March 28
We wake up and enjoy some lovely Nescafe at the hotel lobby
and check email, etc. before making our departure for Ao Nang, a nearby beach.
We have been instructed to take the pick-up taxi (white only) to our
destination and given the exact amount that we should be charged. Sure enough, we soon get a taxi from across
the street and as we wave good-bye to Sarah and Lee are on our way. It takes about 30 minutes before we arrive in
Ao Nang and while underway meet a couple of ex-pats from England in the taxi. They give us a few pointers about town and
soon we are on the sidewalk in search of a hotel that we have a tentative
reservation for. We have learned to
check them out before paying these days as you never know what you are going to
get. Also, sometimes when you walk-in
you can get a better rate than is posted online……getting pretty travel
savvy! I walk in and try on my best
negotiation hat only to be given a price that is nearly twice what the online
quote is. I quickly boot up my computer
to show the not-so-lovely receptionist the price quote. She is not too happy about it, but agrees to
show me two rooms anyway. We are not
quite ready to commit, so Annie and I walk around town a bit to search out a
better deal if possible while Paulie and the boys have lunch. Looks like we have found the best deal
already, so we return to the hotel to check in.
We make our way up the four flights of stairs, lugging all of our bags
along with us and find the two rooms that are earmarked for us. Only problem:
four beds, five people…..they charge and arm and a leg for a rollaway (I
guess to make up for the amazing price deal we got online) and Sam agrees to
sleep on the sofa/divan….what a guy! We
soon venture out to check out the town and find the very lovely beach
nearby. Soon enough, hunger comes
calling and we all head off in search of cheap food. We find a very mom and pop noodle shop and
pull up a stool for dinner. Lovely
meal! Afterward, we stroll around town
among the street vendors and then return to our two rooms to settle in for the
night.
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