Saturday, March 26, 2005

Just Arrived in Phuket

On the plane down to Phuket, I read an article about a group of volunteers working on PhiPhi doing construction and cleaning up the local beaches, and reefs. I also ran into a few American and French tourists , it seems like many people are not detered from coming here to enjoy their vacation. It seems a bit awkward for some when i tell them what happened and why im here and what we are doing. Maybe they feel they shouldn't be here vacationing. But in reality it's really good that people keep coming as it is the livelihood of the Thai people down here.

I'm planning to take the boat over to phiphi in the next day or two with a friend and see if we can offer a hand in the reconstruction. I figure while Im there I should get a good idea of whether we will be able to deliver aid directly to the island through financial assistance. In addition to this I'm going to be in contact with the Canadian Embassy and various other Aid agencies trying to figure out how we can help. It feels good to be here. I know for a fact that often what you hear back home and overseas is almost always very different from what is actually happening on the ground. Wish me luck......It's late I'm going up the street to see if i can get some pub grub for dinner.....thats all thats open now.

3 Comments:

At 8:14 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Mike,

Good to hear that that you made it safe and sound to Phuket. It will be most interesting to hear about the progress that they are making on Phi Phi and to find out what kind of financial aid we can provide them. Take care of yourself while you are down there.

Iris

 
At 1:47 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi, Mike,
Finally I figured out how friendster works...I don't really check this site often. I will from now on. Anyway, I read some of your articles. Very glad you are doing all these for Rubina and everyone else who needs help. Keep everyone posted and good luck in Thailand. Take care.

Phoebe

 
At 8:39 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was glad to find your blog and your work in honour of Rubina. I live Surrey, near Vancouver and when I heard about your search it inspired me to go to the websites in Thailand and join the searchers and I have been there ever since, now a volunteer for thaicareyou, which has a database and a search engine.
I love what you are doing in Rubina's honour and I sincerely hope that the attention of the world community will convince the thai authorities to do right by the local people who lost so much and responded with love and compassion for the strangers in their land.

 

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