Adventures, Misadventures, and Lessons from the Beach Hotel Office

Remember my post from a couple of days ago? I believe it was two days ago when I shared my adventure titled “Unplugged in Paradise: A Day at the Beach Hotel Office”. In that post, I found myself in a stunning location, attempting to work, but alas, I couldn't connect to the Wi-Fi. I had to rely on my phone data to stay connected. Well, guess where I am today? Yes, I'm back at the same place because I couldn't resist the breathtaking view and the refreshing ocean breeze. Especially compared to the scorching heat at my rented home lately. So, I decided to return today and soak up this fantastic view while writing a series of blog posts - call it a blogging marathon if you will.

Getting here was a breeze; I hopped on a TukTuk and only paid 150 Kes this time, a significant improvement from the 300 Kes I shelled out previously. It's safe to say that today's price felt more reasonable. I'm hoping for a productive day in this exquisite location.

Lately, I've been eagerly awaiting a package I ordered from Germany: a brand-new razor. My old one was made of plastic, and this year, I made a personal commitment to reduce my carbon footprint and eliminate plastic from my life in favor of more sustainable choices. Conveniently, my old razor fell apart, though not in an ideal location. Dealing with customs has been a bit of a hassle, even though Amazon covered all the import fees and charged my card. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will arrive this weekend or early next week. Now, you might be wondering, why did I order a razor from Europe? Well, the issue is that you can find expensive blades and the old-style cheap ones here, but you can't find a quality razor. Every time you try to buy one, they have to order it from Europe, and you have to pay upfront. You never really know what you'll get, except that it will be pricey and likely low quality. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and ordered it from Amazon, which offers worldwide express shipping for a reasonable 23 euros.

For now, I'll wrap up this post and get back to writing and taking photos of this beautiful place.

Fast forward to late evening, and I'm back at my accommodation. This afternoon was fairly low-key; I tied up some loose ends, packed my laptop into my bag, and headed to the pool area. I lounged around for a bit, snapped some photos, and took a leisurely stroll. Then, I decided it was time for a refreshing dip in the pool. I'd called ahead earlier to check if it was okay for me to spend the day working here, and they assured me that their Wi-Fi was top-notch and that I could use the pool as well. Excited, I waded into the pool and explored the area. There was even a bar by the poolside, allowing guests to enjoy a drink while cooling off. However, to reach the bar, you had to be a swimmer, as the water was about 2 meters deep on the way there. At the bar, it was just deep enough to stand comfortably.

But my plans took an unexpected turn when a man approached me before I could reach the bar. He informed me that there was a fee for using the pool, though he didn't specify the amount. After a few minutes, he returned with a bill, demanding 1000 Kes, roughly 7 euros. I was taken aback and insisted on a comprehensive bill for everything I'd consumed. He took my money, left for a while, and when he finally returned, he presented a bill, but it didn't include the pool charge. He had essentially rewrote and split the bill into two, separating the drinks from the pool fee. I was upset by this and sought someone to resolve the issue. I asked for a separate receipt for the pool fee, and after some apologies, he finally handed it over.

Feeling frustrated, I decided to take a stroll along the pristine white beach back to my place. It was a beautiful walk, even though I had to navigate some sharp rocks due to the rising tide. I couldn't help but wonder why these rocks were always so sharp; it's a mystery I can't explain. Despite the business mishap at the pool, the walk was absolutely enchanting. However, if you were to ask me whether I'd turn this place into my office again, the answer is no. It's a stunning spot, no doubt, but the way they conduct business isn't to my liking. Sadly, it's a common practice in Kenya. Nevertheless, let's keep moving and explore more beautiful places. There are plenty out there waiting to be discovered.