Mar 18 - Apr ???, 2020
Nong Khai with Cheng
Location 
: Nong Khai, Thailand
Cheng from Out of the Blue
From out of the blue, Cheng, my Good Samaritan from Siargao, messaged me that she had to leave Malaysia because of the pending Covid 19 lock-down. So, she decided to join me here in Nong Khai. It's been four years since we were together in Coron. It was a surprise having her around. We spent time catching up over breakfast, dinners and coffee.
reunited with Cheng
Palming
some health issues (no, it's not Covid 19), she found therapeutic relief on my palming. I would rub my two palms together, put my intention, and visualize all the prana in the universe converging into my palms as I gently place my palms on her back. I would do this repeatedly, at least once daily.
Medical Emergency
At 12:30am I got a call from her. She couldn't utter a word as she was crying from agonizing pain. I rushed to her apartment on my bicycle and saw her on the floor, curled up and wreathing in pain. Even though the hospital was just around the corner, it was impossible to take her there. She couldn't even move and just kept screaming, "pain killer!!!!". It was horrifying. It seemed like she would rather die in that instance rather than endure whatever pain that was.
Ambulance to the Hospital
I called the hospital repeatedly but no reply. Frantic, I raced to the hospital for ambulance service - it was just around the corner. The ambulance came quick. They arrived within 15 minutes and rushed her to the Emergency Ward where she was given an intravenous pain killer, x-rayed and dextrosed. I was constantly by her side, rubbing her arms and legs, assuring her I was there. It was 4am when she finally got some sleep. I came back to my hotel to catch up on sleep as well.
Hospital Life
The following days saw more blood tests, CT scan, and more tubes in her body. The pain was gone but the discomfort remained. She was weak. I took care of the logistics - secretly giving her a small amount of coconut water (she was begging for it despite food and water restriction by her doctor), going back and forth to her apartment for passport, money and extra clothes, etc.
Planned Surgery
She was scheduled for surgery. I talked to her doctor and asked what the purpose of the operation was. Were they going to remove something? Stitch something? Clean up something? He said the CT scan revealed an intestinal infection, but he didn't really know what was wrong or causing it. So, to make matters clear, I asked him if the surgery was an exploratory surgery - just to find out, without any assurance, what was wrong. He said yes, that it was an exploratory surgery. They would have cut her up from the upper chest down to her belly, open up the ribs and look for anything that's wrong. That was the exact procedure done to Mike. Personally, I thought it was too much for an abdominal pain. Cheng refused the surgery. I would have done the same thing too if it were me.
The nurses were all horrified when they learned Cheng refused the surgery. They talked to me, trying to convince me to convince her that she was taking a serious risk. All the healthcare providers (doctors, nurses, aids, etc.) were really doing their best with best intentions. I just don't agree with some of their methods (I'm a self healer, and so far, it has worked perfectly for me). So did Cheng.
Back to the Apartment
When Cheng was finally discharged from the hospital, she was still too weak to walk around the block. Good thing she could ride on the back of my bicycle to her apartment. She remained weak for the next couple of days, unable to manage on her own and unable to leave her apartment. I took care of the logistics - food, pharmacy errands, utensils, water, etc.
Pancho
Cheng also asked the help of Pancho, a yoga teacher whose daily meditation session we regularly attended. Pancho knows many things about healing. He would stop by the apartment from time to time checking up on Cheng and providing basic cleansing aid - epson salt, castor oil, etc.
Ending Thoughts
I've always kept fit and on top of my game to survive extreme travel in the last 9 years, being homeless and practically penniless. But this episode made me realize that by being strong for my survival also makes me strong for others. In 2013, Cheng took care of me when I was sleeping on my hammock in Siargao. Now in 2020, I get to return the favor. Life is a round ball they say - it can turn any way around.
--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit 
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Cheng Blogs
- Nong Khai with Cheng Mar 18 - Apr ???, 2020
- Traveling with Cheng Oct 31-Nov 8, 2016
- Sex in Singapore? Oct 20, 2013
- Singapore Girl July 21, 2013
- Exploring Siargao's Cloud 9 July 18-20, 2013
Next stop:
Nong Khai Map
Vientiane to Nong Khai by bus
At the Khua Din Bus Terminal, you can board the #14 bus bound for Buddha Park. It will make a stop on the Friendship Bridge border - 15 mins, B8000. Go to Laos Immigration to exit. Board the special bus to cross the Friendship Bridge, Kip 4,000 or Baht 20. It will stop at Thai Immigration. Get processed. From there, board a tuk-tuk for Nong Khai, 5kms.
Nong Khai Attractions
- Nong Khai Aquarium -
- Salakaewkoo (Wat Khaek) -
- Issan Rum Distillery -
- Wat Pho Chai -
- Lan Phaya Nak -
- Tha Sadet Market -
- Nong Khai Muay Thai Gym -
- Phrathat Bang Phuan -
Nong Khai
Travel Tips for Thailand
How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days
This process is BEFORE Covid 19. Not sure what it is now.
- Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
b) flight booking to Thailand
c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
d) filled-in tourist visa form
e) 2 passport pictures
f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
g) passport with at least 6 months validity - After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
- NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.
60-Day Thai Tourist Visa
NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.
- bring the following to the Immigration Office:
a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
b) Baht 1900
c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture - submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
- when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
- when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
- when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
30-Day Extension
NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.
Book Train Tickets in Thailand
Book Train Tickets in Thailand Online by Train36.com
General Travel Tips
- arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
- put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
- avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
- power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!
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