Pronounciation mistake = €3.870

[AzNMpower32]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/2008081...t-7f81b96.html

OSLO (AFP) - A Spanish couple's language difficulties cost them several thousand euros after they mispronounced their destination giving instructions to a Norwegian taxi driver.

The couple, who were touring Norway's fjords, wanted to travel to Olden on the country's west coast.

Instead their taxi took them to Halden, hundreds of kilometres (miles) away, a trip that cost them 3,870 euros (5,773 dollars).

The pair in their 50s were on a cruise of the fjords when they had to be briefly hospitalised while on a stopover in Stavanger, tabloid Verdens Gang (VG) reported on Thursday.


Once out of hospital the two decided to rejoin the ship in Olden. But their taxi driver misunderstood and took them to Halden, 560 kilometres (348 miles) east of Stavanger.


Oblivious to the mistake, the happy holidaymakers paid the 15,000 kroner taxi bill (1,875 euros, 2,793 dollars) and added a generous 1,000 kroner tip to boot.


But after spending the night in a hotel, they discovered there was no cruiseship in the Halden port.


A quick call to an interpreter and the confusion was discovered, according to VG.


The couple jumped back in a taxi, this time headed for Olden, 610 kilometres away -- and paying another 15,300 kroner.


The couple spent more than 31,000 kroner on their misadventure, or the price of a 10-day cruise in the fjords for two people in a luxury suite.

Pricey mistake, huh?