There’s a first time for everything. The Melbourne airport domestic terminal security staff confiscated our manicure scissors today – both mine and Ted’s left-handed ones. They had blades less than 2cm (not even one inch) long.
There’s no point in questioning those decisions; the officer offered to let me go back and check the small bag containing them, but an extra checked bag would have cost far more than buying new scissors.
I checked later, of course, since the Jetstar website didn’t list them as prohibited. I certainly could have put them in the checked bag had I known. It turns out that it’s not the individual airlines, but Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) that bans “pointed scissors” in carryon luggage. https://www.casa.gov.au/packright/search-items
That was especially interesting since this is our third flight in Australia, and those scissors have gone through the same kind of scanners each time.
Oh well.
Our 45 minute flight – on which we each qualified for a $10 snack – got us into Canberra before noon. Since we’d forewarned the hotel, they had our apartment ready.
For the next 8 nights we’re in Canberra’s Braddon neighbourhood, in a one bedroom apartment in the Deco Hotel. It’s not in the CBD, but everything we want to see and do is within about a 30 minute walk, and since we’re now in the ACT (Australian Capital Territory) there’s an excellent transit system.
The nightly rate was already reasonable, and made more-so by an “every third night free” policy that means we’re only paying for 6 nights despite staying for eight. It is arguably our nicest accommodation yet – although Ted says he misses the separate little office area we had in Melbourne.
The modern touches here, like “mood lighting” options on all the lights, and a combination microwave/convection/grill/conventional oven (with detailed instructions on how to use it and the laundry appliances available on the SmartTV!) are wonderful.
When we unlocked the apartment door it triggered the blackout curtains to open in the living room, instantly letting in light and our view. As grandson #1 would say, “trippy”.
As a bonus, my OCD tendencies are completely satisfied by the clean, coordinated decor. Everything is shades of black, grey, and white, with accents of burnt orange.
Even the dishes and flatware are black, with smoky grey waterglasses and burnt orange coffee mugs, teapot, and kettle.
We also have a lovely balcony.
Even though this particular “hotel room” is an apartment with full kitchen and laundry, there are still hotel-type amenities: full daily housekeeping (or a $10 per night food and drink credit any day we choose to forego it), an in-room safe, a pricey minibar (not that we’ll use it), a gym, an on-site Italian restaurant with daily specials, and a 24-hour concierge. There’s no gorgeous pool, hot tub, sauna or rooftop lounge the way there was at The Aspire in Melbourne, but we didn’t use those anyway because we were so busy there.
Canberra is our “slowdown” city before we head to Sydney, with only a couple of sites prioritized here: the Federal Parliament, and the Australian National War Memorial.
Beyond that, we can simply stop and smell the roses – or whatever happens to be growing in the National Botanic Gardens, and take in a comedy show featuring Jimmy Carr at the Royal Theatre in the National Convention Centre.
To help maintain a less frenetic pace, we strolled to the Canberra Civic Centre shopping area and picked up groceries at Coles. It’s our intent for the next week also to slow down our restaurant dining pace and eat a bit healthier. Tonight it will be a simple supper consisting of a fresh salad and Italian cold-cuts on fresh ciabatta.
Tomorrow is Sunday. So far, we have no firm plans beyond doing “something”.
Rose and Ted’s Excellent Adventure 