A generous offer

@JudyEv (326341)

Rockingham, Australia

July 28, 2017 12:51am CST

I misread the prices at the entrance to tonight’s park or we would have driven on to try to find something a bit cheaper. But as it was we went in and had a great chat with the owner but our mouths dropped when he told us the price. I’d calculated the low season price but of course it was high-season. He could only take cash so we couldn’t use the credit card. It wasn’t really a problem, just that it took us a bit by surprise. I’m sure the high-season prices are justified. But while we were dithering a bit, he said he’d charge us less and he took off about 30% which was really generous. We had some little toy koalas in the van so we were able to give his two little boys a koala each and we’ll write him a very positive review in TripAdvisor. It’s the least we can do. We have found French people in general very kind and certainly eager to promote tourism. The photo is of Pont du Gard which I’ll write about soon.

18 people like this

18 responses

@topffer (42156)

• France

28 Jul 17

A part of this country lives on tourism... As long as you will be not far from the Mediterranean Sea, you can hagle on the price, people are used to that. Better to not do it elsewhere though.

4 people like this

@LadyDuck (459588)

• Switzerland

28 Jul 17

She risks to find less friendly people if she goes down in the Nice area and the prices will be even higher there.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jul 17

We didn't haggle the price (and I know you're not saying that) but we were just a bit stunned. We would never haggle. If the price is at the entrance we might check it out but we don't argue about the price.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jul 17

@LadyDuck We would never ask or expect a lower price. It was offered freely by this man - and we're now headed away from the coast again.

3 people like this

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@Nawsheen (28643)

• Mauritius

28 Jul 17

The owner was sure very kind. Glad that he gave you a discount of 30%. I am sure that the little boys were happy to get the koalas as gifts

2 people like this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jul 17

I thought it was very kind of him. As he said, he has a small park and ploughs all his profits back into it to make it better. We were a bit surprised because we thought we knew what it would cost but we'd hadn't read the price list properly.

1 person likes this

@rebelann (111310)

• El Paso, Texas

28 Jul 17

Awesome shot of a really ancient structure. It's amazing what the Romans built and then to think it was part of their water system is even more amazing, I don't think our modern world has been able to duplicate this kind of technology. I sure wish someone would build an aquaduct to transport water here from regions that are flooded. So much for modern, eh?

1 person likes this

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@rebelann (111310)

• El Paso, Texas

28 Jul 17

Those Romans were amazing @JudyEv it also makes me wonder if there were even more amazing ancient cultures that predates them.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jul 17

The aquaduct fell about a metre every four kilometres and brought much-needed water for the Uzes region to Nimes. This is a minute amount really but it worked wonderfully well.

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@sueznewz2 (10409)

• Alicante, Spain

3 Aug 17

I'm glad you did a deal... i'm afraid I don't think the high tariffs are justified...all the sevices and amenities are the same.... but...never mind...lots of places and businesses do it... theyneed tomake a living....

1 person likes this

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@sueznewz2 (10409)

• Alicante, Spain

3 Aug 17

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Aug 17

He took pains to explain that he ploughs his profits back into his park and we were happy to pay the price but suddenly he offered us this huge discount!

1 person likes this

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@moffittjc (118629)

• Gainesville, Florida

29 Jul 17

Is that viaduct still functioning, or is it strictly a tourist attraction now? It would be really nice if it still carried water, even thousands of years after it was built! That was really nice of them to give you a discount! I have always been under the mindset of 'I'd rather get something from somebody than nothing at all.'

1 person likes this

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@moffittjc (118629)

• Gainesville, Florida

5 Aug 17

@JudyEv Well, even though it is not being used anymore, and many of the original remains gone, let's hope that whoever manages the place now is taking steps to preserve and care for the parts that do still remain.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

5 Aug 17

@moffittjc I think they are well aware of the importance of saving these places now. It would seem tourism is high on the agenda here.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Aug 17

It stopped being used in about the 6th century I think. There were a number of crossings over low points etc but not much remains of most of them. I agree about the discount - better two=thirds the cost than no fee at all and perhaps an unhappy customer.

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@dollaboy (6048)

•

28 Jul 17

For Sure, French people are good and Generous and very kind to visitors. Picture is so good, Judy

2 people like this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jul 17

Glad you like the photo. The Pont du Gard was a very special place.

1 person likes this

@KrauseHome (36448)

• United States

29 Jul 17

That is nice he was able to take 30% off. Nice gesture

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Aug 17

I thought it was a very kind gesture.

@Inlemay (17714)

• South Africa

30 Jul 17

Absolutely stunning photo - I marvel at how they got to build these thing without modern equipment. Just amazing

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Aug 17

The museum showed them using blocks and tackle with thick ropes instead of chains. An they had all the manpower they needed.

1 person likes this

@Marilynda1225 (80018)

• United States

28 Jul 17

That was really nice that you got a discount on the park and I'm sure the children were happy with the little Koalas. Beautiful picture!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jul 17

We were really surprised. We certainly didn't expect a discount.

@cacay1 (83220)

• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines

29 Jul 17

That was so thrilling experience .Maybe next time you can purchase through your credit card.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Aug 17

We have used the card quite often but we're not able to every time.

@JESSY3236 (19008)

• United States

28 Jul 17

pretty picture. I would think this would be high season with it being July.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jul 17

It is high season but I read the notice wrongly.

@andriaperry (116860)

• Anniston, Alabama

29 Jul 17

That is awesome.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Aug 17

We were pretty impressed. It was a good day.

@teamfreak16 (43419)

• Denver, Colorado

28 Jul 17

That was nice of him. Over here in the land of greed, I don't think that would happen.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jul 17

We didn't ask for a discount. We would have just looked a bit hesitant I guess because suddenly he was offering such this massive discount. We spoke to another lady there who goes there regularly so that is nice that the place has a good name. It should do well but we'll do what we can to help.

1 person likes this

@gilggg (2538)

• Israel

28 Jul 17

It's great you got a good deal for the park , It looks like botht sides earn from it.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jul 17

I hope our recommendation will bring him some extra business.

1 person likes this

@gilggg (2538)

• Israel

28 Jul 17

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (459588)

• Switzerland

28 Jul 17

I agree that French people are very kind. The Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct, there are many in Europe, the ancient Romans were very active and great architect... a lot better than in our days.

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jul 17

We spent a long time there. It was the only thing we visited that day. The museum was excellent too.

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (459588)

• Switzerland

28 Jul 17

@JudyEv I loved the Museum of Pont du Gard, it explain how the aqueduct was built, it's very well done.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jul 17

@LadyDuck I was very impressed with the museum.

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@xFiacre (12636)

• Ireland

28 Jul 17

@judyev I that the pont that a poet's wife fell off on their honeymoon or did I just imagine that?

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jul 17

Are you talking Pont d'Avignon or do you know a limerick that I don't?

We have a book of them (limericks) but it's back in Australia so I can't check on it.

@franxav (13624)

• India

28 Jul 17

I wonder how one haggles in English with a Frenchman.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jul 17

We didn't haggle - he just offered it when we looked a bit stunned! And his English was quite good.

@acelawrites (19273)

• Philippines

28 Jul 17

Looks like TripAdvisor helped you so much in your travels.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (326341)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jul 17

We've looked it up a few times and it can be quite useful.