Weeks Six and Seven

Weeks Six and Seven:

Week six saw the start of some 12 nights in the Krabi area. Our first port of call was just outside Ao Nang a nice quiet area to relax in. I was getting into a good routine by now up early and out for a power walk, which was progressing as I got used to the heat. I am now walking 1km jogging 1 km for 6 to 8 Km each morning with push up breaks in between. So I am feeling quite please with myself. When I arrive home Wendy would have a muesli and yogurt breakfast ready for us and it was a perfect start to our day.

Tuesday saw the end of that routine for some time I fear. Having returned as normal and had breakfast I felt unusually tired. As the day progressed I got a temperature, I was listless (even more than usual), my eyes ached my joints ached and my muscles ached. The dreaded Dengue fever had arrived. This little bugger comes from a mossie bite. It takes 10-14 days to incubate and then the symptoms emerge. So it probably came from a bite when we were in Hua Hin. There is nothing you can do for it save keep plenty of fluids on board and manage the discomfort. I managed the fluid intake and Wendy, empowered by her Boots career took care of the rest for me.
While we were coming to terms with my misfortune my sister Lavena messaged me that mum had suffered a fall and is back in hospital suffering from a broken shoulder. Poor thing, she is so often in the wars and in that hospital. We have spoken to her several times this week and she is clearly disappointed with another fracture but is in

reasonable spirits. Fingers crossed that she will be back home in a week or so, with a suitable care package for her.
This was the first small setback on our trip – of which there will be many more I am sure before we finally go home! It has taken 7 days to get back on my feet and even now I can only just get about there is no extra energy for exercise. It has also limited our adventures for the week. The good news is that on the Friday of the first week we moved into a super luxury hotel – the Armani Vogue, here we are pampered which helps no end in recuperating.
The first week we spent taking afternoon drives around the Krabi and Ao Nang areas so we got to see a little of what was around, whilst in the Air Con of the car.
We visited a Buddha carved into the mountain side, how hard it must be to do the work needed for these monuments in all this heat amazing.
Good Friday saw the car returned to Krabi airport, it was a good

charge for us, we drove around 2000KM and had no major incidents which is a blessing over here as the roads can be a bit lively.
The Amari has seen a return to luxury breakfasts, early evening cocktails and sunset dinners overlooking the islands in the Andaman.
There are lots more English speaking here, we have enjoyed the option of conversation around the pool and bars, even though we have not made any new friends as such, I think this is because the Amari is a honeymoon type of hotel many people here just as couples and clearly wanting quality time together and listening to me and Wendy prattling on and on!!
Wednesday with us both feeling back to some kind of normal we decided to take a trip. We rented a longboat and set off to Hong island. Setting off early ensured we arrived at this idyllic island for 08:30 and we were only the second boat there at that time. It’s a very scenic place with a small cove that gives the impression of a desert island beach – at least until the swarms of tourists turn up -, then we

were dropped there for 2 hours. Our guide then collected us and took us around the island to the blue hole. This is an enclosed lake of seawater entered via a narrow gap on the cliff walls, making it an enchanting place once inside. The waters are crystal clear and as warm as a bath. We swam there for a short while before getting back aboard and setting off to another remote island where a little more swimming took place, finally a 45 minute ride back to our hotel. We could have stayed longer but we are paranoid about being caught out in the sun in the midday heat se we set off early and were back at the hotel by 1:30 – I know we are wooses when it comes to the sun but you can’t be too careful.
Thursday is a chill out pool day before the trip to Australia on Friday. We are both excited about going to Aus visiting Karen and Kevin, for one we haven’t seen them for a year and secondly it will be great to have company and relaxed conversations, with friends.