Hi Everyone,
I haven’t been writing because we really haven’t been doing much of anything. Randal got some kind of “bug?” about 10 days ago and he can’t seem to shake it. We did make a trip to the Langkawi Hospital and were directed to the Emergency Department where they take you for all initial problems if you just walk in. And even though Randal’s temp was high that morning on the boat, at the hospital his temperature, blood pressure and blood work read normal. Other than Malaria we’re really not sure what they tested him for. And the doctor kept all of the paperwork and we didn’t even think to get a copy. The doctor prescribed Paracetamol for 2 days and said to come back if the fever persisted. Well, the fever went away but not the fatigue. Randal has taken the emailed advice from medical friends to rest and drink fluids. But whatever it is, it’s taking its own sweet time of leaving. Since I haven’t gotten it and friends who visited on the boat didn’t get it, I’m guessing whatever it is, it’s not contagious.
To go to the doctor you have to take the Rebak Ferry and then hire a taxi. That’s not a real problem except if you’re feeling bad, a ferry ride isn’t so fun. It certainly is an incentive for staying as healthy as you can when you travel. It isn’t always possible to hop in the car and go to the doctor’s office or a nearby clinic. The Langkawi Doctor did seem interested and caring and with no real symptoms, what could he do to treat a total stranger? He told us to come back if the fever persisted and we could have gone back any time. Randal just got up every morning expecting to feel his old self. Hopefully a change of scene will help.
We will be changing our scenery starting Sunday. The boat will remain in Rebak. Randal and I are flying to Singapore on the 24th, then to Macau on the 28th. China is our real destination. We’re going to visit boat yard friends and Jingan friends. Travel to China requires a visa and we hope to get one in Singapore. If necessary we can get a visa when we get to Macau. From Macau we can go through customs and then actually just walk across to Gongbei China and catch a taxi or bus to Jingan. Our return flight from Macau back to Singapore is February 8th and from Singapore to Langkawi February 10th. Weather in Macau and Zhuhai should be between 40 and 60 degrees. That will probably seem freezing to us so we’re bringing wool sweaters and hats and lots of layers. I’m hoping it will actually feel like a nice break from the heat.
I’m not taking my computer so won’t be able to send photos until we return to the boat.
Hope all is well with all of you.
Ru
DoraMac