Day 4

Good day. Finally got a chance to see Phuket City and venture along the west side of the island. That is where the greatest tsunami damage was. It was a day of exploration more than anything really.

After driving past Phuket City, we saw this tower on a hill, so we drove to it. You can see all around the south parts of Phuket from the top.








We found a little hole in the wall place to eat. Really, most places here are little hole in the walls so you can feel good about the money that you give to people because it goes immediately to support their families.

The Thai make a beer called Singha, so I had to try some.




Mmm. We also had some chicken, fish and rice. Then for desert: papaya. Mmm.


We met a couple at lunch who told us about several key places to see about the tsunami's effects: Patong Beach (think Waikiki), Bang Thao, and a small village north of Surin Beach. So we went to all three places.

Most of Patong was already built back up. I guess that is the nature of a place that derives so much of its revenue from tourism. Grabbed some fruit for an afternoon snack. We have eaten so much fresh fruit. This time, we ate a yellow-colored watermelon.




We then headed up further north and saw some disturbing stuff. I plan to post a video once we are home. But for now, just some photos...

A small memorial on top of a sunken palm tree on Bang Thao Beach...


The foundation remains, but the rest was swept away...


Remnants of boat stuff high in the trees...


It's so sad how much the post-tsunami lack of tourism is affecting the area...


A hut that was sandwiched between the ocean and a cliff...



For an afternoon snack, we stopped at a little cafe on the beach. No one was there. It was also pouring down rain. Beautiful. We had a chance to talk to our sever(s). They looked bored to tears. We got to hear some stories about the tsunami in broken English. Half of the Sheraton Hotel staff on this beach were killed apparently. Wow.

Holly and I talked alot today. We talked about how we felt guilty that we weren't like building a house today or something else that was amazing. Truth be told, we were on our own today, and the best we could think to do was survey the damage, see the island. We talked at great length about moving out here. We are really considering a longer term trip this summer if we would prove helpful. I think we have found some connection with the sea gypsies, but we shall see.

I am also seeing the dire need to channel monies back into the economy by tourism. We have been trying to tip ridiculous amounts since most servers out here must be hurting... most of those in the tourist industry must be... So those whom I critiqued earlier before we left are perhaps more saintly than I gave them credit. Tourism is a tricky thing, but I guess any service-oriented industry can be. All that to say, if you were wanting to come to an amazingly beautiful place that is very tropical and friendly, please consider Phuket. It is so inexpensive once you get here. Housing for like $10-30/night and food for like $10-15/day.

Please continue to pray for us as we go tomorrow to the resettlement camps and then to find a technician to help rebuild the boat of the gypsies.