Jan 31, 2005. Here is a link to photos of Phi Phi Island after the Tsunami.

Dec 27, 2004. That we were on Phi Phi Island, exactly 1 year before the Sumatra earthquake has touched us deeply. I was on Coral Island during Christmas two years ago and diving in the Andaman Islands and snorkeling at Sylvan Sands 4 years ago. I have vivid memories of Phi Phi island and what I was doing the morning of the earthquake and what I would have done after watching the unusual tide changes prior to the tsunami. I was snorkeling at Long Beach and I'm certain that I would have walked around the area wondering why the tide had withdrawn. I suspect that this would have been then end of my adventures. I am indeed fortunate to have avoided this event. The photos below have a new meaning to us - the calm, the kids, the natural beauty.

December 22-28, 2003. So now, well fortified, we are off to the south - Thai Airlines to Phuket Airport (see top map with GPS tracks), Royal Crown minivan to the southern Phuket island pier, then Andaman ferry to Koh Phi Phi Don (lower left map). The GPS routes are yellow. For the tracks from Tokyo to Bangkok to Phuket to Phi Phi, click here to download ascii tracks and waypoints To the left is our island cluster: (Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lay ) - and GPS tracks of longboat trips around Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lay. For the return trip from Phi Phi to Bangkok, click here for the ascii tracks.

Here is our island cluster (Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lay ) - GPS tracks of longboat trips around Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lay (and snorkeling, of course).

This is what our little home looks like: the the Andaman Beach Resort in many ways like the IT Lab - a place full of friendly folks. Here I discovered the morning sun and the warm light that baths everthing. So I explore making about a zillion photos in the early morning and early evening, just to play with the sun and lighting. Some interesting photos of shadows and silhouettes. (Click images for the full photo).