Wheelchair Ron is Rolling Again

[drron]

Tomorrow We are off to Melbourne. Flying VA from MCY. Although we leave atr 1225 we don't arrive until 4PM due to DST. Arranged to be picked up by Jimmys Taxis on the recommendation of @Cruiser Elite .We will be staying at the fairly new Crowne Plaza Carlton. Basically because it is close to Melbourne University where our first Granddaughter is studying now. Haven't seen her since last Christmas.

She is doing a 3 year science degree with quaranteed entrance to Medicine. She is definitely smarter than I.
We have meals penciled in for the first 3 days. Coming back home on Saturday. So another short trip to hopefully know what to expect with wheelchair travel.

After this will come an old style trip with 6 days in Singapore, a month in Bangkok, 5 days in Hong Kong and a 2 week cruise from there to Singapore va the Phillipnes and Borneo..

 

[SYD]

Passed by that CP yesterday heading out for lunch.

Fortunately you’re not here this weekend. MEL marathon, also coinciding with a massive Gamers thing at the convention centre. Lots of fit people and not so fit Goths/gamers/Cosplay out and about!

 

[OATEK]

Tomorrow We are off to Melbourne. Flying VA from MCY. Although we leave atr 1225 we don't arrive until 4PM due to DST. Arranged to be picked up by Jimmys Taxis on the recommendation of @Cruiser Elite .We will be staying at the fairly new Crowne Plaza Carlton. Basically because it is close to Melbourne University where our first Granddaughter is studying now. Haven't seen her since last Christmas.

She is doing a 3 year science degree with quaranteed entrance to Medicine. She is definitely smarter than I.
We have meals penciled in for the first 3 days. Coming back home on Saturday. So another short trip to hopefully know what to expect with wheelchair travel.

After this will come an old style trip with 6 days in Singapore, a month in Bangkok, 5 days in Hong Kong and a 2 week cruise from there to Singapore va the Phillipnes and Borneo..

Nothing if not ambitious, the overseas trip! I am sure it is "planned" to within and inch of its life, but will we see a re-emergence of the colourful shorts of expeditions past as you roll through Asia?!

 

[drron]

Nothing if not ambitious, the overseas trip! I am sure it is "planned" to within and inch of its life, but will we see a re-emergence of the colourful shorts of expeditions past as you roll through Asia?!

Very likely that you will.

 

[markis10]

Weather is not much chop in Melbourne’s east today, pack a brolly! And MCY again, interested to hear how the new facilities are going?

 

[drron]

Fortunately we are arriving at 4pm and the forecast is showers easing in the afternoon.
And @markis10 the departures has totally changed since our recent flight to SYD.
Will post pictures when some reliable wifi available.

 

[drron]

Pictures of MCY work.




Less drop off. space. The parking dragons haven’t changed. One didn’t want to let us wait for a closer space. Had a go at the driver so he got my wheelchair out first. She walked off.





New ride share pickup.




You have to go outside to get to security.


The plans.

 

[Quickstatus]

I hope the airport has some way of getting the wheelchairs to come back to a central location....

 

[drron]

I hope the airport has some way of getting the wheelchairs to come back to a central location....

Under the photo of the plan for MnCY you can see all the wheelchairs. I don’t have to worry having an electric wheelchair. I ride it to the bottom of the cattle ramp and then I fold it up take the battery out and put it in free wheel mode for the baggage guy. I was just about to get in the VA wheelchair to be taken up to the plane door when he came. Good to see an experienced wheelchair driver. I said yes it is my third time. Ah a quick learner. Naturally.

 

[markis10]

I cannot see the lounge in that plan…….

 

[drron]

Yes only a departure lounge which everyone is allowed to use.

 

[drron]

Today it is VA 1041 to MEL. 5 wheelchairs today. I thought I was in the USA as the woman last in the queue wheeled herself to the front and boarded with her 9 family members. The only excuse was that I heard one say she was in row 27.
Wonderful service by the staff putting all my stuff away. Boarding was a little slow so we left 30 minutes late but only 20 minutes late into MEL.
Taking off with Mt. Coolum on my side. I was always going to climb I but never did. Not going to happen now.




Inland from Coolum and in the day was mainly cane fields supplying the Nambour mill.




And the beautiful Sunshine Coast.

 

[drron]

Then over Moreton bay to the east of BNE.






Then it was time for lunch. Despite being last to order in 2F I had my choice of butter chicken or a pasta bake. I went with the butter chicken. It was tasty but not much heat. A side of fresh chilli would have been great.


We then headed inland


More clouds ahead so I went to sleep until woken for final descent.

 

[drron]

When I awoke and looked out the window I have never seen it so green.















And just short of the airport a solar farm.

 

[drron]

Touchdown.






Again nothing of the wheelchair miracle for me. last off. However interesting watching as people got off. There were basically 2 types of passengers. The Victorians in long pants and jackets or jumpers and the Queenslanders in shorts and tee shirts. Once again great service from all the VA staff from Ashley the CSM and all the others. Wheelchair at the door and the baggage guy knew how to put the battery back in.
But talk about the long walk from arrivals to the pick up place the walk from the furthest VA gate to the exit was darn long way. however i then made a mistake by taking outside the Park royal literally and ended up in a worksite. realised we needed to be one road closer to the airport. I had said I was in a wheelchair and very soon a white SUV came quickly flashing his lights and it was one of Jimmys taxis.
A comfortable ride by the most direct route and no dearer than a normal cab. I would also recommend their service.

 

[drron]

Now I always now check out on google if the hotel or restaurant is Wheelchair accessible and friendly. Sadly the CP is a bit misleading. There re stairs at the entrance with an open lift to one side with no obvious user controls plus advertising for their restaurant blocking access. So Mrsdrron went inside to get someone to let me in. Turns out there is a hand held controller at the top so I am a virtual prisoner needing to be let in or out.
checkin was easy. I had told them before I would take breakfast as my Diamond amenity. They did offer an accessible room but basically they are the same design in all IHG hotels with a large wheel in shower and a double bed. They are both uncomfortable and dangerous for me.
Told upgraded. Got a king bed instead of a queen in an otherwise same sized room so just a bit more sqeezy'

The entry was difficult the first time because it needed a sharp turn as soon as you are in. But I have improved my driving skills since we were in Sydney so no real problems after the first time. Also finding I am much better turning around in lifts and driving straight out. So the door is right behind the tv.


Very little space from the window to the bathroom entry.


The small walk in shower.



And not much room between the table and the only hanging space. Even less with the armchair.


The armchair also blocked te only suitable place to park my wheelchair so we had it removed.
The view though is nice.