It was my 65th birthday. At check-in I handed over...

It was my 65th birthday. At check-in I handed over my credit card to pay for the room $209.00. To my shock, in addition to the $209.00 for the room, a second payment of $100.00 was taken as a "bond" for the room. What is this? In 45 years of hotel stays, I have never had to pay a bond for a room! I know I'm a young fella, and it was my birthday, but I was in Geraldton for a different reason. That said, the room was excellent, clean (apart from a urine puddle behind the toilet seat hinge) and
views were spectacular. Geraldton is a wonderful place, and I will continue to travel there to visit the resting place of my late brother, but I'll find another venue to stay were I'm made to feel like a trusted citizen.