Normally I wouldn't put a post like this up. I like to focus on the positives with most things. However if I had known then what I know now I would never have set foot into Wangarrata at the Beach (in Bowen). I should also mention (in case you don't realise) I'm travelling alone with my 4 year old daughter. I put a lot of trust into the caravan parks to provide the facilities that we need to have a great holiday, and for these facilities to be safe.
The caravan park seemed okay when we turned up, being told that we got the last site. I was struggling to put the tent up, battling the wind, the lovely people on the site next door came over and game me a hand to set up. I started unpacking the car and pulled the fridge out (its an effort every time I need to pull it out but necessary). After putting it in the tent I went to plug the power cord into the pole.
The power pole was covered in green ants. Not wanting to be bitten (regardless of the type of ants) I used the brush from our dustpan and brush to hold open the flap to see the socket. I did have one ant go down my top, but was quick enough to get it out before it bit me. I was met with a melted socket with burnt marks. Second guessing myself I sent a photo to my mum and step dad (a retired electrician) asking if it looked safe to them. Straight away I got a call back saying it definitely wasn't safe and not to plug into it. I was a little relieved at the reassurance that it wasn't safe and approached the reception.
After showing him the photo he wandered away to the garage next door. I had no idea that he had taken a power tool out, left the shed and gone over to our site. He came back to get bug spray and I followed him back over to our site. He sprayed the power pole and had plugged his power tool into the pole and turned it on to "show me" that it was perfectly safe. If there was anything wrong with it, the safety switch would cut out.
He stated that the green ants were more of a concern than the burnt out socket. I refused point blank to plug into the power pole and packed my belonging and said I was leaving. He was very quick to say they don't give refunds (which I think is disgusting given that they couldn't provide a safe electrical socket as I had paid for). I packed like a mad woman, I've never packed up so quickly in my life. I shoved everything in the car and drove to the new caravan park.
I was so upset when we were driving away little miss told me that she was willing to share her toys to help me calm down and feel better.
Once we were set up, I unpacked the entire contents of the car and took it to the local car wash to vacuum it out. Our bedroom is our car, and I would never forgive myself if I accidently missed a green ant and it bit little miss over night. I went through every single item before putting it back in the car and am pretty confident we didn't pick any up.
Update:
I was really upset and shaken by the situation and reported the caravan park to Worksafe Queensland. They sent someone out the next day and within half an hour from a visit from them it was repaired. I guess it wasn't as safe as he was saying it was
Update 2:
I also contacted Fair Trading and lodged a compliant with them about this caravan park. I feel it was unfair of them not to refund my money when they couldn't provide what I paid for. Within about a week I was given a full refund which came at such a relief.
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