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Report 2025: Airplanes, Roses, Poppies, Caves, Bridges and Paradise

By Anastasia from Canada, Summer 2012

Page 22 of 24: Our Apartment in Bandol

Our apartment in Bandol with lots of animation

The apartment had three beds and one additional bed was a rolling drawer type bed. So, if one can’t sit that low, it can’t be used for an adult. The apartment structure itself is very solid and the walls thick and double windows provide excellent isolation. We had a lot of space: a big living-dining room, big kitchen, two bedrooms and good size bathroom. The double bed was a queen bed from IKEA or similar structure, but I wouldn’t risk two big adults on it. The planks were bended. For us, we had enough beds. Many things are so fragile in Europe. We had to be careful using the washer door, and dryer wasn’t working (no kidding, a dryer in such sunny place?); the dish washer missed one wheel and was dropping the basket at the last moment. The rolling glass tables while nice and easy to clean have to be handled carefully. I pushed them in a corner not to damage them. The small wardrobe in the kid’s room had a precarious door. Balcony chairs were loosing some plastic pieces (but were metallic), but I couldn’t identify the purpose of them other than packing when they were new.

The owner added pads on all chairs before we arrived because the ceramic floor was scratched. We appreciated the cleaning service for €40, so we didn’t have to wake up early and clean on departure. Also the owner and her husband were nice. She even went with us to return our car, since it was outside Bandol and brought us back.

I am always so careful of everything, but in Europe and at my parents’ apartment it was the same story. So we ended up buying much simpler but very solid things. I think when renting an apartment, the simplest and solid wood furniture is the best. But it is experience. From this rental I learned for our house to not have white ceramics on the floors. They always seem dirty with the smallest thing being noticeable. The second thing, for renovations never have our kitchen counter covered with tiles. It is so much work to make it look clean. And even if the tiles are the grout cracks makes it to look not fresh especially with rustic tiles and big spaces in between. Unless someone spends their days cleaning and adding grout.

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