Life in Thailand: Landed on a tropical island (part 5)
Els van Wijlen has been living for more than 30 years with her husband 'de Kuuk' in a small village in Brabant. In 2006 they visited Thailand for the first time. If possible, they go on holiday there twice a year. Their favorite island is Koh Phangan, which feels like coming home. Her son Robin is going to open a coffee cafe on Koh Phangan.
The party at Robin's was a success and the day after we take it easy. Somi, Robin's girlfriend, is not fit and is lying in bed, she has also worked very hard the last few days. We are not fit either, but not because of working too hard. We do the bare necessities and hang further by the sea. Robin works, but has adjusted the pace. This is how Thursday passes.
Friday morning Robin calls me early. If I can go to Bubba's soon. The coffee machine will be delivered that morning.
When I ask where he is now…….he says:”In the hospital with Somi, she is very ill”…..What??
In the night after the party she actually got sick and the next day in bed it got worse and worse. She is getting sicker and Robin is very worried. Early this morning together on the scooter to the Government hospital and there she is now being tested for Dengue. That could explain why she feels so very sick with a high fever and muscle aches.
Usually you are rid of the fever after a week, but in the following months you can still have very little energy and be tired quickly. Somi is the one who has to teach the employees this week how to prepare and serve the dishes on the menu and if she is sick… then what? Let's hope she gets better soon. Robin is in the hospital with Somi and the coffee machine will be delivered soon.
So I go to Bubba's like a spear and there the men with "La Marzocco" are already waiting. Unfortunately they don't speak English and I don't speak Thai. They walk in and study the place where the device is to be placed. Pictures are taken, they walk out and they sit down. That's not a good sign. The delivery of the device has already been delayed 2 times because the bar is not ready and now it does not seem to be in order. Fortunately, Kio, our Thai friend, arrives quickly and with some emergency solutions the machine can be installed.
Robin and Somi come back from the hospital after a few hours. Somi does indeed have Dengue. She is weak and tired from her trip to the hospital; so straight to bed.
Robin is also tired on Saturday after a sleepy night. He slept badly and Somi was in a lot of pain. Still, he goes to work. Today the coffee maker is being explored and tested and we taste its first cup of coffee… delicious!
Sunday morning Robin also appears to be ill. He has a sore throat and a bad cold and I read on FB that there is a cold virus going around Koh Phangan. So hopefully it's a common flu/cold and not Dengue.
Sunday afternoon with Somi to the hospital for a check-up, she is still very weak and actually needs an IV. If she promises to eat more and drink well, she is happy to go home.
Monday morning Roos, our daughter who is doing an internship at PACS on Koh Phangan, sniffling and with a sore throat on the phone….I'm sick….
but not so bad, I'm just going to work....
..and it's still raining….
…as I write I feel a sore throat coming on…. sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't...
Bubba's Coffe Bar opening soon?
To be continued.
I also had Dengue in Thailand last January with a two or three weeks it went well again but with minimal effort immediately dead tired I'm not yet the old, worthless Denque d'r are four types they say at the GGD use good deet is the advice.
Also won a prize on Koh Chaang a few years ago. Comparable to a severe flu. It just takes a little longer to recover. You will lose more than a week of your precious holiday. The Thai mosquitoes are relentless. Have been going on holiday to Thailand for 10 years. A hundred mosquito bites without any problems. But encounter the wrong mosquito once and bingo...