Malaysian Nights

Mosquitoes must be one of the worst things about living in the tropics.

The word that comes to mind: RELENTLESS.

The same damn mosquito mind you, just one can keep you up all night.

11.30pm: Spot it flying around. Switch on Vape* - go to bed in the comfort of its poisonous protection.

1.00am: Vape has worn off. Mosquito has bitten 3 spots on right leg and 2 on left arm. Too damn sleepy to get up and replace the Vape mat. Scratch like mad and cocoon self in blanket - hah! There’s no where to bite now.

3.00am: Mosquito bites ankle and baby toe. Also dive-bombs a sting on earlobe. That's it. Get up, switch on the bedside light. Offer bare arms up as 'bait' and wait for it to strike. Come on! It's war now.

3.30am: It does not come. They must be smarter than we give them credit for. Damn it! Sleep beckons. I have less endurance than an insect. Must never enlist for war.

5.00am: It strikes AGAIN. Surprised it managed to find fresh skin surface at all. Almost pleading now..only 3 more hours till 8! Give me a break! Turn around to scratch, then..I see it. It’s gotten slow, gorged and fat. Oblivious of its impending doom.

SLAP. I am a little disappointed to see so little blood spilt. Surely there’s more to show for a whole night of listless dreams and itching, itching, itching.

I am resigned. Sleep now. The enemy is gone.

* Vape: By Fumakilla. Slip in a Vape Mat, switch electricity on, heat releases d-allethrin (40mg/mat apparently) which keeps mozzies away. Probably not the best for human inhalation as well, but I’ll take my chances.