Caravan Park Etiquette

Fresh on the road, with a new found freedom that neither Luke or I had encountered since University summer holidays, nothing could dull the excitement welling inside us both, as we drive off down the south coast freeway, (Goodbye Sydney!) towards our first destination. But where should we stay on night one? Ah, who cares? We've got plenty of time, no annoying appointments to keep, let's just see where we end up.

A trip down that new bit of ocean front highway just south of Wolloongong (you know, the fancy million dollar road that every car company seems to exploit in their latest advertising campaign), a couple of lookouts and a trip to the local pizzeria to celebrate Luke's 27th birthday, hip-hooray, and we finally rock into the Kiama Tourist Park at approximately 8:36pm.

What's that? Reception is closed for the night? Not to worry, we'll just find ourselves a cosy little powered site and pay in the morning. So we drive on in, choose a spot and start setting up for our first night in the kombi, when from beneith the shadows of the toilet block, a man storms towards us shouting, "Can I help you? What do you think you're doing?" And he really should have added "you lazy, cheap-skate hippies in your kombi - who I know full well are planning on doing a runner tomorrow morning..." which, of course, we weren't (okay, the thought had crossed our minds for about two seconds). This guy was the owner and not too happy about us rocking into the park after hours. He was cranky. The words furious and outraged could also be used to describe his state of mind.

A couple of apologies (from us, not him), $26 and a toilet key later and we were good to stay but not before ol' mate made us feel like we had committed one of the cardinal sins of caravan parks - never make yourself at home before you get the okay from the owner and always arrive before dark. Future campers, let this be a lesson.

Yours in the great outdoors,
Odette