Well, it’s official, I have the weakest constitution I’ve ever encountered. Which translates into being the biggest baby-princess traveler ever and it drives me mad!

Ugh, that has made me chronically fatigued, a burn-out prone employee and a horrendous traveler…

I passed a physical prior to this trip and stand in the 27th percentile in terms or cardio. (Which is actually better than anticipated.)

So I have a weak heart. It shows! Just did a cycling tour where all we did was go downhill for 22 km, until there was an 8 km stretch of slight uphill. I finished it but… huffed and puffed and wheezed… Even the almost-flat ascent was a challenge! Balinese mothers who watched me struggled all laughed and thought I was hilarious, which frankly, it really was… The guide at the rear of the group baby-sat me the whole time, cycling in his flip flops with one hand holding the wheel and the other texting on his cell.

I’m the ONLY one of the group who struggled that much (save for one girl my age who abdicated near the end). I took more breaks than anybody, more than the 50 year-olds with a bit of a belly, more than everybody!

In addition, I slept entire days due to the heat and humidity, it’s like my body can’t thermoregulate or something.

And NOW, I have a gastric problem AGAIN! I have no idea how, I stayed at the best hotel, ate at the best restaurants, ALL to avoid specifically a stomach problem. I ordered Western food even when I wanted Balinese to mind the stomach, and it managed to hit me! Again!

Just like last year on my Turkey tour, similar but not identical symptoms. Same stupid fever, I’m emanating heat all over the place, through my forehead, fingers, everything is burning up save for my hair! ACK! It drives me mad.

Now that would be okay it I stayed in beautiful UBUD for longer BUT my Lombok tour is starting. It’s a budget tour on a little-developed island, with basic accomodations and non air-conditioned transport. There will be no Western food for my miserable stomach (just more of what caused the malaise). Bad conditions to be sick in, let’s say.

I’m tempted to skip the tour (though I’ve paid for it) but I think I want to try it. The guide has been forewarned and I’ll do everything to not be a baby vs. the rest of the group but ugh… I feel really weak.

Today, my stomach cramped in the middle of an art class, I limped bent in half and asked for a ride back, to the concern of locals nearby. (Flashback to the Balinese mothers watching me pedal uphill!)

Now, it’s too late to stock up but if stores open early tomorrow, I’ll try to grab some manufactured foods and the like.

I heard it was all in the mind. And there are of course, worst things than a tour of Lombok! And I’m sure Lombok will be worth it.

But HECK, if I did this trip to get to know myself, this is the official lesson.

- I’m physically very weak and cannot do even mildly strenuous exercise.

- I have trouble regulating my temperature. I’m sensitive to sunlight, heat and humidity.

- I have the most miserably sensitive stomach.

ARGH!

So anyway, I’ll try the tour, see how it goes. On one hand, this shouldn’t be too hard to survive with a little will power. On the other, this is my holiday. If I want to go home mid-tour, hopefully, our guide will be able to help with that.