So we get home, back to the bungalow. Steph is still crying and I am muttering about my tan- both in shock in hindsight. Luckily, apart from a few bruises and scrapes, I'm OK.
According to Markus (MAN from part 2), mechanics won't repair rental bikes. They have a mutual agreement with rental companies to artificially inflate rental bike repair prices. And they charge lots. No wonder the bike was cheap to rent. Fuckers!
So the next day, I set off, visiting each and every mechanic on the island. I park the bike around the corner or down the road, and take in the broken part. If they can't see the bike, they can't see the rental stickers.
After riding around all morning, asking in bad and broken Thai for a motorcycle part, I am beginning to get desperate. Most say: 'No have' or smile, shake their head and point down the road. They must know, travellers must do this all the time, prang their bike and try to get out of paying crazy repair bills. But I resolve to try just one more.....
A lady is out the front with her 2 small sons. I show her the part, and she phones her partner, the mechanic. He arrives and assesses the bike. Says he can get the part, but will have to order from the mainland. The part takes 4 days because of the weekend.
I arrive on Tuesday . The mechanic fits the part. I tip him and ride directly to the rental company. Pay the rental fee. Walk away feeling 10 foot tall and bulletproof. Believe me, I have never felt so happy to hold my passport.
And then the fat lady sings...... THE END :-)
According to Markus (MAN from part 2), mechanics won't repair rental bikes. They have a mutual agreement with rental companies to artificially inflate rental bike repair prices. And they charge lots. No wonder the bike was cheap to rent. Fuckers!
So the next day, I set off, visiting each and every mechanic on the island. I park the bike around the corner or down the road, and take in the broken part. If they can't see the bike, they can't see the rental stickers.
After riding around all morning, asking in bad and broken Thai for a motorcycle part, I am beginning to get desperate. Most say: 'No have' or smile, shake their head and point down the road. They must know, travellers must do this all the time, prang their bike and try to get out of paying crazy repair bills. But I resolve to try just one more.....
A lady is out the front with her 2 small sons. I show her the part, and she phones her partner, the mechanic. He arrives and assesses the bike. Says he can get the part, but will have to order from the mainland. The part takes 4 days because of the weekend.
I arrive on Tuesday . The mechanic fits the part. I tip him and ride directly to the rental company. Pay the rental fee. Walk away feeling 10 foot tall and bulletproof. Believe me, I have never felt so happy to hold my passport.
And then the fat lady sings...... THE END :-)
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