A few notes on Day 5 ...
Day 5 is the first COVID test. They do nasal swab and throat swab, not saliva test. This is the third country I've gotten this test done in and ... Thailand doesn't screw around with this. They go for speed and for as much depth as they can possibly get. They didn't quite make it but it sure felt like they were going for the back of the skull when they shot that thing up my nose. I've got a phobia around this and am terrified of things penetrating my body (ironic for this website, I know), whether that be needles, swabs, whatever. HK was completely different experience and even though the same nasal swab, was fair less invasive. Be prepared for an uncomfortable experience if you've not done this before.
I had no issues with past tests, but my body didn't take this too well. I got a big headache, was dizzy and on the verge of vomiting. I was about to call into the doctor to let them know something was up, but just then the hospital called me (a couple hours after the test). I didn't know this call was coming, so got a bit concerned that meant a positive test. Apparently this is just part of the process. Normal doctor/patient conversation around travel history, health history, allergies, COVID vaccination yes/no, flu vaccination yes/no, etc. I asked if the nasal swab could have this impact on patients or whether we should be concerned that I was showing any leading indicators and she let me know that it do this to some patients given how unpleasant of a test it is.
Test results take 24 hours, so I'll know tomorrow ... at which point (assuming negative), I'll be able to move to the next phase of ASQ. The allows for housecleaning and a hour long visit to the gym / relaxation area to get out of the room.
If anyone's making the trip soon, shoot me a note on hotel. Similar to above post, I'm going to withhold full judgment until I'm done and even then likely wouldn't name the hotel in a forum, but the amount of penny pinching that can go on can get out of hand. Today, the batteries in their own remote control died ... and they told me I'd need to order my own replacements. I know revenue had been down due to lack of travelers, but .........
Finally, a stupid personal comment ... I'm starting to realize that the anticipation of amazing Thai food is almost as hard to deal with as the anticipation of any other activities ... even sub-standard (by local standards) hotel food is dripping with flavor that you just don't find in Thai restaurants elsewhere. Not sure what my first post-ASQ activity should be at this point  | |
