Day 46 - Rigby's Ear Infection returns - A dash to the mainland

So we awoke this morning excited about another day on Koh Kradan, having had an excellent evening discussing the logistics of running an almost deserted island with our host Wally, unaware of the imminent panic that was going to develop, and how suddenly you can find yourself extremely insecure in such remote conditions.

Rigby was curled up in a ball under his mosquito net, moaning and slowly rocking back and forth, which is his usual reaction to a fever, he was barely able to acknowlede our presence but after a while made it clear that his ear was in significant pain. We knew his ear could possibly be infected yesterday as the weeping had started again, so he was already on the antibiotics, we attempted to put some more antibiotic drops into his ear, at which point the screaming started! There could not be an area on this small 60 acre island that was not immediately alerted to Rigby's pain.

The immediate panic threw the rest of us into hasty action! Imogen got busy, quickly responding to Mummy's orders, picking up bits and bobs and placing in which ever bag was closest, in a quiet and efficient fashion. Mummy took on prime carer role and rapidly took Rigby's side and tried to limit the pain and nurse him to some form of stability. I ran, rapidly at first, in a south westerly direction. Then on realising my directional error, less rapidly in an easterly direction, as I continued to question my route and purpose. The running turned to jogging and then walking and then for a short moment to a standstill. A level of sanity then prevailed, a plan and a direction for its execution entered my mind. I then ran very fast in a northerly direction just as a second set of whails started to come from Rigby's direction.

Wally's wife was tinkering with the generator (definitely woman's work!) and I told her of our immediate need to leave the island to get to Trang. Trang is a town on the mainland which I remember has a moderate level of facilities. 45 minutes later and we are on a longtail boat heading for the mainland, Rigby's head in Mum's lap, Imogen and Dad looking concerned and serious about the situation. I had dug out the insurance details and have googled the exact location of an english speaking doctor, and frankly I had the nearest hospital address close to hand aswell.

With just a mile or two to go to reach the mainland, Rigby turns his head round to me and suddenly opens his eyes wide and bright and says. “ Dad I've a cool new blog entry. Let's do one on Transport” at which point he bolts his head up and continues “ We can do each boat and train, tuc-tuc, and pick-up and post a picture next to it  Dude” Yes I am afraid this travelling lark has lead everyone to calling each other “Dude”

This comment was the start of the most miraculous recovery, and by the time we got to the mainland he was jumping around in his normal state. Obviously we were extremely happy to see him back, but equally ready to strangle him!

So today we are in Trang, a medium sized town just off the western coast of Thailand. We are staying in a very large hotel that has not been updated since its build in the mid sixty's, at which point I am sure it was the most impressive hotel in the whole of southern Thailand. It is a fantastic display of sixty's opulence, but with vast empty spaces, crumbling wallpaper, and no more than a dozen occupants. The Thumin Hotel is a cross between the Shining and an original Vegas resort. The surreal feel will make it the ideal place to rest and make sure Rigby is definitely fully back to normal. The question is, how will this change the journey from here?

Pictures from the last few days:

Posing on the boat with Koh Lanta in the background

 

 

First sighting of Kradan... very small!



The Kids on the front of the boat

A tropical storm led to extended School of Mum and Dad

Our Beach on Kradan

After Rigby's miraculous recovery

Tuc Tuc to hotel in Trang

Our Surreal Hotel in Trang