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It doesn’t get better than spending your birthday on a tropical island with loved ones, but one wrong, careless act left me needing urgent medical attention
Like many others who reside in the UK, I try to escape the winter blues with a week away in search of some natural vitamin D. Bali in Indonesia, is a beloved travel destination for its warm climate and affordability, despite the long flight from the UK, it is truly one of those rare locations you can relax and switch off.
With endless sandy beaches, waves that perfectly barrel and crystal clear water, Bali is a travel destination like no other. However, one wrong move and you could be left bedbound with an IV drip – as I soon learnt. I have always considered myself a mindful traveller, whether it’s swerving dodgy food, brushing my teeth with bottled water, or avoiding alcohol in questionable venues. Everyone has their own rules when abroad, but above all, everyone wants to avoid a medical emergency in a foreign country.
Bali has fantastic cuisine, with traditional dishes like Nasi Goreng and Beef Rendang; it’s hard not to indulge carelessly. On the flight to Denpasar, I lectured my partner on Bali Belly, the name given to an upset stomach by tourists who have come down with such symptoms in the country. Common symptoms include cramps, nausea, bloating, diarrhoea and loss of appetite.
I listed the precautions we must take, including hand sanitiser before every meal, no street food, only drinking bottled water and most importantly… no ice in drinks. He laughed at my strict rules, but I went on to explain I have seen how quickly (and easily) this stomach illness can infiltrate and ruin a holiday. Since I previously lived in Australia, I have visited Indonesia frequently due to its proximity. After multiple trips throughout the years, I’ve witnessed friends and family come down with Bali Belly on countless occasions.
‘It went from zero to 100 in mere minutes’
However, despite the precautions I shared with my partner, within 24 hours of our trip last month, I started to feel ill. At first, I didn’t acknowledge the severity of my condition, but after being stuck by the toilet for two hours with extreme nausea, it became clear that I was suffering from the infamous Bali belly.
One would believe there would be warning signs before this ‘bug’ takes over; however, in my case, it went from zero to 100 in mere minutes. After 12 exhausting hours of my stomach testing my limits and no signs of the nausea ending anytime soon, I was so dehydrated that I could barely stand up. In fear of passing out, a pick-up truck was called, and as I sat in the back, a local man drove me to the medical centre on the island. The centre was fully equipped, a doctor saw me upon arrival, and I was placed on an IV drip, which was filled with anti-nausea medication.
‘It soon became clear what had happened’
After three hours lying in a hospital bed, I was given a goody bag of pharmaceuticals, and I made my way back to my hotel for some well-earned rest. However, I couldn’t help but wonder what exactly gave me ‘Bali Belly’. What did I do wrong? The fact that my partner was relieved of this illness was somewhat surprising as we had consumed all the same food and drinks. However, I had water at breakfast, and he didn’t. It soon became clear what had happened. I neglected my own rules, and when I ordered water at breakfast, the waitress brought out an unopened bottle alongside a glass filled with ice. I had carelessly poured bottled water over contaminated ice and consumed it. Despite the chaotic start to my vacation, I felt as good as new within 24 hours of receiving the IV drip, and then the birthday celebrations commenced.
Bali is an incredible vacation destination. With an abundance of culture, there is so much to explore. This trip will definitely be one to remember, and it is a friendly reminder never to drop your guard when travelling. Be cautious, even if it seems dramatic, and no matter how hot and humid it may be, you don’t need ice in your drink.