Sad state of affairs. Human nature is most unusual.
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,11816699%255E911,00.html
Killer waves, then a day on the beach
By OLINKA KOSTER
31dec04
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.
.
|
