We finished the drilling campaign in Myanmar and got back to Yangon town. Back then the global Covid-19 cases were slightly over 1mil. We had a bet as to when would be the earliest the cases hit 1mil, I won the bet. The curve just shot up exponentially. When we headed out to the rig, things were pretty much under control. After a month, the world economic engine ground to a halt. Many countries have implemented lockdown and airports have been shut.
Back in town, we checked in the 8mile hotel. Couldn't head off to China Town for seafood BBQ and beers as a celebration of a job well done, which we normally would. We had some fun drinking and partying in the hotel restaurant. Quick adaptation, wasn't it. There were ~15 of us from the same companies. What a gathering! The international airport has been shut down. We continued to stay until further notice.
From my team, 3 Indonesian crews left to Jakarta the earliest among us via South Korea. One of them tested positive on the Rapid test, and then tested negative with the Swab test one week later. Haiz, causing us unnecessary stress. Then the Thai crews left via land. Eventually left only 2 Malaysian + 1 SG + 1 Kazakh. There was no strict lockdown in Yangon, but we avoided going outside unnecessarily. The number of Covid-19 cases reported in Myanmar is pretty insignificant, but we know it was because there were very little tests done.
At first, I got kind of lost as to how to get through the days. Concurrent with the Covid-19 crisis, the oil price was also crash terribly. At one point in time, it turned negative for April's future. Without a doubt, there would be RIF and we are also concerned about getting laid off. After adjusting and adapting, it's not bad after all. The key lies in *Stop worrying and start doing something*. Finally, there was a relief flight straight to KL, after close to a month of confined stay in Yangon. It costs 300USD each and we had to wait in line for 5 hours in the Myanmar airline office to buy the tickets. WTF.
At the airport, we saw 2 stranded girls crying, and rubbing the tears with hands. Most likely they are on personal trips, used up their money. And it's taboo rub the eyes. Not good. The plane we took to come home, it was at 100% capacity. Being paranoid, I skipped the flight meal so I could have my face mask on at all times.
Upon arrival at KLIA, we were swabbed, escorted to Pulse Grand Hotel. it's the smoothest traffic I had ever been in, didn't even stop at traffic lights. It used to be a 5-star hotel as per Google. We were confined to our own hotel room for 14 days, given 3 meals a day. It's no other than a luxury prison. The food was as good as compared to what we got in 8mile Hotel. 2 weeks have gone by, I'm leaving prison today.
What did I do to survive all this? 6 weeks isolation, or so to speak.
1. Complete all the company online e-learning courses
2. Try to learn some Spanish, failed
3. Try to learn some Python programming, failed
4. Work out and gain 6 packs finally, hope to stay in shape.
*I have always tried to work out inconsistently to get 6 packs, but no success.
5. Learn technical analysis and candle chart, good progress.
*If you do something you are passionate about, you have a better chance to see results.
6. Trade KLSE, gain 1k.
7. Watch a lot of youtube videos, CNBC, documentaries etc.
8. Watch some movies.
I'm ready for post Covid-19 new norm.
