The part about his recent Tsunami is about what happened to all those divers/surfers and sunbathers. What a horrific experience. Imagine scuba diving and all of a sudden being sucked out to sea with all the coral rushing past you, and while you still have functioning scuba equipment, being unable to fathom what the hell is happening. A nightmarish experience I don't even want to contemplate.
Date: 12/27/04 19:52:21
Subject: Mr. Tsunami
Hello all:
Figured it would be easier to send out a mass email (I will answer everyone's as well in time).
Things have been a bit crazy and the pix look better than what it is like.
Where to began? I didn't even know there was a quake. I was at our dive shop teaching a course, I happened to be in the pool which was lucky for me. I was getting out of the pool with a student when all hell broke lose.
People came running by us screaming and yelling about a wall of water. I turned around and just saw water and water and water. The beach was gone, cars were being thrown over walls and motorbikes were being rushed down the streets.
Things subsided rather guickly but then the uncertainty sank in. Actually getting tired of the word aftershock!!!
Phi Phi Islands, Similans and most beaches are gone. If you own a hotel on the beach or restaurant you are gone. Our shop got hit hard, water rushed through the glass but everyone got out. Thankfully we are a dive shop so most of our stuff/inventory can be cleaned and dried off;-)
I walked away ok, only lost my phone (new one with same number before). I was pretty happy though I found both my sandals!! Anyway it was a lot more terrifiying and scary then I'm telling but all is well.
Sorting things out now. If you plan on visiting hold off a few months;-) Been in a lot of natural disasters but I'm pretty confident when I say I don't want to be seeing anymore 10 metre waves. Phuket was actually lucky we were so close otherwise things could of been A LOT worse (India/Maldives I think took the brunt of things).
Hopefully things get back to "normal" in a few weeks to a month at least routine wise because the tourists are gone. Thanks for the emails. I'll respond to everyone soon.