Back on the Road
Monday I relinquished the World Nomads campervan.Losing Ambassador status I’m again relegated to the lowly Nomad, Wanderer and Backpacker.It comes with a cost.
No pots and pans, no running water, no bowl, no stove – even my spoon had gone missing.
Just me and a backpack far to small to accommodate the acquisitions from along the road – a hand carved tent peg found at Ningaloo Reef; a heart shaped cuddle bone found in the sand at Cable Beach; a piece of quartz from near the China Wall; Birds of West Australia Volume 1 found at a bargain price at Monkey Mia – still looking for the bargain on volume 2; and a host of other trinkets.
Finding the return barn in Sydney turned into an adventure like none other during the trip.
I called to get directions into Sydney.“You’re too far away.I don’t even know where that is When you get closer call and I’ll give you good directions..”I was only a few kilometres away.
Fortunately the attendant at the toll booth had given me good directions.He was by far more helpful than the Auto Barn staff.
Closer, I called again.“I’m on Kings Cross Road; can you tell where to go to return a vehicle?”
“We’re on Williams Road.”
“Can you tell me how to get there?”
“I’ve never heard of Kings Cross Road.If you find a main road, call back. I’ll tell you how to get here.”
Fortunately I found a helpful bystander.I was only two blocks away from Williams Road when I called.Williams Road splits into three roads one of which is Kings Cross Road.I was really on Williams Road, just pointed the wrong direction.
After a tour of a few city blocks I was pointed the correct direction.There it was – Traveler’s Auto Barn but there was no parking.I called again, “Where do I return my vehicle?”
“We’re on Williams Street.”
Yes I know but there is no parking.I need to return a vehicle.Where do I go?”
“We’re on Williams Street.”
“Is there somebody who can give me directions?”
“Let me check.”Somebody else came on the phone.“From Williams Street you turn right on Bourke Street.Vehicles are returned on Bourke Street.”
“Thank you, I can find Bourke Street.”I made a right turn onto Bourke Street and was immediately thrown into the subterranean world – a tunnel to Canberra.Fortunately there was a tunnel exit to Bondi Beach.I escaped the dungeons and back onto the streets of Kings Cross – this time on a road going at a 45 degree angle to all the others.
Eventually I found a road that went to Bourke.Of course the adventure was not over.There was no sign for Traveler’s Auto Barn and it was not located on Bourke.Instead it was at the end of a narrow and dead-end alley made even narrower by the vehicles lining each side.Fortunately the vehicles were worn Ford Falcons so I investigated.With great relief I returned the vehicle.It had taken over an hour to navigate just a couple blocks.
I had hoped to hire another Auto Barn vehicle for my last few days in Australia.A few days earlier I rang to make arrangements.Having been driving their vehicles for nearly four months I’ve grown to believe that even though old, they are reliable.
I was transferred to reservations and was shocked by the greeting, “You know it’s late in the afternoon.I’m ready to go home.What can I help you with?”
“I’m returning a vehicle on Monday and would like to hire something until the following Tuesday.”
“We don’t hire for that short of period.Let me check though.I can get you into a compact Toyota for $47/day.What is your information?I’ll book it for you.”
“Isn’t that very expensive for that vehicle?”
“This is Sydney you know.That’s the best I can do.I’m the only one here and can’t check with my reservations manager until later.”
Fortunately there were other options for car hire available.I’m now driving a Subaru Forester around the Blue Mountains.It cost less than $30 per day.
Right, I don’t have a stove or chair, but after a meal using Ritz Crackers as my scoop, I did find my spoon.I can purchase a stove, pot and chair for less than the difference then hiring from my preferred provider.When it rains I can even sleep in the back of the Forester.
Driving out of Sydney life had changed.People didn’t look with great curiosity at my noticeable decorated campervan.They just passed on by.
Paying my toll to exit the city I was greeted by a familiar face – the same person who had given directions to Kings Cross.I thanked him for his earlier assistance.We chatted about travel for a few moments then I was off.
As dusk captured day I pulled back in to Bungonia State Conservation Area.On Tuesday I was going to descend into the slot canyon.
Thank you Nomad’s Team for making the last 2 months of my Australian adventure a possibility.I enjoyed the opportunity you provided.I even recently realized my trip had been guided by Lonely Planet.For five months I’ve been following Lonely Planet’s Guide to Wildlife Watching.Although it is quite abbreviated it has been an excellent source of information to get oriented to a number of wonderful national parks.
