I decided to head to the Delhi International Airport well before the flight was leaving. The plan was to spent time in the Business Lounge and use the internet for ‘admin’ stuff.
This didn’t go quite as planned as I was not allowed to cross into the departure area until three hours before the flight was scheduled to leave. I ended up spending a few hours in a small lounge on the other side of the gates. The internet was ok, but there was limited food on offer. I ended up eating two cheese sandwiches.
Flight to Hong Kong
The flight to Hong Kong left at 1.00 a.m. and arrived in Hong Kong around 9.30 a.m. I then had a long layover before flying on to Bangkok.
I wasn’t feeling too good when I landed in Hong Kong. I knew that I had case of ‘Delhi Belly’. I am not sure how I contracted it, but the cheese sandwiches at the airport are a possibility.
Arriving in Bangkok
I was not at all well when I arrived in Bangkok. The train and Skytrain trip to my hostel was a bit problematic.
I thought that if I didn’t eat much and drank a lot of water, I would be able to beat the bug. This was not correct. On the fourth day my stomach felt that like there was a boiling kettle in it.
I walked the short distance from the hostel to the Bangkok Christian Hospital.
In Hospital
Almost immediately after completing the registration process, I almost collapsed. I was put in a wheel chair and taken to see a doctor. There were then a number of a procedures including blood and other tests.
I was then given a potion to drink and put on a drip.
After about 5 hours I was able to leave. I had been given some antibiotics and some other pills to take. I spoke to a cousin (one of three doctors on one side of the family) who confirmed that the medications were all good.
Train to Chiang Mai
After three days I seemed to have recovered and decided to take the overnight train to Chiang Mai in the north. I was lucky to get a sleeper cabin at sort notice.
I really like Thai trains, especially the sleepers. They are clean and very comfortable. The timing of the night train is perfect. It leaves Bangkok in the early evening. After a meal (which is very good) you go to sleep to the gentle rocking of the train and arrive in Chang Mai around 8.00 a.m.
Nice Place to Stay
I had booked into the Eco Lodge, a place that I had stayed in before. It is a little away from the ‘walled’ part of the city, but it is really good. I think it must have been a school and one time. I has nice gardens and a great pool. Private rooms are not very expensive.
Back to Hospital
The next morning it was obvious that all was not well with my stomach.
I was back to hospital, this time the McCormick which is close to the place I was staying. I was prescribed another, but longer course of antibiotics.
Not Able to MTB ride
One of the things I wanted to do in Chiang Mai was mountain bike (MTB) riding. There are some great descents in the hills close to the city.
I didn’t think that I was in a condition to do the rides. This gave me the ‘shits’ so to speak.
Even when I recovered I didn’t like my fitness was such that I would have been able to do a ‘technical’ ride safely.
I decided to do white water rafting instead.
A post on that is next.
Flickr
billrider2013 