Exactly Pakjohn. But still different people react differently. My friends lived in Jakarta for 10 years, never drank the water, never got sick. Went back last month and got very sick, they were careful, but not careful enough.pakjohn wrote:I don't think it demeaning and I don't think it's meant as an indictment against the people. In the example of Lombok or Bali, the water contains impurities not found in Singapore water, our immune systems see these as a threat and cause the normal symptons. I generally brush my teeth with the water but I'm careful, even in the 5 star hotels in Indo, not to drink tap water, use the ice or even eat raw vegetables. I lived in Indo for almost a year, and after the first month of being sick, got used to the food and had no more problems. (I could even drink the tap water, but rarely did)I find that advice is a bit overboard for Bali or Lombok... especially if you're staying at 5 star hotels there. I would say those are okay. RNT, have you even ever tried? Or it's just an overzealous overparanoid advice? I'm sure it's something other than eating at the hotel that you do that gets you the poisoning, and I find your tone is a bit demeaning.
While the 5 star hotel kitchens and food storage may be more sanitary, the water still comes from the same place. If you're only going to be a few days even a couple weeks, save yourself a bit of discomfort and avoid the water, ice, and raw veggies.
Dimwit Kid, is it worth ruining your entire vacation for a piece of fruit only to have to sleep on the bathroom floor for 3 days? Put simply, even at 5 star hotels, the fruits and vegetables come from fields where there are little or no sanitary conditions. Human excrement is therefore part of the equation. Didn't you read further in the thread? Most of our party got food poisoning in Lombok, a child was hospitalized.
Ozchick, I've stayed at the Four Seasons at Jimbaran Bay 2 or 3 times, the Hyatt, the Intercon, little no name '2 stars' in Kuta and Ubud, private villas and never got sick -- but I say 'no ice please' and don't eat any raw food unless it's been peeled. It's fine for a few days. All you can do is hedge your bets.
I got very, very sick in Nepal, but luckily it was after we returned to Kathmandu, after our trek to base camp. I would have missed the trip of a lifetime... Just not worth it.
Anyone?
