The Hostel shuffle in Wellington

Random book in bag

An experience in a hostel on my last trip away left me with the idea that I should share the experience with my thoughts on the event that had occurred and maybe show this is not exactly the norm for any place that you should stay in. I have spent 10 years travel on and off going through hostels and this experience was the first time I had what I am writing about occur. It was an interesting experience for Wellington, New Zealand. I had some dates booked and this place was my second choice to stay for the reason I couldn’t visit my usual hostel as it had been booked out on the dates I wanted. I chose this one for the convenience to locations like the bus and the National Archives. I have had past experiences here that left me disappointed like stripping every bed in the dorm and on my return finding I had to choose a new bed and since I hired a towel, to be inconvenienced by their time period to get a new clean towel.

Names mean something

Here is the story as follows

A Wellington hostel upon checking in told me that they would be moving me several times while I am staying with them. I am not worried about being informed, but I did find it annoying though. A comment was used that my booking is different from other people’s bookings. I do not know if it is because of group bookings as this place had a few school groups and elderly people groups stay there. The first day that I had to move, I could stay in my room as I was going to be out all day. The second time I was able to move rooms at 8am and was not told of any other move. Others in my room were told that they had to move the next day, which I thought was annoying. I was happy not to be moving anywhere. The third day however, I was out all day doing my thing at the NZ National Archives and returned.  I needed coins for the washing machines and went up to my room. My belongings were not there when I walked in. There were other people in the room, which is never unusual and said my stuff wasn’t there as they must have been there when the room had been cleaned. I had thought it strange as my keycard still worked for that particular room. It could have turned into a nightmare for the young ladies in the room especially when the time was after 5pm. I ended up going back down stairs to reception as I was wondering what was going on. I wanted to know where my belongings had ended up.

I spoke to the same reception lady who gave me the change for the washing machines. I told her which room I was in and she looked at my details and realised I had to move rooms, but my belongings were in storage lockers, which were luckily next to the reception area. I was not charged for the storage facilities luckily enough. I did move to my new room, which was already full of people and the only spare bed was the top bunk. These people were workers who spent time on construction sites within Wellington. I was actually leaving the next day, but they all had to move into another room due to some group booking and move back several days later. I had been worried for my towel that I had paid $2 for rental and a $10 deposit on. Plus I had my passport within the depths of one bag as well.  I had been more concerned about losing my deposit on the towel as $10 is $10 and can go pretty far especially if you are travelling. That includes the $20 for the key deposit and would add up to $30 all up in cash that I can get returned to me on checkout. I never became angry with them over this event as its too much energy to waste and being angry would not have gotten me anywhere at all and could have gotten me removed from a safe, secure environment. No idea if there is any sort of Blacklist. The towel and passport were the first things I looked for once I had my bag out of the storage locker

There is a reason I have not really mentioned my electronics as I did have them in my bag, but my day bag at that time. Since I was in the National Archives, I wanted to save my phone camera photos to my external storage and was using my computer for that. Besides they had powerpoints as well so I had those on me too. It meant my most valuable assets were under my personal protection. The first room I had stayed in did have a locker, but the previous two did not so as expected anything could happen, but the rooms were secure from outsiders unlike other hostels I have been in where room doors can be opened by anyone.

On the mention of power points, one in my original room was actually loose. Loose as in I had to be careful removing my power devices from the wall without the powerpoint coming with my powercords after pulling them out. If I really wanted to I could have fit my fingers behind the point to touch the cables. This is life and I have honestly had worse. Worse is bringing bedbugs home with you from a dodgy hostel. I had that from a Sydney one in Pitt Street that I think no longer exists and another at a Base X hostel well over 6 years ago.

The random finds occurred once I had moved to my new room. I needed to get the washing done before I left so I waited for the other people to get out of the shower as the room shared one bathroom between 6 people. I came across a book I knew one of the others from the night before had left. It had been about Nelson Mandela and magically appeared within my main bag. I would have kept it, but space in my bag was a luxury that I really needed and the book was thick. I left it in the room for someone to take it and read as I was not requiring it at that time, also not in the best condition either. Space in the whole room was cramped so I had to make sure I was packed and ready to leave especially when I was stuck on the top bunk. When I did checkout and eating breakfast, I discovered a tag that had two names ‘Room 501, Luke (or Bradley)’. My name isn’t Luke and they had moved my bag so that could have become a huge, huge problem. Its well and good to joke about it, but this could have been incredibly serious if something had gone wrong. I think I lost a pair of socks along the way or even underwear as that part of the bag was open.

Things to keep in mind

They could have called or even emailed me to let me know about the changes. I should have been told about the last change.

I don’t know the legalities or my responsibilities, but they could have left a message stuck to the door for me to contact reception ASAP or not even touch my bags as they were under the bed.

This is actually a massive security breach and could have had a vastly different outcome.

Next time I will have bag tags with my name on them.

Travel is full of experiences and it wont stop me in any way at all, but I do research where I want to stay next. Usually I head for the nearest YHA. I could be full of resentment and anger, but you have to move on. Learning experiences are bound to happen and this time my trip was full of them

South to North Tour: Day 23 Auckland to Gold Coast, Homeward bound

By the numbers

1 plane

20 kg bag

3.09kms

4,486 steps

I decided that since today was meant to be wet according to the weather website I would sleep in. Seemed like several other of the roomies in the hostel room were on the move as well. I thought it would be best to stay in bed a bit longer and then head over to the airport by bus after checking out. At least this time there was no fire down the street that would restrict movements. Luckily I did not even hand over cash as I used the transport card for Auckland known as the AT Hop card that I had been using all week.

Once at the airport I had a bit of time and I checked the weight of the bags to see how far over I actually was. Turns out not at all unless I was flying with Jetstar, who I was not flying with. I could put more stuff from my back pack into the main bag. The boxes of chocolates did take up a bit of room. While waiting for checkin to open, I observed the Air New Zealand style as its like their domestic terminal where you put the bag and tags on yourself to be sent off. I had a cup off coffee and did see on the ground floor that the Relay shop had post packs for New Zealand. I would later go back to have a look to find that if I had actually been overweight, I could have used international post. It was a great idea for next time to keep in mind. Not sure if the same applies for other airports. Once I was able to check in, I was for the time being the second person in line although I think I was the first for my particular flight. I was asked to remove my hat and sunnies so they could see me better. The guy beside me was happy to pay $300+ for extra boxes he had with him. No idea what was in them though. I was asked if I had a power pack, which must have people thinking I am the sort that has one. I thought it was a double adapter, but soon realised two different things.

After doing the rounds upstairs where I had walked back down, I found the line for the flights was actually pretty long, but I was happy to be sorted early. On the way to the other side of the terminal for my wander, I passed a guy dragging his kayak behind him. It was plastic, but that didn’t make me wonder. I was wondering if he was going to catch a bus and how he was going to transport it. I didn’t have a gate number at the time so had to wait for that. The Auckland Airport was being renovated / upgraded so there were quite a few changes going on. I think the departure lounge area was going to be updated to look even better. I did end up with a long walk to gate 17 that I could say as one where I could have drunk all my duty free alcohol. It was a very long walk, but with the waiting, I had finished my current book I was reading and since it added to the extra weight in the bag I left it behind. I was happy to fly with Virgin, although it did not seem to be a full flight back to the Gold Coast. There were plenty of seats vacant when I used the loo. The funny part was the lady beside me started knitting and I never knew you could bring those on board. I wasn’t complaining, I was just happy to read my book.

The flight had no dramas of any sort and I was happy to be back in the country after a three week holiday. It was time to head back into work and earn some money. Besides, Christmas is on its way and getting closer by the day. I found even though the flight was early, I got through immigration and customs within 10 mins or so at least. They knew I had chocolates, but never even looked at what I had. I still had to be picked up, but that ends the trip away and I should plan for a local trip away sometime next year. Bags with wheels are something that I do not get. I watched one guy get out of a car and leave his bag on the footpath and it rolled off and ended up on the road. Another guy looked awkward hunched over trying to pull a bag that should have a long handle, but didn’t. I had a coffee while I waited as I wanted to unpack and wash my gear as well as put it all away.

South to North Tour: Day 22 An Auckland packed day

By the numbers

17.44kms

25,319 steps

I became worried first thing this morning when I realised my charger was no longer working and I became worried my charger was now cactus especially once I woke up and tried it on the power in my locker. It was dead there too. I had thought about going out to Howick and Mission Bay on my last day, but then thought that I should at least do some packing after I post some more books off. While I tried to charge my phone upstairs, which actually worked. I didn’t want my phone at 80% as I knew the charge would go down quickly. I heard several sirens. Then I heard quite a few more and wondered what was going on. I was going out for breakfast and to get a new charger so planned to spend an easy morning that included packing as I didn’t want to disturb the others in the room.

When I walked into the reception area of the hostel I seen the flashing lights of a police van who was directing people away from Queen street. Going down Queen, I found there were firies, ambos and police all around blocking traffic off. Right across the street from the other YHA there was a fire and they were sorting it out towards the end as I had not been there from the start. It was apparently someones cooking. I had breakfast and headed to JBHIFI to get a new cable, which I soon found with help. I got myself a new belt as my old one is getting worn out and posted two books while I was in town. I headed back to the hostel and the fire brigade by this time had finished up and had two vehicles with lights, but traffic was running again on the street. I was hoping this wouldn’t happen when I was due to head home as I would have to walk a bit far with what I think to be a heavy bag.

I sorted out my bag and wander up the road to see if there was a book shop that had my interest and found that it no longer existed as there was a new building being built. I had to make sure as you never know what source I could miss out on. I found something even better than a bookshop and that was Hell Pizza. I plan to head there later for dinner. I walked back to K’ Road where I caught the bus down to Britomart. That was then when I got confused as to where I had to catch the bus let alone the bus number to Mission Bay. I found the right street and I couldn’t figure out where to go until I looked at the time table, which said its middle stop was Mission Bay and then I realised I shouldn’t be too worried. I jumped onto the first bus that takes me out that way. I knew where I wanted to go as I wanted to walk up to Bastion Point, which had the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial and being New Zealand’s first Labour government. Bastion Point has an interesting history as it was a Russian Scare fort and that was destroyed to make way for Tamaki drive, although there were fortifications for WWII and then a point in time with Maori land issue where there were arrests and all that there.

After doing my thing at the memorial and being buzzed by an annoying drone that I was thinking of throwing my camera at as it was going buzzzzzzzz. I was just thinking it was a lazy way of going through travel as then you don’t get to walk around a location and experience the beautiful views. Today was stunning and it was also really warm. I had water on me so all was good there. I headed down to Mission Bay, which had something to do with the Anglican Missions who would train Melanesian kids who would return to the islands after their training. I wasn’t going to walk far, but being a nice day I decided I would walk as far as St Heliers Bay and return. I didn’t realise that it would be a decent walk and I was wandering along a nice footpath, while people were sunbaking at the beach. I had music to listen to and kept on walking. I turned around once I ended up at the Glen and the historic fig trees that were growing out of the footpath. I could have caught a bus back to Mission Bay, but I just walked back instead. Part of the reason for visiting was I was looking for a retirement home for the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart located on Selwyn Avenue. I remembered the address, but not how far up it was. I wandered up the hill and came across the address alright and I wasn’t expecting it to be an actual retirement village. I wandered in and the location commanded some really stunning views of the area. I didn’t want to walk around the whole place as it would give me the risk of getting caught and into trouble.

I walked back down the hill and planned to catch the bus back as I was actually hot and bothered. I think I had enough sun for the day. I headed towards the bus, but got distracted by a little memorial dedicated to several Melanesian people who died at the mission. I never knew there was anything like that and I was happy, so headed to the bus stop. Several went by, but they were either not in service or were School buses. I had four others waiting when I seen a bus approach, but I never flagged it down to see if anyone else noticed. They noticed as it went past and I just smiled. Another bus did come and it took us into the Britomart area where I went to buy something for my sister who asked nicely. Now I was worried by how heavy my bag will be this time around, although we have to see don’t we. I didn’t end up with pizza, but I made sure I had something to eat before heading back satisfied with my last day in Auckland. I was lucky to have dropped my jumper off as I really did not need it.