kilometers, not an impossible distance, but far enough to require thoughtful planning when you are hauling suitcases that feel heavier with every passing year.

We briefly considered taking the train. On paper, it looked reasonable, but when we walked through each step together, the reality felt exhausting. We would need an Uber from the port to the train station, wrestle our heavy bags on and off the train, then repeat the whole production at the other end just to reach the hotel. Renting a car created the same headache, plus the added nuisance of airport runs on both ends. For us, the goal is always the least stressful path, even if it costs a little more.

The simplest solution seemed obvious. Pay for a private driver to meet us at the port and take us straight to the hotel. One transaction. One smooth ride. No juggling luggage on and off multiple vehicles.

After a few hours of research, I came across GetTransfer, an international company with a polished, comprehensive website and prices that looked better than many competitors. I saw enough positive reviews to feel reasonably comfortable. I booked a private shuttle for US $475 dollars, about AUD $674.50, and promptly received a confirmation.

A short time later, my phone chimed. It was a text from the driver that read, “I am not accepting this ride. It’s too far.”

I stared at the screen, completely baffled. Too far for 475 dollars? I politely texted back asking him to arrange a refund. His response was even stranger. “I don’t know who you are and what you want.”

I immediately began hunting for the company’s phone number, which took longer than it should have. When I finally reached them, they refused to issue a refund, citing their nonrefundable fare policy. I had seen that note on the website, but we were not canceling. The driver had refused the trip.

The entire frustrating exchange consumed about two hours of my birthday.

Afterward, I dug deeper into their reviews and quickly realized I should have done more homework. My mistake. Many customers reported similar issues, especially around denied refunds when drivers failed to show or declined rides. Can you imagine the stress if a driver didn’t show up at the port and we had to arrange such a long drive at that time?

I checked our credit card and saw the charge was still pending, which meant I had to wait. Late last night, it finally posted. First thing this morning, I contacted the credit card company. Thankfully, they were immediately helpful. They will issue a temporary credit within three to five days while they investigate the dispute, a process that could take months behind the scenes.

For now, though, we can set it aside. We have been down this road before, and our credit card companies have always come through for us.

Right in the middle of all this, Rita and Gerhard called to wish me a happy birthday. When I explained the shuttle debacle, they immediately and repeatedly insisted they would simply drive to Seattle and pick us up.

At first, we resisted. We hate to inconvenience anyone. But Gerhard gently explained it was time for them to visit his sister in Seattle anyway, and they could stay overnight at her home. That softened our stubbornness, and finally, we gratefully accepted.

That is just who they are. Generous. Thoughtful. The kind of friends who quietly mean so much to us both.

We are truly blessed to have them in our lives, along with so many wonderful friends scattered across the world.

Now that our tax preparation is complete and everything is in our accountant’s capable hands, our next task is to book a rental car from Vancouver, Washington, to Minnesota. Because cross-country one-way rentals are so costly, we will arrange for a different rental once we arrive in Minnesota for our 27-day stay.

In the coming months, we will also book our flight to South Africa and line up a rental car for our time in Marloth Park.

And just like that, another small chapter of nomadic life moves forward.

That is it for today, folks. Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, February 22, 2016: