We decided to rent the golf cart at the Versailles Gardens, since Miss kenju had been there before and knew what a trek it was. The attendant gives you a route plan, which is encased in something plastic that makes it look similar to a restaurant menu.

The cart runs on batteries and has a GPS system, which becomes clear as you pass the first notable site and the speaker in the roof of the cart booms out the particulars. Miss kenju drove and I provided the directions from the route plan. We marvelled at the spaciousness and variability of the gardens, and while there were few flowers blooming this time of year, we could imagine what a riot of color it would be in the spring and summer.

We were fine until the final third of the route, where we discovered a detour, due to some fountain remodeling or repair. We attempted to follow the "detour" sign for pedestrians, and were hauled up short by the cart, which stopped in the middle of the track.

"You are entering a restricted area! Do not attempt to proceed! Follow the planned route! "

All that was booming out over the loudspeaker, as people walking turned around to gawk at us and see what was making all the racket. We quickly found that the cart would not go forward at that point, so Miss kenju had to back up for about the length of 2-3 city blocks until we could retrace our route and go back the way we had come, fuming all the way!

We had to be back at the cart stand exactly one hour after setting off, and it was clear that due to the detour and retracing all our route, we would not make it in time. Sure enough, we were 10 minutes late. We hit the ground explaining to the attendant that he had failed to make us aware of the detour and therefore, we could not be held accountable for the 10 minute delay. He apparently didn't want to argue the point (even though he swore that he HAD told us about it) and waved us away dismissively.