Note the parasail in the background.
Posted on 12/30/2004 11:05:39 AM PST by kahoutek
IT seems almost impossible.
Just days after the tidal wave disaster, one of the devastated beaches was returning to normal yesterday.
On Sunday, Patong Beach was hit by a wall of water that swept into Phuket, claiming at least 120 lives.
Parasols, chairs, and other beach paraphernalia were swept to the top of the tree-lined beach, dragging helpless holidaymakers with them. It was at this beach that six-month-old Melina Heppell, of Perth, disappeared from her father's arms when the huge wave struck.
For some tourists yesterday, however, the tragedy was becoming a memory, albeit a vivid one, as they made the most of the weather and topped up their tans.
Many in bathers and bikinis, some lounged on sunbeds and others took a dip in the water that had claimed so many lives a few days earlier.
Their fun in the sun came despite warnings that aftershocks could follow the disaster that is likely to have killed as many as 100,000.
As many Westerners waited for news of missing loved ones others arrived to take holidays as usual.
Engineer Paul Cunliffe, from Manchester, arrived on an almost empty flight from Malaysia. Gin and tonic in hand, Mr Cunliffe said he and two friends were booked into a beach-front hotel that had escaped serious damage, and had been assured of a "wonderful holiday".
"Our friends think we're mad. The only risk we face I think is if there's another quake. We love the place that much and we thought we would take the risk," he said.
Further south at Surin Beach, where 10 died, tourists also were out in force.
I agree with you. Asking tourists to forego their vacations in the region is like asking President Bush to publicly emote--it does nothing to actually help the victims.
Note the parasail in the background.
"Who takes a six month old baby on vacation with them to the beach?"
Couples with a six month old baby, perhaps? Why would they not take a baby on a beach vacation?
Having lived in a beach community, I've seen lots of babies on vacations there with their parents.
Is the beach safe for swimming? What about all the reports of contaminated water and sewage water seeping into the water supply?
The parasail gets me more than the peopleon the beach. They may be stranded or something.
I could. I love that kind of thing. Of course it helps that I really don't like people much at all...
I was remarking just yesterday to my co-workers that now is the time to visit there for a 'Misanthrope's Holiday'.
Me.
I actually think it's rather inspiring that despite all of the death and devastation, life moves on. Moping around with the sackcloth and ash routine does absolutely nothing for those who have died. Refusing to let the ravages of nature crush the human spirit, on the other hand, is exactly the attitude I like to see.
I don't think that would be very fun. But then again, I picture going on a beach-related vacation as a romantic trip. I guess if it's a bring-the-whole-family thing it would be different.
"I don't think that would be very fun. But then again, I picture going on a beach-related vacation as a romantic trip. I guess if it's a bring-the-whole-family thing it would be different."
Have any kids? Yes? Well, forget about those romantic trips until they're grown up. Families also go to the beach on vacation, but it's all about the kids. But, then again, isn't everything about the kids once you have them?
We have three. For us a romantic date is our own table in the McDonalds playland.
It does raise the point. Are these people that are going on with their vacations doing more to help the local population, than had they decided not to go?
It's a lot of fun. (Just of a different variety than a romantic trip for two to the beach.)
At this point I have a two year-old and a seven month-old. (See what romantic trips to the beach can lead to.)
So are they ignoring the bodies washing up next to them? I hate when that happens!
German package tourists in action. I am not surprised in the least. They're like livestock.
Not only that, but these tourists are coming to hotels, where the lodging could be used for all the people that are flying in to help. Where are they supposed to stay? They will be consuming any clean drinking water they may find, and I am sure people that work at these hotels would rather be home searching for loved ones, and trying to rebuild their homes. What do you do when a body washes on shore while you are sunning your self there? Summon a concierge I guess. I think they are selfish that they want to put themselves in the middle of a national emergency, while bodies are still be retrieved, so they can have a "vacation".
EXTREMELY good point.
Dear God, that is despicable, but typical of some of the more selfish Euros.
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