Sep12 Melbourne travelogue

Abstract Travelling with a toddler is very interesting. Suffering through poor customer service is not. But overall, the experience was enjoyable! Here's how we spent the last five days.

• Purpose: MrsG's sister marries @ Comme on 15Sep12
• Method: Jet Star flights JQ513 SYD-MEL 10:00-11:35 12Sep12, JQ509* MEL-SYD 10:10-11:10 16Sep12, Skybus transfers MEL-SthX Station,  SthX Station-Accommodation, Accommodation- SthX Station,** SthX Station-MEL.
• Scope: Introduce Jr to air travel, keep him and us entertained inexpensively†
• Marked aspects- cause for complaint which is to be addressed directly with the provider where possible / necessary

12Sep12

Depart Kings Park NSW at 0711. Arrive SYD 0830 via Blu Emu and LTCP transfer bus. Get off the bus at T3, forgetting that T2 is the multi-user terminal (could have been worse: could have gone to T1), but it isn’t that far apart and, on our way through the STCP we pick up a trolley for $4. At check-in, we’re called forward, bags tagged, and on our way to gate 49. So far, a marked improvement on our previous Jet Star experiences.

Arrive MEL 1145 as the captain was asked to slow down! Mid-September and still there’s snow on some of the higher peaks. Jr so far very impressi…oh now: melt-down starts on descent. He’s been up since 0530, had been in the car for 90min after that, then a short bus-ride, and now he’s being told to sit still, but he’s done No.3s as well as wanting to be with daddy. The melt-down stops when we land, but he has a major chuck (vomit) as I take him while I have to make a visit. It took me on one side of the hallway, MrsG on the other, and a complete stranger, to get the attention of an attendant, which we thought we’d missed. While waiting, I almost re-enacted our Hobart experience, as well, by leaving my phone in the accessible toilets: waited for the girl who went in after me- she’d stepped in it: I told her “That’s his, that’s mine,” indicating the mess and phone.

That was all he needed to do. He was OK now- we collect our luggage, and another trolley, have to wait for the next SkyBus transfer (our luggage wouldn’t fit); eventually transfer to Southern Cross Station, with an ad for free hotel transfers piquing our interest. We waited what appeared to be an indeterminable time for the drivers to decide to take us where we wanted to go, and get the No.21 bus which stopped along the way for guests of the Formule 1, Elizabeth Street.

And here’s my first gripe. Back in the day, the Skybus would stop outside the accommodation [yes, I have used the service before- the onboard advertising only highlighted it for me as I showed MrsG], not across the street or around the corner. The other couple (quite possibly mother and daughter- the younger getting a you-got-the-job call on the way) were dropped across the road from their motel. Surely a little more / better planning would have resulted in being able to drop them at the door? What’s more, we were dropped around the corner from our accommodation in Exhibition Street. We had carry-on luggage for all of us, plus a large bag each, with which we had to struggle up Flinders Lane. Surely this way would have been less of an inconvenience to all concerned? 

The Punthill Manhattan is our recommended-and-so-chosen accommodation. Probably not the style we’d have chosen for ourselves but as we were in wont of serviced apartments, it wasn’t that bad [the pic on their front page is the room we had]. What I objected to, though, was having to pay up front! Again, probably something that was outlined in the T&Cs and not something we can do anything about (except with our feet). All three of us are dead on our feet, but we head back, via Spring Street, toward SwanstonStreet as I know there’s something quick there. We pass the IGA Express on the way, making note of this for our grocery needs. I remember McDonalds being on Flinders next to Young & Jackson’s, but see that I’m mistaken- not a big error. During lunch, there’s a “character” who comes in simply for a cup of water. He hassles a young blind boy, starts singing to some of the younger patrons (something about shaking an ass), and discusses the God-given cleansing water with a young muso-looking guy.

But the whole thing has taken its toll on jr, who falls asleep having not had much at all to eat. So his first experience on a tram is during his sleep. We all return to the room, conveniently located at the end of the ground-floor corridor behind reception, with only two other neighbours, and don’t surface again until after 6.

The refrigerator is conveniently decorated with a menu from Mr Delivery. We choose Indian, which we priced at about $85, but came to about $95 due to incorrect pricing. Also, there were many items not included in the menu which caused issues at the other end. Another note to the Punt Hill people- perhaps more recent publications are in the room/s. Dinner arrived 75min later [guarantee on publication is that 95% of deliveries are within 45min], with an apology, but ohh was it good! Mixed Platter, three serves of Naan, rice, “traditional chicken curry”, lamb saag, lemon lime bitters, and AJ. Plenty for both dinner and tomorrow’s lunch! [Even using the online menu now, the meal came to 83.55, with 6.95 delivery. I hope I still have the receipt. But I reiterate, ohh was it good!!!]

Another note to the Punt Hill people- $18/day for Internet access?!!? In these days of free Internet access (which I found just across the road in Collins Place), surely this is a little excessive?! I know the Crown charges $25, which is even more excessive, but this isn't the Crown! 

Thursday

To MrsG’s great despair, there is always a good use for Foursquare. One is to retrace one’s steps when one has lost something (used it for this back in January when I lost my keys- didn’t let me find them but was useful!), the other is to retrace one’s steps when writing about one’s travels! Our first full day in one of my favourite cities in Australia, and we have plans only for a trip to St Kilda to see the penguins (thanks Bart Penison, who told BIL about them- beats a trip to Phillip Island!

Breakfast and groceries are the first order of the day. Knowing about the IGA Express around the corner, we thought about breaking our fast first. Now, when in Melbourne, do as Melburnians- which means coffee. But purveyors thereof don’t necessarily accept EFTPOS so we decided on brekky in our room, which we got from the IGA (when we found it- I had it pegged in the Spring/Exhibition block, but it’s  Exhibition/Russell). Then it was off to find a proper grocery store, plus some other while-in-Melbourne shopping.  

http://maps.google.com was not useful at all, having a Coles supermarket in the Spring/Exhibition block directly behind our hotel. So we went walking, stopping first at Target on Bourke. MrsG picked up a few essentials, and we also got a stroller for Jr, after he’d taken a liking to a push motorbike in the toy section [note to self- Christmas list to include an etcha-sketcher, and an electronic drum kit we saw]. Next stop, Gloria Jeans- OK, we’re in Melbourne, and there’s probably a helluva lot more and better coffee outlets nearby, but this was handy to our previous stop, and despite the owner of the store occupying the seat we wanted, and not offering it to us, we went in. We got some “waterwater” for jr, and eventually headed for a Woolworths that http://maps.google.com told us was on Swanston between Bourke and La Trobe, and found Coles Melbourne Central instead.

Following another melt-down which derived from a wont for “waterwater” and a disinclination to be in his new stroller, we lugged our stuff back home. But first, a word about commuting in Melbourne. Yesterday on the tram stop we were told about the new Myki system which was replacing Melbourne’s Metcards. The  Metcards are still in use, but being phased out (like the W-class trams on the City Circle, apparently). You have to buy the card, $6, and then put money on it. Here’s where we went wrong. We should probably have just put money on ours instead of buying a weekly each. Card + weekly ×2 = $120! Hindsight is such a great teacher! But we got a  Metcards single to Flinders Street for $3.20, and got the City Circle tram back from Elizabeth/Flinders to our room, with a sleeping boy on my arm, again! All the fares we would have paid (not including the City Circle tram) totalled $73.60 if we'd have used the old Metcard 2hr and daily fares. 

When we all got up, we’d got a text from BIL at the St Kilda breakwater. He had taken his daughter to see the penguins and we’d been invited to join them with dinner afterward. At the tram stop we learned that  Metcards are no longer available through retail outlets, and that Myki seemed to be the only option. So we parted with $120, and caught the 112 tram down Collins Street, walked across Jacka Bvd to the pier, saw a number of the little guys (photographing one without a flash) and headed back to the Beachcomber to have dinner with BIL, SIL, and niece; returning on the 96 tram. It didn’t take too long for either of us to crash after all of that!!

Brownie Points

1. While it was hailing ball-bearing sized stones, a lady left her party to shelter me and jr from the elements. She walked from about 1/4 of the way up Flinders Lane toward Spring Street, back to our room at 57. Nice work, nice lady!

Friday

Another quiet one planned- we had initially planned to spend Wednesday night at Traralgon [link] and yesterday at the Zoo [link] but our host’s husband and daughter both got sick so we’re here! Today, we’re headed out to the burbs to visit with @Carmel’s sister and fiancée. On the way we got some pics at Parliament House, visited Mil Hanna’s [link] café purely by luck, and got to see more of Melbourne’s inner-north than I have before!

We had to draw the visit short coz jr was running around their small flat, which is a shame because we don’t get to see them too often; and then we headed back via Nicholson Street [link], Carlton Gardens playground [link], and the City Circle tram (we only wanted to go to Spring Street, which was literally a short walk from where we were) via the new Docklands [link] siding. Ordered from www.mrdelivery.com.au again, this time Italian. But here’s another gripe: they forgot the staple of all Italian eating- the garlic bread! And then came up with the ridiculous claim that it would take 70min to redeliver (redelivery implies initial delivery). I’ll be checking our bank statement!! The biggest issue of that was that garlic bread is all jr eats! Luckily he loved the penne Bolognese! The family crashed while I watched the Crows-Dockers game (while in Melbourne…)

Saturday

Wedding Day for @Kath and @Terry, but as it’s at 5pm and only 300m from our room, there’s some time to kill. They with whom we had dinner @St Kilda on Thursday invited us to a play-ground @Middle Park, on the 96 Tram route. It’s a huge fort-type construction with all manner of child-friendly constructs. Both jr and his cousin enjoyed it immensely. We then looked toward the café on the platform at Middle Park station, but because of its openness and the cool weather, I suggested to look across the Canterbury Road at cafés in the @Middle Park Village, but we settled on the @Middle Park Hotel for brunch / lunch. It was great food: @Carmel had the mushrooms on toast, while I had the fry-up. Both were $20/plate! Jr had a baby-cino, as did his cousin, which were $2ea.

We headed back home- dropped BIL & niece at their room, MrsG & SIL at #Myers for their wedding-guest make-overs, and went to our room for post-wedding nap and preparation. It was during those preps that I realised I didn’t have a tie, so I put the call out among MrsG's family, and got two offers. Across the road from tonight’s venue was a store called Rhodes & Beckett. I took the chance-and their ties were $99. So I apologised for wasting his time and left. There was a bridal party having pics taken across the space between platforms at the tram-stop outside, and I waited for that to finish. The clerk came out and asked me to come back in. Apparently they’re having a sale on the coming Tuesday and he offered me the tie I said I would take, prior to seeing the price tag, at the sale price. Yoink! Don’t tell my boss, though. No problem!! eMail details? Postal address? Take the contact option out? Thank you. A sorta-kinda gripe comes from this- apparently I was entered onto the database and the contact option was not removed. But in so-doing, I have been invited to the aforementioned sale. However, as the ties attest, this is not the sort of store in which I would normally shop: shirts start $159-189, cufflinks $179, suits $899-1099, and then there’s a women’s section as well. I would get one of the suits, but maybe next time. If you are in their demographic, hit me up for the sale code prior to 30Sep!

We then headed to @Comme for the reason for the visit in the first place: @Kath Crowe and @Terry Rawnsley’s wedding. If Terry was nervous it didn’t show! Then Kath arrived with @Fred Crowe and looked absolutely gorgeous! The ceremony was held at the top of the steps, and if you’re on the right list you’ll see the pics that were taken by the guests. The new couple then disappeared to have photos taken before returning to the party.

We really can’t say too much about the wedding because jr kept us busy-he wanted to be in the ladies’, he wanted to climb up and down the steps, he wanted to party. When he eventually got to sleep next to his cousin, we got down! SIL and BIL didn’t hold back, either, and, well, I think what goes on tour stays on tour. But when “You’re The Voice” came on, that was the end of it for jr, and we had to take him home. After he’d crashed, we packed up, and were in bed ourselves, prepared for the 0630 departure call.

Sunday

Packed and ready, we headed for reception to hand back our keys. “Did you have a **Skybus waiting.” That’s us … and as I got to the top of the steps from reception, I saw same Skybus leave. We had no warning or advice that it was there, except for what the receptionist told us. So I went back in- it’s gone! “You have to be there five minutes before the booking time,” said the helpful clerk. This would have been more helpful coming from the clerk that I woke at 0700 the previous morning, and not from the “too bad so sad” clerk du jour. He made a call to get the bus back, but conveyed to me that it could / would not be done. “They run to a tight schedule” was the response. “Would you like me to call you a cab?” I said he was useless and left. But I had to do something and went back. “I’m struggling with luggage and a 2yo”. He nodded. “I need a Skybus”. “Sorry”. Yeh, you’re sorry. So off we lugged, around the corner to the Collins / Spring Streets tram stop. 45min later we were on the Skybus and headed up the highway. The driver we got seemed a little maniacal, but not as bad as the cabbie who went across three lanes because he was in the Sunbury lane instead of the airport lane.

Into the crowded terminal, and we’re told at the tag-your-own-bag kiosk that the stroller we got on Thursday can go on as carry-on. Through security, into the parents’ room, and down to Gate 24, where Hitler† (his real name will be revealed in the letter to Jet Star) tells us to take it back to get tagged. It’s still sitting there.

The return flight was eventless, except for the woman in 17F (who turned out to be a former tutor of mine) who complained as we fished for jr’s crayons. But then complimented us on our singing during descent! The  woman in 19F also complimented us on our harmonising. All of this because jr did not have a melt-down this time!

Brownie Points

1. A gent at Tram Stop 8 helped us onto the tram with our luggage. Nice work, nice man! 
2. The woman in 17D offered to get our baggage down for us. "I'd be happy to!" I think it's because, during the  flight, jr was very fidgety and kicking the seats in front of him. But the end result was that he did not melt down, and Ms17D showed her appreciation for that. We generally wait to be last-off so we can fix all that up and inconvenience no one. Nice work, nice lady!

So there you have it: some blights on an otherwise great extended weekend. Punthill Manhattan, JetStar, Skybus, and Bluemu (the driver of the LTCP shuttle went to leave while I was still loading our luggage on) will be getting their part of this blog separately.

peterg
17-18Sep12

* The Skybus Hotel Transfer service could make some changes to its policy, unless this was a particular driver making up time, for some reason.

** Another service advertised online …

† With all the add-ons like ensuring you get the seat/s you want at $5/seat/sector, the advertised fare turns out to be the same fare as we would have paid for a Virgin flight

†† I learn now that it’s one of the T&Cs on the Skybus website. My point is, however, that the Saturday clerk did not tell us anything beyond a half-awake acknowledgement of my request.