Accidentally

It was supposed to be the last day in Thailand for now. Relaxed Sunday. Taking a scooter trip to a random old excavation filled with mesmerising blue water and another to a locally popular lake to have dinner with crowd from our guesthouse we hung out with previously. Maybe to go to see the fireworks in the evening at river Ping.

After an 40 min drive, we made it to the excavation. There must have been some mineral that made the water look so bizarre turquoise:

A sign made it quite clear that the venue wasn't for swimming: someone had died there the week before. Still some daredevils in the group wanted to push their limits and jump off the 10 meter cliff to the water. We didn't - but maybe we should've. Place was pretty awesome.

After the excavation excursion the lake wasn't that special - some went to enjoy the muddy bottom of the lake, others chilled out in a huts. Day had been very nice, but J felt herself a bit feverish at the lake. We decided to head back to the guesthouse before dark. Scooter should be refilled and returned, backpacks should be packed. 

The Danish fellow in the group came along and we took his lead. Unfortunately, he missed the turn we were supposed make and we ended up in a high-way kind of a road. Quick check from Google maps and we were back on track - just one U-turn and we would've been heading where we should.

This time we went to the traffic first. Changing a couple of lanes went fine. But then, unexpectedly, without any warning we were driven over by a car driving fast:

>> Breaks. Lost grip, windshield, asphalt. <<

Everything whirled around for a second and in the next moments, we managed to drag ourselves away from the road to the side curb. Panic took over J, but M stayed cool. 

>> Just wounds - we're all right - Just some torn skin. <<

We were both alive - nothing else really mattered that very moment.

Ambulance took us to the nearest hospital for a checkup and wound cleansing. J got a large road rash in her bum and right leg and deeper cuts in foot. They wanted to x-ray J's pelvis and transfer us to another more "international" hospital. M also had a long rash in his left leg and deeper cuts in his right wrist and ankle, but because he could walk the doctor quickly concluded that he didn't need more examinations. No antibiotics, no painkillers, nothing. Would've made sense, considering the next few days.

In the second hospital they cleaned J's wound again, did the x-rays and prescribed some medicin. The Danish fellow who had bravely stayed at the scene had taken care of the police hassle came to say hello and also the lady who had driven the car popped in. They and M went to police station for a quick statement, while J stayed at the hospital for monitoring. 

"International hospitals" in Thailand (and many other countries as well) can be a bitch when it comes to accepting foreign travel insurance, particularly as guarantors of payment for medical care. This was true also in this case. The care staff actually refused to give feverish J painkillers without cash. The ladies in the pharmacy finally gave in to a third plea and gave J some painkillers. Which turned out to be tramadol - which made her zombie out. Better that way, though - beats pain any time.

One shoe lost each, it's better than losing a foot.

How bad the injuries would have been without wearing a jacket, backpack and helmet - I don't even dare to imagine.  There is no use to play game "what if" - but this accident totally changed our trip plans and took the adventure to next level.