Patricia Bennet posted on November 26, 2014 21:27
AS you can see, many days have passed without a blog entry. The details are:
I found out there has been a Chikungunya virus outbreak since 10/17/14 in French Polynesia. And I did check travel.state.gov before leaving but did not see a warning about this. It became a level 1 as of early November, just in time for my trip.
When the flight from LA landed, the attendant announced something about mosquitoes and a virus, but I thought she said "West Nile Virus". When I got to my first hotel, I kept asking eveyone about "WEst Nile virus" and they said they hadn't heard about that.
Then on the catamaran, once again, I asked everyone and they said they had not heard about it. But I did buy some natural mosquito repellent. In spite of that I got a few mosquito bites at the first hotel and a couple while on board the boat.
Then, Saturday, I finally get on land at the Intercontinental Hotel on Moorea, and I find out from other travelers that it's the Chikungunya virus. And they told me it's very painful affecting the muscles and joints. Sometimes the joint pain last months or years. So, Sunday I read online that indeed in Tahiti and French Polynesia, there were over 8000 cases. But the concierge told me today, it's 11,000 now. These are mostly on the large island of Tahiti, but it's on all the islands. At risk are infants and people over 65 years. Good thing my birthday is next week, haha.
I was happy with the beach bungalow upgrade the hotel gave me. It had a view of the lagoon. But it was a bungalow which has wooden shutters without screens. Little cracks would allow mosquitoes in, as well as geckos (they were ok though). I became very concerned and bought the strong stinky chemical spray. Those buggers bit me 2 times by Sunday. The manager helped me get netting over my bed and a plug in repellent. We also discussed whether I wanted to go to back to a Lanai room which is more enclosed. I told him I would decide after one night.
I also found out Sunday that the small cut on my toe from the flipper used for snorkeling was infected. It had been covered with a band aid when I left the boat and I took it off Saturday night. I knew it didn't look good and knew I had to see a doctor.
Monday, I met Judy, an artist from Oregon. She offered to drive me to the doctor and wait for me as well-Amazing! We got to the pharmacy late though and they didn't open again til 16:00. We tried to find a restaurant open on Monday, but ended up at the Post Office, my favorite place. :) Judy has been here since early November and is staying until January. She doesn't have internet nor a cell phone. Good thing there is still the Post Office.
I treated her to lunch at my hotel, then she drove me back to the pharmacy. This pharmacy looked like one you would find in the states and it was crowded too. By the time we returned, my room had been switched. This time I had a view of the ocean front and the sunset. I decided if I had to stay indoors to avoid the mosquitoes, a great view would keep me happy.
The doctor told me I could not swim in the ocean until the toe healed. But the pool with chlorine was ok. Not quite the same.
Tuesday, I met a large family that has traveled together frequently. Tracy gave me a 100% DEET mosquito spray. I am well armed now, but have to spray all the time!
I used the exercise room which is in a bungalow and what did I find? Mosquitoes! I will spray alot before going there and wear long sleeve shirts and pants.
Today is Wednesday and it rained alot. I finally chose some tours I will take as well as parasailing.
Til tomorrow.
Trisha