My husband and I thrive on off-the-beaten path travel, but I have to admit that sometimes, it has its disadvantages. While our trip to Tibet in November was amazing, it’s hard to forget my daughter’s misery as she suffered from Acute Mountain Sickness – and the condition of the hospital facility we visited for advice.
More recently, we traveled to Ubud, Bali, a destination I would not put in the category of “off-the-beaten path,” however, we still had our share of mishaps which could have been avoided had my family – including my in-laws and mother – spent Christmas on the sofa in Seattle.
Highlights of the trip included amazing food, sightseeing at lovely temples set in breathtaking tropical settings, and a day at the beach where we enjoyed swimming in ocean water that was as warm as a bath and full of colorful topical fish. Ah, such wonderful memories as I sit here in the cold north.
On the other hand, low lights included, but unfortunately were not limited to, the following mishaps among family members: four stitches, an electrical shock from a poorly secured outlet, severe dehydration (requiring hospitalization), a dog bite that drew blood, a strained back from a fall down an uneven staircase, a broken arm from the same set of steps (and an hour ride in an ambulance to the nearest hospital), and “Bali Belly” ( the local version of “Montezuma’s revenge”). By the time we left (which was three days earlier than planned), we were on a first name basis with Ubud’s clinic staff and had visited Bali’s two major hospitals.
We had thought the 90 steps (pictured above) required to get to our rented villa in picturesque Ubud would be a problem. This turned out not to be the case, though the caretaker of the house, who physically carried my mother down the stone stairs in order to meet an ambulance, might disagree.
I (already!) happily anticipate our next vacation to a remote destination, but our most recent experiences have taught us that these trips should not be viewed through rose-colored glasses. While we probably won’t change our ways (though my 80-year-old mother, now recovering from a badly broken humerus bone may have made her last trip overseas), our recent visits to the Emergency Room in Tibet and Bali have ensured I will be as prepared as I can be – with a first aid kit and thermometer, among other things – before we depart.
My father-in-law boldly penned the below words to the tune of “The Twelve Day of Christmas,” several days before we left Bali. Luckily, it didn’t require any updates.
On the first day in Bali this is what came to be
A sore throat for little E
On the second day in Bali this is what came to be
(Grandpa got a sunburn and a sore throat for little E
On the third day in Bali this is what came to be
Dogs chewed on the shoes, Grandpa got a sunburn, and a sore throat for little E
On the fourth day in Bali this is what came to be
Lost sunscreen found, Dogs chewed on the shoes, Grandpa got a sunburn, …
On the fifth day in Bali this is what came to be
Locked out without keys, Lost sunscreen found, Dogs chewed on shoes, ….
On the sixth day in Bali this is what came to be
Beach ball globe was punctured, Locked out without keys, Lost sunscreen found,….
On the seventh day in Bali this is what came to be
Abuela broke her arm, Beach ball globe was punctured, Locked out without keys, …
On the eighth day in Bali this is what came to be
Elizabeth got 4 stitches, Abuela broke her arm, Beach ball globe was punctured, …
On the ninth day in Bali this is what came to be
Grandpa caught Bali Belly, Elizabeth got 4 stitches, Abuela broke her arm, …
On the tenth day in Bali this is what came to be
Nona rolled down stairs, Grandpa caught Bali Belly, Elizabeth got 4 stitches, …
On the eleventh day in Bali this is what came to be
Rico chewed on Erik, Nona rolled down stairs, Grandpa caught Bali Belly, …
On the twelfth day in Bali this is what came to be
Elizabeth got a shocking, Rico chewed on Erik, Nona rolled down stairs, Grandpa caught Bali Belly, Elizabeth got 4 stitches, Abuela broke her arm, Beach ball globe was punctured, Locked out without keys, Lost sunscreen found, Dogs chewed on shoes, Pa got a sunburn and a sore throat for little E!