Ashley King, a Canadian teenager, has shared her terrifying travel experience in Bali to warn others about the hidden dangers of unregulated alcohol in Southeast Asia. What began as a dream holiday in August 2011 quickly turned into a nightmare that left her temporarily blind and fighting for her life.
At just 18 years old, Ashley flew to Bali with friends to enjoy the tropical paradise before starting university. While the island’s stunning beaches and vibrant culture seemed perfect, she couldn’t shake a feeling of unease. Unfortunately, her instincts were right. During her trip, she experienced theft, illness, and discomfort, but the real danger came on her final night, when she unknowingly drank a toxic cocktail.
The drink, served in a plastic water bottle marketed as “spill-proof for dancing,” was laced with methanol, a highly toxic substance sometimes illegally added to alcohol in Southeast Asia to cut costs. Methanol poisoning is a serious and life-threatening risk for travellers in regions where alcohol regulations are lax.
Initially, Ashley didn’t notice anything unusual. “The drink didn’t taste or feel any different,” she told Inside Edition. But the next day, after flying to New Zealand, she began experiencing alarming symptoms. Fatigue, loss of appetite, and disorientation set in. Soon after, she noticed she was losing her vision. “At first, I thought the lighting in my room was dim, but then I realised I couldn’t see,” she recalled. Her breathing also became laboured, and she was rushed to the hospital.
Doctors in New Zealand were puzzled at first, suspecting recreational drug use. However, tests revealed high levels of methanol in her system. Unlike ethanol, the type of alcohol typically found in drinks, methanol is highly toxic and metabolises into chemicals that damage organs and make the blood acidic. Methanol poisoning can cause blindness, organ failure, and death if not treated quickly.
The hospital team acted fast, using an unusual but effective treatment: ethanol therapy. By consuming ethanol (the safe, consumable type of alcohol), the body’s absorption of methanol is slowed, preventing further damage. “The doctors gave me pure alcohol mixed with orange juice and told me to drink it as fast as I could,” Ashley explained. “It was like playing the most surreal drinking game of my life.”
To Ashley’s relief, the treatment worked. “The more I drank, the better I felt. My breathing improved, and my vision gradually returned. I went from complete darkness to recognising light and seeing my doctors again,” she said. Despite the progress, her condition was so critical that doctors urged her family in Canada to fly to New Zealand, fearing she might not survive.
Ashley’s ordeal is a stark reminder of the potential dangers of travelling to regions where alcohol can be contaminated. Methanol poisoning remains a significant risk for tourists in places like Bali, as unregulated alcohol is sometimes served in bars and clubs.
To stay safe, travellers should avoid drinks served in suspicious containers, be cautious of extremely cheap alcohol, and stick to reputable establishments. Ashley’s story is a sobering lesson for anyone planning to visit Southeast Asia or other destinations where alcohol safety may be a concern.
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If you’re travelling abroad, stay vigilant and educate yourself about risks like methanol poisoning to ensure your trip remains safe and enjoyable.
