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It was indeed fortunate for me that Gaels persistance found a hospital that would admit me, conduct tests and treat me. Up until this stage we had been told I had travellers diarhea and that it would eventually clear up. These small clinics on the highways do a great job, but they can't carry out adequate testing. If I had just let it run its course I hate to think what the outcome would have been.
After being released from hospital with an arm full of assorted drugs we returned for a night to our hotel on the outskirts of the town. This hotel was managed by a young Colombian who studied and worked in Melbourne for six years, but has returned to Colombia to take over the reins of the family business interests.
Luis really looked after us. He actually had his driver take us too the hospital in his brand new bulletproof Toyota Landcruiser.
Apparently the security is necessary as the family, have in the past, been the subjects of attempted kidnappings and holdups. Unknown to us, up until recently, this town was a place to be avoided by Colombians and certainly not visited by tourists. Ah, ignorance is bliss.
Luis also informed us that because of his standing in the town, the father even had contacts at the hospital, which he apparently used to help expedite my treatment. I am sure his input had a great deal to do with Gael being able to stay in the same room with me and do most of the nursing. Cheers for Luis, his Dad and Gael!!
We have retraced our tracks eleven hours back to Minca where we knew we could find secure parking and review our future plans. It was a tough drive in heavy traffic in my weakened state.
We are pulling the pin here for reasons I have already mentioned, but the decision has been made to continue our travels elsewhere. We looked at the US, as it is closest, but we lack an EPA document that would guarantee that we could land the vehicle and not be turned away. A document you don't need if you drive into the country only if you ship in.
With that being the case, the only other choice from the ports of call from here are in Europe. We had a choice of London or Hamburg. London won for no other reason than we need to be able to find an English speaking shipping agent. Bloody language issues again.
Getting out of Colombia promises to be equally as hard as getting in. We have employed the services of a agent to help the process flow. We hope it will be money well spent. He has told us we can get the vehicle on a ship on the 7th of August at the earliest. How soon after that we can fly out to London is anybody's guess. Paperwork has to be shuffled and stamped etc.etc.
After being released from hospital with an arm full of assorted drugs we returned for a night to our hotel on the outskirts of the town. This hotel was managed by a young Colombian who studied and worked in Melbourne for six years, but has returned to Colombia to take over the reins of the family business interests.
Luis really looked after us. He actually had his driver take us too the hospital in his brand new bulletproof Toyota Landcruiser.
Apparently the security is necessary as the family, have in the past, been the subjects of attempted kidnappings and holdups. Unknown to us, up until recently, this town was a place to be avoided by Colombians and certainly not visited by tourists. Ah, ignorance is bliss.
Luis also informed us that because of his standing in the town, the father even had contacts at the hospital, which he apparently used to help expedite my treatment. I am sure his input had a great deal to do with Gael being able to stay in the same room with me and do most of the nursing. Cheers for Luis, his Dad and Gael!!
We have retraced our tracks eleven hours back to Minca where we knew we could find secure parking and review our future plans. It was a tough drive in heavy traffic in my weakened state.
We are pulling the pin here for reasons I have already mentioned, but the decision has been made to continue our travels elsewhere. We looked at the US, as it is closest, but we lack an EPA document that would guarantee that we could land the vehicle and not be turned away. A document you don't need if you drive into the country only if you ship in.
With that being the case, the only other choice from the ports of call from here are in Europe. We had a choice of London or Hamburg. London won for no other reason than we need to be able to find an English speaking shipping agent. Bloody language issues again.
Getting out of Colombia promises to be equally as hard as getting in. We have employed the services of a agent to help the process flow. We hope it will be money well spent. He has told us we can get the vehicle on a ship on the 7th of August at the earliest. How soon after that we can fly out to London is anybody's guess. Paperwork has to be shuffled and stamped etc.etc.
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Foster Hope all plans to extricate yourselves are progressing well and that Bob is holding out or on the improve, (even better)? Look forward to your next post. Best wishes and safe travels... wherever you go!