Day 16: Wed 22 Feb - Hanoi

Temp:17 to 24C very cool especially if you’ve got a temperature 

I have waited for this day since last Saturday, I might finally get some answers about what’s making me feel so bad.  Managed to have some fruit and yogurt for breakfast and left the hotel about 7am for a 8 am appointment.  Even though I was early they started the process straight away.  All very polite and efficient, but it was going to be a long day.  The nurse took my vitals and confirmed I had a temperature. In to see the doctor and the string of tests commenced, chest X-ray, malaria, dengue fever, flue and COVID.

Only one came back positive, as I expected, COVID.  I was badly dehydrated so over the next three hours they pumped buckets of fluids into me. It’s amazing how I neglect my fluids when I’m not eating.  Once it all kicked in I could feel myself getting a little better, albeit slightly.  The doctor came back to me numerous times during the day to check how I was going. It was all done about 2:30pm and after paying a $1,400 bill and collecting an armful of pills I caught a cab back to the hotel.  

I can’t thank Wens enough for organising all this from back home.  She did a fantastic job and as it turned out she couldn’t have done it any better. Thank you my Darling, love you.  

For the first time since Saturday I felt like a little wander around the block. A French quarter with lots of character, however it wasn’t long before I had enough and it was back to my room for a rest.  

Spoke to Wens before she went to 

bed and I’m just about ready for bed too.  

                      Getting fuelled up with fluids 

Day 15: Tue 21 Feb - Hue to Hanoi,

             Last night’s hotel 

        One the boats to boys cruised on

           Reception at the hotel last night. 
Temp: 18 to 24C 

Not much difference in my overall condition so I won’t be doing any of the local rides or tours around Hue. I’ll wait in my room till we’re ready to go to the airport for the flight to Hanoi.  I’ve finally decided to see a doctor as this has been hanging on too long and I seem to have a secondary infection in my lungs by the look of the stuff I am coughing up.  Hanoi being the capital city will have some good private clinics I hope. We fly out late today so it have to be tomorrow. 

The others have gone off riding and a river cruise. I managed to troll to the local corner store for some juice and now I’m bugged for the rest of the day. Trying to remain positive but it’s hard when you’ve looked forward to this so long only to have it ruined by the thoughtless of others.  I would fly out of Hanoi tomorrow if there were any available flights, but Wens has checked and there’s nothing available until the day before I’m due to fly home anyway.  So there’s not a great deal of benefit in that; considering what Qantas would charge us to change. 

When the gang returned to the hotel we all packed up our bags and checked out. Then wandered off for some lunch at a beautiful immaculate English / Vietnamese restaurant with a distinctive French style and decor. The food was superb, I had the chicken soup and a crepe with ice cream, hoping that both may improve my health. Very nice but still feeling very ordinary. I suspect it’s going to take the miracles of modern medicine, not Mum’s favourite cure all. 

We then headed off to the airport, but first we called at the famous Hue Citadel. I wasn’t up to going in but it seemed impressive from what I could see.  We continued our bus ride out to the airport, checked in and flew to Hanoi, about one hour. 

I couldn’t wait to get to bed as I was buggered. But then I spent an awful night tossing and turning, coughing.  Just wanted all this to end as I’m a very bad patient. 

                   The lunch venue 

               “

                 “

                           “

                       “

  My lovely  cold coconut water. Must be desperate for some photos when I’m post drinks 

          It’s all I see lately the inside of my room.