Eyewitness Accounts from Tsunami Survivors

By Paul K. Melhus - Tsunami survivors are turning to the Internet to record their experiences and reassure family and friends that they are well.

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Brandon Behle of San Diego, CA was vacationing on Ko Phi Phi, Thailand when the tsunami struck. His travel blog for December 26 records, "The wave hit at 10:30 in the morning. I was getting breakfast, and was fortunate enough to see it and react. I survived the wave but lost most of my possessions. I headed up into the mountains with the rest of the survivors on my part of the island. We made it to the top of the island. And spent the night there. A Canadian family took me in and took care of me, kept me sane in general were my guardian angels.

We spent the night up there and in the morning helped carry down the critically wounded. Then we helped evacuate people at the MED EVAC center and search the debris for survivors. One of the most beautiful islands in the world was completely flattened and dead bodies lay all over the island. It was horribly, brutally, gruesome and something I would never want to see ever again. When our help wasn't needed anymore, we got on a boat and headed to Krabi on to the mainland. I am in a hotel safe and sound now and am heading to Bangkok tomorrow."

A full account of Brandon's experience can be found at http://www.mytripjournal.com/behle.

Create your own 45 day MyTripJournal website for free in less than 5 minutes.

Mark Chandler of Aberdeen City, UK was finishing breakfast on Ko Lanta, Thailand the morning of the 26th. His entry for that day reads "I noticed the sea disappear backwards away from the beach so the rocks and sand were uncovered, then out at sea we saw a huge freakin wave (about 20m - 30m in height) and basically we all stood and watched it pick up this 35ft boat and bring it towards shore. This brought the boat (about 150m out) right along in front of the resort as it was carried on this huge swell of murky water".

The URL of Mark's travel blog is http://www.mytripjournal.com/chan. It includes photographs of the tsunami from Ko Lanta as well.

Travel blogs will also have their part in the relief effort as aid workers attempt to communicate with supporters back home. Personal website provider MyTripJournal.com is offering free websites to any member of a relief organization who wants to use it to record their experience and keep in touch. Interested parties should email Paul Melhus at at or by telephone604.688.0914 (toll-free: 877.842.2507).

For further information:

MyTripJournal.com
604.688.0914 (toll-free: 877.842.2507)
828 Gilford Street, Suite #204
Vancouver, BC V6G 2N6
Canada

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