We are safe
Trip Start
Jul 26, 2004
1
13
23
Trip End
May 31, 2005
Bangkok,
Thailand
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Despite being away from the epicentre of the disaster, like you we have been deeply affected by the tragedy. Just recently we were in the parts of Malaysia that were worst hit in that country by the tsunamis. As we mentioned in our previous entry, the Malaysians were amongst the finest people we have met so far, and it is heartbreaking to think that some of the people we met and care about have been hurt, are homeless, or much worse. We were also really struck by how many families and small children were visiting the region due to the holiday season, and tragically they were the ones that were down at the beach at that time of day. We hope that the people who were so nice to us are safe, well and will not have much in the way of financial hardship. What a disaster! As the news from SE Asia keeps getting worse and the death toll rises we find if anything it renews our resolve to keep traveling and help out where we can. We have donated blood, as that seems pretty much all we can do at the moment. We will continue to look for ways to help, and urge all of you to do the same.
Bangkok is a big, busy city that keeps on moving, however we have noticed a dark cloud above it. The internet cafes are packed with people sending home notes to their loved ones, and Thais and foreigners alike are huddled around TV sets watching the latest updates on the news. We have met people who have come from the affected regions or who had plans to be there shortly. All are physically well, however somewhat traumitized.
As of now our travel plans aren't changing much, with the exception of our planned trip to Koh Phi Phi at the end of our stay in SE Asia. I don't think they will have recovered by then. Fortunately, we have heard back from all of our friends that we knew were in the affected areas. Lisa Foran, who works in Bangkok, but was vacationing on the islands, has been stranded for a couple of days, but is otherwise fine. We are also meeting up with Lloyd Balme for New Year's Eve, as he was able to make it back from the gulf safe and sound. Dani and Nicole are also safe as they had not left yet for Penang.
Again, thank you for your kind wishes. We hope that everyone we've met during our travels is also safe. We wish all of you a healthy, safe and happy New Year.
Regular travelogue updates will continue later on this week...
All the best,
Chris and Lara
