I was recently in Thailand, and was on the island that was the worst hit there: Phuket Island. A couple of the photos in my portfolio are of the island.
I believe this is the actual area of the island that was hit.
It's a beautiful island. It wasn't hit quite as hard as some of the other countries, but there was still some loss of life, and many injured.
I did meet some really nice people while I was there, and I'm kind of worried about them. They live inland, but easily could have been on the beach or something. I will be able to find out if they are fine, and will report.
I also hope Manny wasn't anywhere near the disaster. Or any other DPCer's.
We were all horrified to hear this terrible news. All those voices - all those hopes and dreams silenced.
I feel terrible.
My thoughts and prayers are with them all, and for all those waiting by the phone.
God rest their souls.
Very bad news with an untold death toll and the general upheavel of millions and their lives and drinking water. A very depressing event whose final outcome is not yet reported.
Yep, I called both Male', Maldives and Colombo, Sri Lanka yesterday and my family and my girlfriend's family are ok. The report about 2/3 of Male', capital of Maldives, being under water is not really accurate. But the quake was even felt in Male' and my eldest brother was in the toilet around 6:30am local time and he ran out because the building started shaking. The waves came in sometime later.
There's no communication with some islands in the Maldives, so there's no news.
edit: The airport is not in Male' althogh it's called Male' International Airport. It's in another island called Hulhule, which is very close to Male'.
Yep, I called both Male', Maldives and Colombo, Sri Lanka yesterday and my family and my girlfriend's family are ok. The report about 2/3 of Male', capital of Maldives, being under water is not really accurate. But the quake was even felt in Male' and my eldest brother was in the toilet around 6:30am local time and he ran out because the building started shaking. The waves came in sometime later.
There's no communication with some islands in the Maldives, so there's no news.
Glad to hear at least that much "good" news under the circumstances. Our hearts are all with you and all those hit.
Sri Lanka was one of the worst hit areas by the tidal waves.
Now latest reports are saying that 10,029 bodies have been recoverd so far.
Even a prison was smashed to bits and 200 hardened criminals including terrorists are either missing or dead.
Yesterday My father, myself and a few others went along the coastal areas visiting all the temples - giving out food parcels and some other dry rations.
But once we got there we found that lots of people had come and helped them and given them food and water.
The only problem for these people are finding places to stay.
The victims are now staying in temples.
Most of the people living in the coastal regions are catholic- they were telling us that when they ran to the churches for help and a place to stay - the churches were locked up and nobody would let them in.
All the people in Sri Lanka are now helping these families.
About 4 or 5 people known to our family have been killed by this disater.
I have put up some images I took last night as we visited the temples in the night.
I couldnt go during the day time because roads were closed.
The whole country is helping these poor unfortunate people.
If I were in Thailand, I would be very far from Phuket Islands too. I had been to phuket thrice and yes, it is a very beautiful islands. Hotel facilities there are just fabulous. Apart from the loss of lives, I suppose damages in properties are also enormous. The grandson of the King of Thailand was also one of the fatalities.
I am here now in the Philippines and will be back to Thailand next week. I know some of my co-teachers and students were planning to go to Phuket...I didn't bother to find out (so as not to derail my Christmas mood, in a way). I will know by then.
But more than anything else, I am so touched by the major concern of DPCers about us. It is truly heartwarming and impressively genuine. DPC is not just a venue to learn more about photography....it is also a very CARING community.
Actually, early this month, there was a massive landslide that happened in the philippines and over 10,00 people perished. I was in Bangkok then.
Anyway, Merry Christmas to everyone. And for the many e-mails I received checking about my whereabouts, thanks for the concern. I am well-alive and kicking.
