Not going as it's supposed to

Thailand isn't going as well as I hoped.

Joe flew into Bangkok and we're good to go – islands and beaches and scuba diving here we go.

Got to Koh Tao and, due to the lack of swimmable beaches, we rented motorbikes to search for said beaches.  On the way up a dirt hill (and down again), I burnt my calf on the exhaust pipe as my bike skidded (I was using the rear brakes too much) downhill while I tried to pull back unsuccessfully and without any leverage because my sandals had no grip on the gravel thereby revving the motor more and .. well, somehow a quarter-sized piece of my calf looks like it's been chewed off. I was lucky Joe was there or else the bike would have rolled down the hill and I would be out of some serious cash.

Cut my finger on my razorblade – I was looking for a band-aid, ironically, in my toiletries bag and was either stupid, drunk or delerious to not see the new shaver I had just bought sticking out...

Went scuba diving -- got overeager and tore off some skin on my heels -- probably I was finning too hard.

And the kicker? Four dives in one day – shouldn't have dove so much and so deep when I had a slight cold, and now I'm left with an ear inflammation that has developed to an ear infection.  Not to spazz out, but when the inner ear starts to bleed and I temporarily can't hear any longer.. well, being on an isolated beach away from all civilization doesn't seem quite spectacular as it did...

So today I'll hop on a longtail boat from Haad Yuan to Hadd Rin, then from Haad Rin on Koh Phagnan I'll catch the latest ferry to the nearest large island of Koh Samui, where they hopefully have western medical facilities.

I got some antibiotics at a clinic in Koh Tao, but I suppose my paranoia about the loss of hearing obliges me to seek a doctor's advice.

I hope to blog a little bit more once all this stuff is sorted out. It sucks because Thailand was suppose to be the relaxer away from the previous hikes and backpacking.. ah well.

[Update] So finally! Some competency at the Thai International Hospital in Koh Samui. The doctor and her nurse pinned me down, drizzled some stuff down the canal, held my head there for ten minutes, and then in successive waves, hosed my ear with hot water. "Want to see it?" she asked me. Sure thing. Two clumps of gunk floated in the basin.

Meds: Antibiotic pills to replace the suspicious pills I got from the Koh Tao clinic. Anhtihistamine pills to clear the sinuses (although I shouldn't drive as they induce drowsiness), and painkillers. Also some droplets to clean out the inflamed ear. Still hard to hear on the left side, but hopefully, it's a temporary thing – at least the pain is gone.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Yuppie Nomad | August 14, 2006 at 08:18 AM

Ack! Hope you recover quickly!

Posted by: blowingbubbles | August 14, 2006 at 05:59 PM

yikes =T glad things are sort of getting better~

Posted by: kyle | August 14, 2006 at 07:12 PM

Man, that goes to show all those people who think travel is all glory. There IS pain involved people!!!!! Granted some of us end up in less pain that others, apparently, but it´s not all easy!!!!!!

Posted by: Vinny | August 15, 2006 at 05:58 PM

you're lucky you were in thailand. i think it's the only country in Asia with hospitals up to Western standards. and it's where europeans go for "medical tourism" (i.e. where they recover from their plastic surgery on beaches). if it makes you feel better - i haven't been able to hear out of my right ear in about 6 weeks.

Posted by: ink | August 17, 2006 at 04:41 AM

ink - i know! i got my teeth checked here. the facilities are pretty good. my ear is better – i still get the occasional blockage and look like an idiot in the middle of the street pounding on one side of my head hoping to dislodge the reluctant air pocket.

Posted by: j.fisher | August 26, 2006 at 01:10 AM