Wednesday, 5 March 2014

Failing to build on success..... Strangely, the hard day yesterday has had no obvious effect either on swelling or infection of my leg and everything seems under control. However, as the night progresses, there is a new problem. Initially I have indigestion which is causing sleeplessness. It just doesn't go away culminating in a bout of retching and heaving. Another health issue is all I need. I do manage to get some sleep but another bout follows. Surely that's the end of it. Well, now I've overslept; it's after 9 am.
At this point it doesn't take much working out. I won't be going anywhere today. On that basis a couple of things need to be resolved. I still have the motorbike. I send it back asking if I can take it out another day. The owner agrees. Secondly I have paid for breakfast today which I don't normally do. Another day I would enjoy a western breakfast for a change but not today. It's a waist. I just have to reset again today while after lunch I take some soya milk and yogurt which jest sets off another bout of retching. I get some welcome sleep in the afternoon but today is a complete write-off.
Golden Mountain Garden..... While I'm not really in the frame of mind to write up my blog I can add a little on this otherwise day of inactivity. I notice on my local printed map that I'm actually staying at Phoukham Resort. It's my understanding that Phoukham is the name of the owner, but the resort office is clearly marked Golden Mountain Garden Group and is obviously set out for activities including golf. The complex itself is at the rear of Phoukham Shopping Center, but very little shop space is actually taken up. However, it does include a transport booking office seemingly for the Vientiane service that brought me here. There is also a useful tourist information centre. Immediately behind the centre is the Runway Pub. This doesn't seem to be open but gives a clue as to the origins of this site. Yes, this area was part of the old airport. In fact the owner rather than build a new resort has utilised what must have been the terminal building. Today it serves as an office, a restaurant and function hall.
Regarding the accommodation itself, it is cheap, and I moved here as it seemed cleaner, more comfortable and offered better service. However, as the time passes by I'm beginning to think it's a wrong move. The assumption was that I would have the motorbike, but the rooms are somewhat removed from local shops and restaurants. There is no fridge here, but I manage with my flask. I miss the free coffee and at the risk of being harsh, the local coffee brewed in the restaurant here served cool with powdered milk is quite frankly disgusting. More of a headache is the fact that I cannot use the internet despite the system reporting that it is connected. Even so I'm not considering moving yet again. Tomorrow perhaps things will be a lot clearer. Finally, it's worth noting that on the plateau here temperatures are a good 5 degrees lower than in Thailand. In fact the air-conditioning in the room hardly switches on. The weather is certainly better for travelling.
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