Landed on a tropical island: Organic honey… is that really so healthy?

Els van Wijlen is currently staying with her husband 'de Kuuk' on Koh Phangan. Her son Robin has opened a coffee cafe on the island.

Just before lunchtime, Robin asks if the Kuuk can get some organic honey. The Kuuk has to eat on time, otherwise he will get grumpy, but picking up a jar of honey should be possible.

The honey man lives in the mountains with his bees and his dog. The dog rages terribly when the Kuuk comes and the honey man calls the dog to order. The dog does not listen and bites the Kuuk in the calf. The dog is beaten with a stick and the Kuuk has 2 small holes in his leg.

The organic honey man takes a leaf from the tree, rubs the wounds and suggests going to the hospital. The Kuuk doesn't want to know about that. He only wants one thing... to get out as soon as possible. With a fright in his legs, he tears home with his jar of honey.

Then he realizes that he really has to go to the hospital with a dog bite. If you get rabies, you will surely die.
And he is not ready for that yet, life still has a lot to offer. Tomorrow Max Verstappen has to race and qualifying will start soon.

As his support and rock I go to the hospital. And no Kuuk, don't eat first, you can do that later, it won't take that long. It's just 2 small holes. I don't know how quickly you die from rabies, but better not take any chances.
Hungry and grumpy, the Kuuk goes along ... "as long as they hurry up there, because I'm starving and qualifying will start soon".

In the Bangkok Hospital hospital they know us. De Kuuk is given a royal welcome and his bed in the examination room has already been made. Inform the insurance company first. Somewhat embarrassed, I press emergency abroad in the selection menu. Otherwise I can't get in touch. To be honest, there is no need at all when I look at the Kuuk with 2 tiny holes in the calf.
The only need he has is famine. He growls and snaps at the friendly smiling nurses.

First check if he is allergic to the rabies vaccine. 2 small injections…wait 30 minutes for any allergic reaction.
Well, says the doctor who is chatting with me and 5 nurses at the counter, I already know after 10 minutes whether there is an allergy, but according to the procedure I have to wait 30 minutes.

Slowly time ticks by and the Kuuk is very excited. After half an hour it turns out that he is not allergic to the vaccine and everything is pulled out of the closet. It's time for the treatment.

Cartful of bandages, cotton wool, bottles, gloves and syringes, with a few friendly smiling nurses behind them looking for a place around the bed of the Kuuk who is getting hungrier (read grumpier). “What kind of hassle is that… I was also bitten 40 years ago and then I was back at the doctor with 1 syringe within 5 minutes.”

I am asked when sir last had a tetanus shot… I think 2 years ago, but I am not sure.

Then do that too.

Okay, that will be 5 injections today, and another 5 in the coming weeks. “What???!! 10 syringes? Have they gone completely mad?"

The syringes in the wounds hurt a lot, says the doctor, smiling kindly. The Kuuk looks at me bewildered, he won't become rabid, will he?? Calm down Kuuk we only want the very best for you. If you die, it's a shame too…don't you think? And tomorrow you can watch Max.

Hungry, he lays down. Lying on his right side, he receives a series of injections ranging from just annoying to very painful in the upper arm, calf and buttock.

Well if that doesn't kill the hunger then I don't know what will. Unfortunately, qualifying is already in full swing. The Kuuk reacts like a vicious dog to the instructions of the nurses. Just hold on Kuuk, you can eat something and you can see that qualification in the replay, right??

After the injections, the pants are pulled up and with instructions for further injections and a paper bag full of painkillers and antibiotics, the treatment has come to a successful end for the day. Just before we leave the nurse says: And no alcohol sir…

She sees the look in the Kuuk's eyes and to avert an attack from a false patient, she quickly says, Maybe little bit alcohol, sir, indicating a little bit with her thumb and forefinger.

When he comes home from the late lunch I have already discovered that there is no rabies on the island at all. Well, the Kuuk can be bitten by anything with confidence. He will no longer succumb to rabies.

The next day, while enjoying a beer during a thrilling race, Max Verstappen becomes the winner at the Formula 1 race in Malaysia.