just thinking out loud

This is rather one day late. I completely forgot about it until I realized what date it is today. Four years ago, I went to Phuket with my colleagues to do a-carolling. We were helping the church raise fund for the orphanage. There were only five resorts and hotels that were assigned for us to perform to. It was also my first time to go to Phuket after about three years in Thailand.

Christmas eve, that was Friday, we went to those resorts and hotels assigned for us. Garbed with a white gown with red vest, we do looked like traditional carolers. There were so much fun. Mostly foreigners were our audiences and in every place there was a Santa Claus who gave out confectioneries to kids right after our performances.

I think it was the third place we went to where a band was performing when we arrived and the vocalist was currently singing “Tragedy”. I thought it was rather inappropriate to sing that song on a Christmas eve. Anyway, the fourth place we went to was a resort by the beach called Patong Beach Resort. The stage was built just a few meters from the sea we could hear the sea breeze. And then we went to our final destination–a beerhouse atop the hill. The owner, who was British, couldn’t stop his tears when we sang “Silent Night”. I know it’s such a sweet song that brings back old memories–memories that are tear-jerker.

In all of the places we went we sang “We wish you a merry Christ…”

The next day, Saturday, we went back to Patong area and watched the sunset. The beaches were full of happy people enjoying the sun, the sea, and the sand.

Sunday, 26th December 2004, we were so excited. There were plans to go to James Bond Island, or at least back to Patong Beach to enjoy the view. But our tour guides took us to a remote beach in an island west of Phuket. We were so disappointed and were complaining all the time. A few hours later, the water went away the men had to push the boat back into the water. I was standing under a small tree and all of a sudden the water came to me up to my knee. Confused and bemused by what happened, my friend said it was a flash flood or a tidal wave. But I shrugged it off because there was no giant wave on sight. Then a man from the other side of the island came and was taking pictures. We asked what was happening. He said that there was an earthquake, Phuket is flooded and many people have died. Upon hearing that I felt a warm air like a blanket wrapped me and I burst in tears as things flashed into my frontal lobe. I imagined the scene the day before. The happy people on the beach sunbathing and children playing in the sand. Suddenly a giant wave flashed them into the sea. It was a thought I couldn’t bear to imagine. Undeniably, I felt God’s hand guiding us through.

Anyway, events turned to panicking as we all ran uphill because the water level kept rising. Luckily the island was hilly. We wanted to get back to the boats but they were too far now and the water was getting high. Suddenly, the water disappeared again and we all haste to get to the boat. On the way back the floating restaurants were destroyed and we could see the troubled water because the sand was stirred.

As soon as we got back on the pier, we noticed some planks of woods were already dislocated because of the impact of the waves and part of the pier was already under water. People were flocked at the dock curious about our safety.  I was still trembling and crying in fear. Earlier I and my friend planned to meet somewhere in the beach. But because we were in an unknown island I didn’t get a chance to meet her. I was calling her but the lines were always busy. I was afraid that she went to the beach to wait for me and got caught by the wave. Then I heard someone shouted at us to get in the van. The people at the dock were also running away for safety. There was a second wave and it was much bigger than the first. Good thing it didn’t come while we were on the boat, otherwise, it would have burried us into the sea. Well, in our part of the island there was no big wave but we saw the water went higher.

We left the place at once and headed back to Bangkok. On the way we met some other vans apparently holiday makers who might not have heard about the disaster that had just occured. Too bad their holiday was spoiled but more on a blessing because they escaped the tragedy. Oh yea, remember the song in one of the hotels we went caroling? But I was more guilty when I remembered what we sang to them, “Good tidings we bring to you and your kin. Good tidings of Christmas and a happy new year.” 

On the way back to Bangkok, I wanted to text my mother what had happened and that they didn’t have to worry because I was safe with God’s help. But I thought that it might make them worry at the thought of the tsunami. My cousin who was in Bangkok called me when were half-way and again I cried as I told him how we escaped the tragedy. About twelve hours after leaving Phuket, we arrived in Bangkok at around 11 pm. Back in my apartment alone but safe, I cried again before dozing off.