Monday 5th March

(Cont from Page 13).....There are a couple of international standard hospitals in Hanoi but the director suggests I visit the Vietnamese hospital for vascular decease. Apparently the treatment I’ve been getting is administered with this in mind. Ideally he would have me fly from Dien Bien Phu airport to Hanoi but the daily flight is fully booked now. Due to shortage of local currency I am prepared to take the overnight sleeper bus to Hanoi. He reluctantly agrees despite the grueling 10 hour trip through the mountains. I should at least be in Hanoi around 6 am in time to obtain treatment that day. As I wait patiently through the afternoon the director offers a courtesy vehicle (ambulance) to transfer me to the bus station. The time arrives and I receive VIP treatment as I am directed to a better class tour bus. The ambulance driver has words with the bus driver and takes his leave but no amount of comfort really compensates for road conditions in the mountains of North Vietnam. Some sleep becomes possible and thank goodness I still have some mobility. Most importantly I had bought myself some airtime on my mobile. As the day draws to a close this service becomes crucial.

Tuesday 6th March

My Plan Revealed........The increase in road traffic and slower progress beacons dawn and the imminent arrival at Hanoi’s My Dinh northern bus terminal. The bus pulls in just after 6 am. There is the usual clamber of passengers recovering their luggage while determining cab drivers clog up the exit. The bus driver and a couple of passengers know of my condition and utter the word ‘hospital’ but amidst confusion I recover my baggage and retreat to a waiting taxi. The driver is given the destination and around 7 am I arrive not at a hospital in Hanoi but at the airport.I check in at the Air Asia desk and proceed to immigration. Clearing immigration I have mixed feelings. I am at last clear of Vietnam the source of much misery over the last week or so but on the other hand I still have work to do to ensure I receive ongoing treatment.
Return to Bangkok........The Air Asia flight is on time departing Hanoi at 9.10 am. Within two hours I am on the tarmac at Suvarnabhumi Airport. (Cont on Page 15)