It was New Years eve. A new year and a fresh start. We arrived in Brisbane to very wet but warm weather, cleared customs after what seemed like ages and proceeded to where we were to be collected and taken to our rental car. There was no-one there. A phone call later and we were told to wait in the carpark and someone would collect us soon - did I mention it was raining. After waiting for ages, starting to get dark now, Anthony came across a very kind bus driver who lent him his mobile so he could call again. A bit more of a wait and then we were off on the first stage of our journey.
Collected the rental car, put what luggage we couldn't get in the boot between the kids, and headed toward our rental accommodation. Couldn't find a map in the car but had a fair idea of where we were going luckily. We decided to stop on the way and get some groceries as we were not sure how late shops would be open or what would be open the following day. So, as well as luggage jammed between the kids, we now all had grocery bags all over us. Luckily our rental accommodation was just down the road. So off on the next stage of our journey.
Pulled up outside the place we were renting a few minutes later only to find lights on and lots of kids running around? Rearranged all the groceries, rummaged through our stuff to find rental accommodation confirmation and checked address. Yes we were at the right place. Sent Anthony in to find out what was going on only to find that these people had rented the place for the week - teach me for joking on the way over that we would probably arrive to find the place didn't even exist, as we had found it on the Internet and paid the 6 weeks up front!!
Sat in the car in disbelief for a while (still no argument mind) and then tried to contact the owner. No joy there so drove around (again without a map) looking for a phone as we didn't think to charge our Aussie mobile before we left NZ. Every phone we found was out of order so we decided the next best thing was a motel. As we didn't know our way around and it was New Years eve, so probably hard to get accommodation, we stopped at the first one we came across and booked a room. Nothing like spending New Years eve in 2 star accommodation. We put what groceries we could fit into the beer fridge (I was pleased then that I had picked up a leg of ham for only $30 - not!), pulled out the couch and made it up for the kids and then proceeded to drink copious amounts of alcohol.
Got hold of the owner the following day and he put us up in other accommodation but the only problem was it was the opposite side of Brisbane to where we wanted to be - but that was only for a week so we lived with it. Nothing like this type of experience to start you doubting your move!
Hopefully this web site will help you get a better start.
