Again Internet troubles, even at 7 am! The guy at the reception doesn't know anything he didn't understand that the WiFi of the hotel is not strong enough. I gave up !
After having spent the whole day on our beach beds, only interrupting our "work" with swimming and lunch, we left the beach at 4 pm, and I went to the massage salon, where Doudou, my masseuse was already waiting for me. It was very nice, but I felt awfully tired after the massage ! Nevertheless after a shower we decided to go for a walk to the Hourghada city do do some shopping.
First of course I had to haggle the price for the taxi. The driver proposed 2 $ per person, and we should pay 4 $ ! I told him that in this case I would take his taxi and pay 2 $ for one person and Nicole would take another one also for one person. He made a very surprised face and then agreed to take the two of us for 2 $ ! Of course I had informed myself at the hotel reception about a normal taxi price so that I had an idea for how much I could haggle the price. He drove us in the city center, chatting cheerfully and obviously happy with what had payed.
Difficul to walk on these streets !
Then we walked or rather stumbled on the cobbled sidewalk and were stopped by shop owners or street sellers who wanted to sell us everything from spices to suitcases.
Shop owner dusting sun glasses
It was quite tiring because they always asked us the same question "Where are you coming from" and "what's your name ?" Nicole invented all kind of names from Mary to Jacky and I invented countries which didn't exist. Egyptians have a lot of humor and we also had a lot of fun !
under a fake palm tree
Finally we found the shop we were looking for i.e, one with fixed prices, meanwhile I was fed up with haggling ! There was not much to buy, as I had been here so often and it's always the same souvenir stuff. We bought some little gifts for friends and then Nicole's back hurt and my left food suddenly was swollen and hurt too !
Hurghada by night ...Taxi taxi taxi and lots of English tourists too
So we looked for a taxi to take us back to the hotel. Same haggling, I got the same price. The taxi driver didn't know very well the town apparently he was new, so he drove in the wrong direction and I told him that he was wrong. So he made a U turn and drove around and around, Nicole got scared she thought he would bring us in dangerous areas. Finally after a sightseeing tour I saw our hotel and asked him to stop and let us out. I didn't pay a penny more for this unwanted tour and he presented his excuses for the turning around. We left him and he shouted "I love you" behind us, we didn't love him, he was too ugly.
The next day my foot wasn't better, even worse and hurt so much that I hardly could walk. I really didn't know what I had done except doing some aqua gym exercises in the water. Apparently I must have hurt my foot in the sand. Nicole fortunately had anti-inflammatory pills with her and it got better.
We still hadn't settled the lost beach towel card and I went again to the reception. He wanted me to pay 10 $ for the card, I told him that the card must be in gold and that Nicole wouldn't pay such an amount for a simple card. As he insisted that these were the rules I asked for the manager. The manager was on holidays. I told the guy that the manager is already the whole year long on holidays but if he isn't there he certainly must have a replacement and that I would come back in the evening.
I was just installed on my beach bed with my towel and Nicole on the other one with her private towel when a man in a black suit and tie showed up together with a french speaking assistant, as he didn't speak any French. I told him that it is a shame that I am treated this way that I was already 6 times and that I had expected another treatment. I also mentioned that I am writing for Trip Advisor and Booking com, and that I have a travel blog. His attitude changed immediately, suddenly we got another card for free, a second towel, and he asked if I was satisfied with the room, the service etc. He presented his excuses for all the inconveniences we had had and told me not to hesitate if I needed something or if there was something wrong. I had no other complaints and he then left us not without asking us if he could offer us a drink !
The day went by which we really enjoyed again.The only trouble is we are always looking for something !
This time is was her mobile ! No wonder she couldn't find it, as I had taken hers, it's the same as mine, and so I had two in my purse !
At least here in our Internet café we have no problems !
When we came back from the Internet café we found another nice decoration on the bed !
