After giving the hostel experience a five night go, I’m going to pronounce it successful, even if it’s not quite as comfortable as a hotel, and not quite as flexible as an AirBnB (where I have a place to myself). But, in counterpoint, it’s a less-expensive option than either of the others – especially when I add in the fees of AirBnB that don’t show up until I complete the purchase. Damn. Those can add about 20%-30% to the cost displayed when shopping for a place to place my head at night. This stint has been in a room to myself with an en-suite bathroom. Next up, in Cairns, is my own room with a shared bath. I’ll let you know.
There is coffee (it’s instant, but OK with me) and tea available in the kitchen that is open 23 hours/day, so bonus there. Trying to use the knives though, is like trying to cut something with a water-rounded rock. They’ve gone far, far past the point of a sharpener being effective; they all need a grinder. The only exceptions are the serrated ones.
Last night there was a BBQ here hosted by the hostel. Sausages and onions on white bread. Nourishing (for the most part) if not especially tasty; the sausages weren’t spicy brats or anything. There was catsup (ketchup?) and plain, dull, yellow mustard available to brighten the look, if not the flavor profile. Fuel definitely for the 20-somethings that are the largest share of the population. I question the choice of several of them to have white wine as an accompaniment. Beer was pretty good to wash it down, though.
Speaking of beer, and I know I’ve made this point before, but damn, it’s pricey! I bought a sixer at the local BWS (Beer Wine Spirits) shop, and the cheapest I found was 22 AUD (about 15.5 USD). It’s called GOAT and how can I pass up the Greatest Of All Time when it comes to beer? No, I don’t think I bought the Natural Light of Australia, it was the lowest price simply because it was on sale. But, maybe I did. You’ll never know... But, I didn’t need to crack open one of the GOATs, since the French/Moroccan guys I met and were chatting with offered me one of theirs.
So far at the hostel, I’ve talked to people from France, Morocco, Germany, NZ, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, Chile, England, Italy, New Caledonia, the US, and, of course, Australia. There are people from Japan that I know are here, but I haven’t spoken with. There are probably other countries represented too, that I’ve forgotten, or haven’t met yet. Everyone has a story, and I really rather enjoy listening to them. As long as I don’t have to share a dormitory-style room with a bunch of snoring and farting 20-somethings whose circadian rhythms are significantly shifted from my own, I think it’ll be a good time.
Pretty nice sunrise this morning. I thought I'd share.
There is coffee (it’s instant, but OK with me) and tea available in the kitchen that is open 23 hours/day, so bonus there. Trying to use the knives though, is like trying to cut something with a water-rounded rock. They’ve gone far, far past the point of a sharpener being effective; they all need a grinder. The only exceptions are the serrated ones.
Last night there was a BBQ here hosted by the hostel. Sausages and onions on white bread. Nourishing (for the most part) if not especially tasty; the sausages weren’t spicy brats or anything. There was catsup (ketchup?) and plain, dull, yellow mustard available to brighten the look, if not the flavor profile. Fuel definitely for the 20-somethings that are the largest share of the population. I question the choice of several of them to have white wine as an accompaniment. Beer was pretty good to wash it down, though.
Speaking of beer, and I know I’ve made this point before, but damn, it’s pricey! I bought a sixer at the local BWS (Beer Wine Spirits) shop, and the cheapest I found was 22 AUD (about 15.5 USD). It’s called GOAT and how can I pass up the Greatest Of All Time when it comes to beer? No, I don’t think I bought the Natural Light of Australia, it was the lowest price simply because it was on sale. But, maybe I did. You’ll never know... But, I didn’t need to crack open one of the GOATs, since the French/Moroccan guys I met and were chatting with offered me one of theirs.
So far at the hostel, I’ve talked to people from France, Morocco, Germany, NZ, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, Chile, England, Italy, New Caledonia, the US, and, of course, Australia. There are people from Japan that I know are here, but I haven’t spoken with. There are probably other countries represented too, that I’ve forgotten, or haven’t met yet. Everyone has a story, and I really rather enjoy listening to them. As long as I don’t have to share a dormitory-style room with a bunch of snoring and farting 20-somethings whose circadian rhythms are significantly shifted from my own, I think it’ll be a good time.
Pretty nice sunrise this morning. I thought I'd share.
RSS Feed