I found and booked the ‘Sea Rock Inn’ on the Internet. It appealed because it was cheap and I suspect it is that way because of it’s location. It’s a bit out of downtown LA and I’m one of the few white dudes around. And English seems like a second language. It is mainly Hispanics and African Americans here, which makes it fascinating. I am in a real part of town. There is a massive freeway (and I mean bloody massive) just to the east, pawn (not porn) shops are everywhere and casinos seem to be on every block. Oh…and the stone fruit here are fantastic – plums like bowling balls (slight exaggeration, more like grapefruits) and sweat as!
I left Cairns with the tail of a flu. I was so sick back there that I considered delaying my flights out by a few days. I eventually recovered enough to continue with my plan and I am here now but still not at full health. The fluey symptoms gave subsided but a persistent stomachache and nausea have worsened. I’ve experienced these symptoms before. I feel weak, the discomfort is constant and I have lost all appetite for food…and coffee! It’s Giardiasis I think and the only treatment available is a course of prescribed drugs. Giardia is a parasitic protozoa that you can get from drinking contaminated water and is common in northern Queensland. It is common here to apparently. I have to fix this before I can continue so I spend the day finding a doctor and getting a script. It’s Saturday and the only doctor on duty is the local hospital emergency doctor. I was hoping I could easily convince them that I had giardiasis so I could get a prescription and be on my way. That turned into me being put on a drip, having several drugs administered and blood tested…then the doctor gave me the script I was after! After all that I hope I’m right about my symptoms and I will be fine in a few days.
angusmccoll 
Angus…..love reading your adventures and sorry to hear you have been sick. home the hospital visit didnt set you back $10,000!!
keep safe and healthy and have loads of fun on your adventures!!
Newstead
Hi Michelle, I hope my travel insurance will cover the bill as they are the ones getting it! It’s then up to them to decide whether they will pay – or charge me!
Hope you’re on the road to recovery and a returned appetite for least of all coffee! May have been the transition between FNQ and Indonesian water? What was the health service like compared to Oz?
Hi Alvin. The service was great, possibly too good. I think back and I now suspect there may be some deliberate overservicing going on knowing insurance will always cover the situation. They were quick to put me on a drip and administer drugs through that. Then-again, maybe they were just very thorough. Nice staff.