I have a daughter the same age. This gets to me too. I imagine her mom in her hotel room holding on to Natalee's clothing, hairbrush, etc. etc. I would have to be drugged to get thru this.
Check it out...they have boats in the water now.
You are so right. She is being very strong. Although the situation is not one I would have allowed for my daughter, I still have such empathy for this mother's agony. My own daughter is safe, working, etc., but lives far away. I still worry at least once a day about her. I cannot imagine how I would feel if her whereabouts was unknown.