C with her family have planned a trip to the Phuket Island for their last school vacation break and have asked me whether I would tagged along..I have never been to Phuket all my life, even though currently I am living 'so near' .. and on top of it, as Air Asia had such affordable offer, and excitingly I said yes..why not??
I must confessed, even just a few days before the departure, I was in this forbier of not going, trying desperately to find a solution of finding a replacement. Then looking at the conditions of the ticket I have bought was not possible..I just wanted to call off the trip, giving the excuse I couldn't go..
Last year, I had the similar reaction when visiting Saigon - Vietnam with my son..The thought of going to Vietnam just wasn't my cup of tea..The Vietnam War.. I thought the left over 'war zones', what is there to see..?? The devastated country, faces of these poor soul, the handicaps, the tanks, the massive graves..Just couldn't bear the thoughts..
You see, I had the opportunity of visiting the refugee camp in Kuala Lumpur during the 1970's while working with the UNHCR..My job was to send the refugees to the countries of acceptance.. I was very lucky then, especially I didn't have any problems of qualified the visitation of the Refugee Camp.
Finally the day came. I was chauffeured driven with one of my colleagues.. Remember, this is a restricted zone. Not everybody nor anyone was allowed to enter a refugee camp.
The Vietnamese in the Refugee Camp were so happy to see me. I remembered I was introduced to the person in charged. I wondered sometimes that brought back the memory was it because I was a woman, an outsider, looked like them; approachable and have no problem connecting with them..They were and wanted so desperate to tell and inform me what was happening. Without any hesitation, a woman took my hand and lead me to her bunk bed- sitting together with many others, being surrounded with men, women, children of all ages.. The conversation started without any introductions. They told and shown me their lives as boat-people..It was all in Vietnamese language, some Chinese dialects, it was all jumbled up..there was the body language..
Trying to have a conversation was the very difficult..There were tears..a woman was holding my hands while crying..and another one was trying to tell me to help her..telling me she has lost her home and family..
The experiences of the above had certainly make a great impact of my life. What is it to be a refugee and what is life in the refugee camp. You simply cannot imagine the tremendous pain they bear, physical and mentally..they have gone through..there is no words one can describe..
Eventually, after a long persuasion, I agreed to visit Vietnam with my son!
I could not imagine nor frankly speaking what to expect of Phuket..The devastation, the fear and sorrowful of visiting Phuket left , me speechless..
I need to visit Phuket for myself.. after 9 years..there was and still is so much about the tragic of tsunami. Mind you, there is the Tsunami movie 'The Impoosible' is currently available.
With open hearted, the trip was for 3 days and 2 nights...
With sun, sand and tom yam [Thai famous spicy food..], it was alright..
I have taken some photos of 'Life in Phuket after Tsunami'.
Apparently, life goes on. Nobody seems to talk about it unless spoken and asked to.. It is sad and tragic; but I am glad I went.
After having checked in the hotel, immediately we booked in a round Phuket Island tour which took us totally about 3 hours.
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| Our first stop from the beautiful sight of Phuket Island from Karon Bay |
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| At the Karon Beach, there was this 'parrot' awaiting for some pictures taken with. |
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| The Magnificent Buddhist Temple at Chalong Bay. |
At Chalong Bay in Phuket, one of the magnificent attractions is the Wat Chalong (Buddhist temple at Chalong). All Buddha figures are covered in gold. The temple is opened from 9am to 5pm. Before entering the temple, you need to remove your shoes or sandals. Please do not wear expensive footwear, you will risk of being stolen. And not to forget, when entering a Buddhist Templar, no matter where it would be, especially for the ladies, with due respect, remember, do not expose yourself too much. Usually at the entrance of the temples, there is always a female door guard, where she will be distributing a shawl to cover yourself before entering.
But, over all an advice to the ladies, no matter where you are, travelling in the South East Asia countries, I would strongly recommend ladies cover yourself with short sleeves and round collar; and no mini mini skirt or shorts..
We were told not to touched the Buddha, but allow to photograph
