#34: Beach day with spontaneous plan change

18.02.2020

On the first day in the new accommodation, we want to have breakfast at the beach and then spend a day at the beach. After going to bed the previous day with a somewhat uneasy feeling in the new hostel, we wake up today with a somewhat uneasy feeling again. The room, as well as the rest of the hostel, seems a bit run-down and not particularly clean. In addition, we have some mosquito bites to complain about. Before we leave, we decide to address the landlord about the clump of hair in the sink and the ant trails in the bathroom. However, the ants in the bathroom have already noticeably diminished due to our first aid measures. The landlord seems somewhat surprised, but promises to take a look.

We quickly find a place for breakfast and then go to the beach. The beach is very beautiful, with fine golden sand and clear, relatively warm water. You can also see some islands from the beach. Unfortunately, the beach is quite close to a busy road and the promenade, where the locals like to listen to music loudly. We lay down on our towels and relax while enjoying the adventures of the Triwizard Tournament. However, we are increasingly doubting whether we really want to spend five nights here. We have now realized that the hostel is not particularly clean, there are quite a lot of ants around us, the shower floods the bathroom, the water in the sink doesn't drain properly due to the hair, someone could see us from outside while using the toilet and showering, the towels and bed smell a bit musty, and we are disappointed with the place in general. Just little things.

These thoughts occupy us for the rest of the day. When we are back at the hostel, the landlord has solved the ant problem, but has not really improved the drain. We are satisfied for now and visit the crab market. It is busy here, as all sorts of seafood are being sold. However, we still decide to stick with noodles and chicken for lunch/dinner.

While eating and on our way home, we decide that we want to shorten our stay in Kep. And quite last-minute, because we will continue tomorrow. Our landlord is not pleased with this idea, as it means we will only stay for two out of the five nights we booked. In order to not have to pay for all five nights, we offer to pay a cancellation fee of $20. Somewhat reluctantly, he agrees and also books us transportation to Phu Quoc, our next destination, this time in Vietnam.

Happy that we will be leaving the very uncomfortable accommodation tomorrow, we hang up the mosquito net over the bed and end the day. We will be picked up in the morning.