Boy it has been bad this time. Must be because I am getting older but cannot recall taking this long to get over jet lag. Travelling Business Class was great from the comfort point of view but makes no differece to the Old Bod when you land. I am finding I am wide awake at 2 am and then fall asleep at 6 am and wake at 11 am. Totally disorientating. As this is the fourth or fifth time I have visited the impetus to get out and about and the need to See and Do Things is diminished and that is a good thing else I would think I was wasting my days. The main reason for coming to Australia is, of course, to see my daughter not necessarily to dash around sightseeing but if you were here on holiday I think you might think differently.
No matter. I made it to the Harbour yesterday and oh it was just so lovely to see it again. It is one of my favourite places even though it was heaving as a cruise ship was moored near the bridge. Most of the area around the Opera House was full of what looked like the entire popuation of Tokyo all running around screaming and shrieking at the tops of their voices and taking endless pictures of themselves posing in Anglo Saxon Attitudes with the opera house behind them. And I apologise if you feel this is unfair but last time I was i Oz and we went to the Blue Mountains, a place of indescribable beauty the same thing happened when we were engulged by two coach loads of Japanese tourists. Anyway, enough. I had lunch and just sat and looked and relished it all.
Main problem this week has been the apartment I have rented. I did it through AIRBNB and, yes one has to gamble I know, but this has been a stinker. Described as 'sun drenched' and 'beautifully decorated' it is, quite frankly, a dump. It is a tiny studio divided in half by wardrobes which means that the light from the windows is blocked and half the studio is in permanent gloom. The decor is dire with flaking paint falling off the bathroom ceiling and no cover on the light in the living room which means there are exposed electrics right next to the sprinkler system.....
Kitchen is a hole in the wall and totally inadequate. I could go on and on. I have investigated the website and have discovered there is a complaints procedure which I have started. I have been in touch with the Host who rented out the property and told him my thoughts and asked for a refund and informing him that I will be taking it further. So we shall see. Fortunately my daughter's house mate was unexpectedly away this week which meant that I have been able to stay here for most of the time otherwise I would have booked myself into a hotel.
But in case you think it is all doom and gloom here are two pics of one of my favourite places. I am seriously contemplating cruising to Australia the next time I visit. Expensive, but at least I won't have jet lag.....
