Serene Sundabarns...not a bengal tiger in sight!

Some friends, mum and I headed to the Sundabarn mangroves south of Bangladesh on the Bay of Bengal. It was the most peaceful four days I have spent in Bangladesh so far. The only noises were the birds and the boats. We travelled by cruise boat complete with guide, cook, rangers who protected us from bandits and tigers. Fortunately we saw neither. There was a lot of birdwatching and looking for tigers. The closest we got to a tiger were the footprints below. There are only an estimated 300-400 wild tigers left in the Sundabarns. Some research has started but only one tiger has been tagged so far. We did manage to see a crocodile, dolphins, wild deer, wild monkeys and my first beach since leaving Oz. We also saw some human remains, most probably the result of the 1000 fisherman who went missing a few months ago as a result of a typhoon.

Our cruiseboat.

Peaceful scenery

A stable wharf.

2 rangers protected us from bandits and tigers.

Fisherman

Tiger prints on the beach?

Some human remains left on the beach, most probably from a typhoon not a tiger.

Mum and my trip on the river at old Dhaka.

Some of the beautiful kids that sell flowers at the traffic lights to earn money to survive.

Mum loved the kids instantly, but then again who wouldn't?

Mum was struck by these little cuties!

My girls and I at my office building.

Mum visits Dhaka

Mum arrived in Dhaka a week ago. Transport is again at a stand still due to political unrest. The opposition is still unhappy with the new interim president and still unhappy with the head of the electoral commission. So there has been no transport in, out and around Dhaka for the last 3 days. You can find out more about this by reading this SMH article or looking at this Dhaka newspaper site.

Mum and I managed to catch a river boat on the weekend and visit my kids at work. It was the first time I had seen them since Dengue. I missed them so much.I hope you enjoy the photos!

Blockades and yet another ambulance
When I returned from Bangkok I decided to visit some friends in the west of Bangladesh to ease myself out of the sleepy stage of the Dengue Fever, see beutiful sunset above. However while I was there political trouble struck, blockades were placed all over the country stopping the movement of people and goods for four days. I was stranded without a way to return to Dhaka to meet my mum who is arriving in Dhaka tonight. Luckily a few contacts I have knew of a local celebrity who needed to get back to Dhaka. So I arrived early this morning by ambulance. I thought I had seen my last ambo this morning but I think I am about to see another one tonight to get my mum out of the airport!

Out of hospital and in retail therapy mode..
Yay I am out of hospital today. I am spending two nights in Bangkok before heading back to Dhaka. I went a little crazy at the local department store this afternoon and bought not 1, 2, 3, or 4, but 5 pairs of shoes. I'm blaming the drugs!

RECOVERING IN BANGKOK

I am writing from Bangkok international Hospital, feeling almost human again today. No more drip, no more needles, but still a pair of red legs that resemble a pom who has been lying on bondi beach for a few days without sunscreen. I don't even look like kramer anymore after the nurses washed my hair- first time in 10 days.

Last week my flatmate Elise rushed me to hospital in Dhaka where they tested me with a million tests and despite my gut feeling that I had dengue the doctors insisted that I had typhoid and were treating me for that. After a few days of getting worse and getting frustrated at the hospital staff our health and insurance company decided to fly me here to Bangkok for further diagnosis and treatment. So I had my own private jet and doctors transfer me to Bangkok Hospital where it took about 3 hours to be diagnosed with yep you guessed it dengue fever- sometimes a gal just has to trust her intuition... and her Thai doctors. I have type 3 dengue, it has stuffed up my liver for a bit and given me hepatitis. Good news is that I didn't get the worst form which affects the brain.

I keep mistakenly calling my hospital room a hotel room cause its the nicest place I have ever stayed in. I have a huge widescreen tv (just as well with my eyesight) 2 couches, a huge bathroom- I had my first hot shower today. The food even tastes like thai restaurant food.

Thanks so much to everyone for all the phone calls, flowers, and cards. All your contact has really cheered me up and made me feel good in a place away from home.

I might only be here for one or two more days. I am going to see if I can scam a few extra nights here so I can fly to phuket for a few more days rest before I head back to crazy dhaka ( i hear the protests are about to begin again) when mum will be visiting (yay!!!!!).

Thanks again for all your well wishes and I am feeling better everyday.

Love Jodes