Yesterday’s drive from Penguin to our hotel at Hobart Airport was relatively uneventful, which is often exactly what we hope for on a travel day. The roads were easy to follow, the scenery familiar yet still beautiful, and there was a pleasant sense of moving forward without complication. After weeks in Penguin, there was a subtle shift in leaving, a feeling that comes each time we close one chapter to begin another.
We did lose the WiFi signal for about ninety minutes as we made our way through a more remote stretch. It is interesting how quickly that absence is noticed, even when you expect it. Still, we managed to find our way easily. The route had been reviewed ahead of time, and the signage was clear enough that we never felt uncertain. In a way, those disconnected stretches remind us that we are capable of navigating without constant updates and alerts.
It wasn’t until we were near the airport that we finally regained a signal. By then, it felt almost unnecessary, as we had already reached our destination. There is always a sense of relief when the connection returns, even if it serves no immediate purpose.
The hotel’s location near the airport was certainly convenient, especially for our departure. However, convenience sometimes comes with trade-offs. We learned that the hotel charged AUD $15, about US $10.54, for the shuttle this morning. It is one of those small details that catches you off guard, not unreasonable, but still something you would prefer to know in advance.
As the evening unfolded, we realized this would not be one of our more comfortable stays. The WiFi never worked in our room or even in the lobby, which left us surprisingly limited in how we could spend the evening. After dinner, we had nothing to watch, nothing to stream, and no easy way to pass the time other than playing games on our phones. Even the television was of little use, with shows refusing to load due to the poor connection.
In hindsight, I wish I had downloaded a movie or two before we left Penguin. It is such a simple step, yet one that makes a big difference on nights like this. Travel has a way of teaching these small lessons, often at the exact moment you wish you had thought ahead.
The discomfort continued with the air conditioner/heater, which was not working properly. The room felt cold, and the thin covers did little to keep us warm. With the outdoor temperature in the mid forties Fahrenheit, about 4.44 degrees Celsius, it made for a long night. There is something about being cold that makes everything else feel just a bit more difficult.
I went down to reception to ask about the WiFi, hoping there might be a simple solution. Unfortunately, there was nothing they could do. To their credit, they offered us a fifty percent discount on our dinner and drinks, which we appreciated. It did not fix the issues, but it was a kind gesture.
For dinner, I ordered the salmon, a modest portion of about four ounces, while Tom chose the seven-ounce steak. The meal itself was mediocre, not something we would remember beyond this moment. After the discount, our bill came to US $46.73, or AUD $66.41. Paying full price would have been frustrating, so in that sense, the discount softened the experience.
This morning brought another small surprise. The shuttle took us to the airport, but due to ongoing construction and the airport’s design, we were dropped off farther away than preferred. We remember this issue from our time at this airport in February.
Undeterred, we each grabbed a trolley and made our way toward the Virgin Australia check-in counters. I pushed one, while Tom handled the heavier one, and together we navigated the path without much trouble. These are the moments that rarely stand out, yet they are part of the fabric of travel.
We had carefully weighed our bags ahead of time and paid US $163.92, or AUD $232.78, a few days ago, as excess baggage fees. It is one of those details that requires attention, as even a small oversight can lead to additional costs if one waits to pay at the airport. It always appears to cost less for extra bags when paid online in advance of travel day.
The nuances of travel are always present. We have come to accept them as a routine part of this unusual life we have chosen. Not every experience is seamless. Some are simply inconvenient, like a cold room or unreliable WiFi. Others can, at times, be far more significant.
We share these moments openly with you, our readers, not as complaints but as a way to present an honest picture. It would be easy to highlight only the beautiful views and memorable experiences, creating the impression that everything unfolds perfectly. But life, whether at home or on the road, does not work that way.
There are always ups and downs, small irritations and, occasionally, more meaningful challenges. They are part of the journey, just as much as the highlights. In many ways, they keep us grounded, reminding us that this lifestyle, while rewarding, is still real life.
As we move forward, we are looking ahead to a better hotel experience in Brisbane tonight and, most exciting of all, smooth sailing as we prepare to board Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas for tomorrow’s 25-night cruise. Oops, we just noticed on the departures overhead screen that our flight is being delayed by 20-minutes. At least it wasn’t canceled. No complaints here. As long as we have our health and each other, life is good.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, April 13, 2016
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