News From Phi Phi Island
This was my second return to the island since the Tsunami hit on December 26th. The first time was very personal and emotional and was my way of saying goodbye to Rubes. This time I returned to the island to see whether we can take part in the rebuilding of the lives of the Thai people that were so affected by this wave. I met with two French men that were recommended to me by several people as good contacts. We had a good meeting and decided to meet again on the 30th of March. As it turns out these two fellows also lost people close to them during the Tsunami. They are both very active within the Thai community and delvering aid to people that need it in an effective way. I'm optimistic that we may be able to work togeather on something.
I also encountered someone that Rubina and I both spent time with the day before the Tsunami. The owner of The Adventure Club, on Koh Phi Phi, had taken us out on a daytrip to visit some beaches, snorkel and watch our last sunset togeather. He also video recorded the whole trip for us. Right away I had asked about this tape. Apparently he does have it, but back at his home in Phuket. I will be in contact with him to retrieve this tape if at all possible. I'm hopeful . That day was full of good memories and I want to see her again. I have to go ..........I'm off to eat some Thai food with some Swiss and Thai friends..
posted by Mike @ 7:44 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Michael,
I can't believe you are back there, I don't think I could do it. I was with your sister on the hotel rooftop that day. We were lucky enough to get on the first boat outta there at about 1.20am the next day after camping out with our new-found roof top family, apparently you turned up on the same rooftop just after we'd gone. You knew that she was oK but we had no idea about you. We stuck together with Aurellio, Barry and Scott my boyfriend. The hospital seemed safe so we stayed and rested for a while, the staff were so kind to us. Christine started that whole photo pin board thing at the hospital. Her poaster was the very first one I saw then a few hours later there were hundreds. She is a beautiful person and I am glad that I met her. I recieved a mail from Barry (our Irish roof top brother) today which got me to do a google search on Christine. I must say, I am so sorry to hear about Rubina, this must be a terrible time for you. I only had a few moments of not knowing wheather my boyfriend had made it, he was OK though and we were re-united after only a few minutes. We ran up the mountain, literally running for our lives and doing rock climbing that we could hardly get down from. Any seasoned climber would have been proud that we got that far with bare feet. When the water reeceded I called his name but there was so much noise, I thought he was right behind me but I had no relply for about 4 shouts. I can't imagine coming home alone as you had to. Please tell me about Phi Phi in detail, I really want to know how the place looks and how it's people are doing, there was a Thai man called Deng on the top of the Phi Phi hotel with us, we looked down on his thatched house just benieth (the only one that looked whole) as he told us his life story. The house seemed to have been lifted by the water and moved as the alleys were narrower than before. He didn't know if his family were OK and he, like us, did not want to go down. He was one of the islands more fortunate and wealthy inhabitants, he had huge speedboats and yauchts and several homes I think. It's a blur right now but I know he was a lovely man and that his name was Deng. did many trees survive? I heard that any that were still standing were poisened by diesel and salt water, is this true? Are the Thai's going to build on that sandbar again or build more cautiously closer to the hills? Is anywhere even open again for the tourists? I know mostly it was non-permanent structures and that these can be knocked up again but opur bungalow was so beautifully done with top luxurious interior even though the outside was woven grasses and wood. What are you going to do out there? Are you helping? I know someone who was distributing hammers and nails, ect. Is there any aid like this getting through? It was good to see your news today and read your posted messages, although I have never met you it is nice to see your progress. Take care. Jo Lindley (Salisbury, England) PS - Have a Thom Yum soup for me and tease me with just how good it tastes! Maybe I'll see you when I visit Vancouver someday.
Hello Jo,
Over half the island has been wiped out by the wave or bulldozed. There is a lot of people out there right now volunteering to help with small construction projects. But the real big work has yet to begin. Officially the Thai government is not letting people go back to the island and they could stop the small amount of construction that is going on now at anytime. There is a lot of uncertainty but a lot of good people are trying their best.
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