I’m writing a blog today because cyclone Pabuk has gone (thank god!) and Richard has also gone diving so I’m sat in the sunshine (finally) thinking about stuff.
Firstly, that cyclone was annoying ay? Not so much for us. Out of them all, we were probably on the better Thai island as we had thunder and torrential rain, a few power cuts and were stranded for a couple of days but other than that, we are fine. However, I look at the aftermath and feel sorry for the locals. Firstly, up to 50,000 tourists left Koh Tao island over a few days when they heard there was a storm coming. This meant it went deadly quiet and the local restaurants and bars suffered as a consequence. Secondly, all boats and ferries stopped. A lot of people work at the port and so this affected them massively. And lastly, Fishermen haven’t been able to fish for three days which is awful for their livelihood.
It has left islanders with a lot of flooding and clearing up to be done. The destruction can often change ecosystems as the damage ruins animal habitats. We were lucky not to get any tidal surges as we were sleeping right on the beach but I’ve read that global warming may lead to an increase in strength, quantity and length of cyclones in the future.
I was in a tsunami evacuation a few years back and the thing that still amazes me when a storm or tsunami is predicted, is the local’s attitude. When I asked a local if the cyclone was going to be bad, she said “don’t worry, enjoy your life” then after a pause, followed up with “we go together” and giggled! They don’t panic, they don’t stress. They do however prepare, with sandbags, supplies, alarms and drainage systems etc. but it doesn’t get on top of them.
Most of them are Buddhist which I just love! I love their way of life. They work very hard but they relax too. Very good for you! Their food is also amazing! Me and Richard always feel so much better over here as everything is fresh and cooked when you ask, not processed and not reheated like most things in the UK. I watched a little girl eating breakfast this morning. It was fish (probably caught today) and sticky rice. How much healthier is that then the sugary cereals we tend to give kids at home! Come to think of it, when I was a vet over here I barely saw any gut problems or even cancer! I wonder what the human population health is like….
Anyway, that’s my two cents worth! My observations for the week! The morals I want to take in to 2019… be more Thai. I just need to learn meditation. 😀
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Kelly
The Vogue Vet
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The Vogue Vet 