Monday, July 9, 2012

the Measles that hit me

Here are the day-to-day account of my experience with this viral infection which I don't know (and wouldn't know) where did I got from..

Day 0 (Sunday) - The Start. After I took a bath on the evening, I immediately noticed some rashes on the body. I just disregarded them as a belief that they would soon fade away the next day.

Day 0 (Monday) - The Prelude. I went to the office and even played badminton with my office mates. At the shower room, I once again notice the spread of rashes from the body to my back and now up to my arms! I was already alarmed by this time and asked my fellows what possibly is it. I rejected the fact that it is measles since I already got one (German Measles) when I was in High School. So I went home hoping the fact that they are an allergy. By the way, this time I felt feverish but paracetamol just took that away easily.

Day 1 (Tuesday) - The Revelation. I woke up really hot, my temperature then was 39.3C. Everyone panicked in the house as this is almost near 40C. I then immediately took Acetaminophen (650mg) to reduce my fever, as we ran out of paracetamol in the house and it was early morning. I head back to sleep right after and after 2 hours I was like bathing on my sweat! Wow, that medicine is really effective! Feeling much better and with the claim of Acetaminophen of 8 hours effectivity, I agreed to go to see a doctor. From there, I had a confirmation that I have measles. Yes, but no. It has been brought out to my knowledge that Measles (also known a Rubeola) is different from German Measles (aka Rubella); the former being the worse. No medicine or cure for it, only paracetamol to maintain the fever low; and lots and lots of water intake - 3 to 4 liters of water a day. And the good news for me, I would be in bed rest for one week! It ain't a vacation but indeed it is an escape from work with pay!

Day 2-3 (Wednesday to Thursday) - The Climb to the Climax. The next two days were literally boring! I had fever which doesn't lower to 39C (usually at 39.5C, the maximum also). I just usually go to sleep whenever I feel to. I can't watch TV for long and can't even stare since it would just worsen my dizziness. But with all these, luckily, I can eat by myself, I can walk alone, and weirdly, I don't feel hot at all and would wonder "how in the world my fever is that high?!" Lastly, on these days, the rashes continue to invade my whole body - from my scalp to my feet, literally everywhere! They were not itchy after all, thankfully! So I was really red on these days.

Day 4 (Friday) - The Improvement and the Setbacks. Finally my fever went down to lower 38C and generally felt nothing at all. I was now able to use laptop again, and can stare at the TV longer. Also saw some rashes starting to turn into brown, which is the phase before disappearing. But also on this day I started feeling aches on my muscles joints - wrists, elbows, knees and ankles.

Day 5-6 (Saturday to Sunday) - The Healing. I went back to the doctor to check on my cough which started last Thursday and to complain my muscle aches. Well, I really don't like how that doctor explains; anyways, the muscles pains were just normal as I am ill affecting my whole body. Now, majority of my rashes are turning brown and noticeably some are disappearing already. Plus, my dry hard cough eventually subsides after the intake of the medicine my doctor advised.

Day 6-7 (Monday to Tuesday) - The Finale. My muscle joints are back to normal and my skin started to clear again! It feel so normal now but haven't go back to work yet as I'm still contagious due to the (still) presence of some rashes. Hopefully, within the day all of these will clear up and will leave no scars...

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Baler, Aurora Itinerary

I think this would be one of my cheapest trip to date. It was a trip an over the weekend trip wherein we left Manila by Friday midnight and back by Sunday evening. It only damaged my savings Php3000 (all-in). It was an enduring approximately 7 hours of road travel from Manila; which included both zigzags, rough and steep roads. Well, all these had been paid of with what you will see on this hidden town east of Luzon.

Here are the photos and our travel itinerary...

Upon checked-in at our resort (AMCO Beach Resort), they have their accredited tricycles for tour. We hired one tricycle (good for 3 persons originally but we were allowed to up to four) for Php500 each to take us on tour to Mother Falls and Balete Park good for 6hours.


They were kind enough to drop us on the Museo de Baler which is on the way to the falls and is on the town proper central.
Museo de Baler
Museo de Baler
former President Manuel Quezon's Presidential Car
former President Manuel Quezon's Presidential Car

After a short stay at the park, we headed on trek to Mother Falls which is about few kilometers away from Baler. It was a bumpy and rocky road on the way to the top so I'm afraid bringing your own cars/vans here since you would surely regret it. And from the vehicle station, you still have to trek on foot for about 45mins to the falls.
trek to Mother Falls, San Luis, Aurora
pipeline from the falls to generate power
trek to Mother Falls, San Luis, Aurora
you'll truly feel the nature as you trek your way on top
trek to Mother Falls, San Luis, Aurora
mini falls before the mother, better call this as the Son Falls
Mother Falls, San Luis, Aurora
Mother Falls, San Luis, Aurora
Mother Falls, San Luis, Aurora
very shallow cold water, ideal for swimming

After the falls, we ate lunch then went to the Balete Park in Ma. Aurora, Aurora where you can find the 600 year old Balete tree that has a circumference of about 52 persons.

Balete Park, Ma. Aurora, Aurora
the 600 year old Balete tree
Balete Park, Ma. Aurora, Aurora
inside the Balete tree
Baler, Aurora tricycle tours and itinerary
list of tours I saw on our tricycle, there's still so much to explore!
That two tours already made  us tired. So the next day it was a visit to the Sabang Beach! Notice the beach is surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains, amazingly beautiful!

Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora
Sabang Beach, Baler, Aurora

I also tried surfing for the first time. I only cost me Php350 for an hour; this includes surfboard rental and an instructor, my friend was also lent with rash guard for free.

I won't have double thoughts going back to this place. Surely I still have lots missed!

Before I end, I want to recommend Chef Gerry Shan's Place. It's a buffet for only Php150 (both on food and iced tea!). Truly a great deal and their menu are great and plenty!

Chef Gerry Shan's Place, Baler, Aurora
Chef Gerry Shan's Place