Leela's Tsunami Diary and G5 Photos

It's been Typhoon Signal #3 for Hong Kong for the last couple of days, so this is an appropriate time for a wet post.

Don,

thank you for sharing
These are awesome stories, and I am again happy that you both survived this disaster.

Best regards,
Andy

Is Hong Kong threatened by a similar disaster? My GF lives there but she doesn't pay much attention to the news - please fill me in on this!

Don Ellis wrote:
It's been Typhoon Signal #3 for Hong Kong for the last couple of days, so this is an appropriate time for a wet post.

Leela and I were on holiday when the tsunami struck last December. I posted my account in May and Leela just finished hers. With so much attention on Rita and Katrina, this is somewhat old news... but it does have the advantage of two people with two cameras and two keyboards recording their indivdual impressions of the event. We wrote our stories and sorted our photos separately, and only looked over each other's shoulders when we both had finished.

If you're interested, you'll find Leela's story and 120 photos on www.leela.net/tsunami.​htm

Her photos were taken with a Canon G5.

Cheers,

Don

www.kleptography.com

thanks Don

and thank you Leela
I have just finished reading all of your account of that terrible experience you both had
you wrote about it beautifully.
and with the photographs it really shows a story not many will have lived to tell
I am absolutely drained again, reading and feeling all of what happened as the tsunami hit and after, when you both had been relaxing on that holiday
I had read Don's account of it some time ago and the thoughts of what may have happened and what actually did, to so many people who had been enjoying 'paradise' one minute, gone forever the next, is so horrifying

as I said, you both wrote about it all beautifully
each in your own way.
we appreciate knowing how it was and especially appreciate that you were both, among others, were saved
the photographs are terrific Leela , the before and after.
I see you mentioned Don's award winning shots, they are wonderful.
I presume they (and yours) were recognized for what they are by 'those who would like to see' such factual shots
thank you again

wishing you both a great and safe and wonderful trip to the UK in the coming week (s)
God Bless

Andythaler wrote:
Don,

thank you for sharing
These are awesome stories, and I am again happy that you both survived this disaster.

Best regards,
Andy

Hi Andy,

Thanks for taking the time to look at her story... we're only fast when it comes to waves, not to publishing our accounts.

I am certainly happy to be around to join everyone here.

Cheers,

Don

Not to worry... I don't think anyplace is threatened by anything approaching the tsunami.

Your grandfather doesn't have to turn on the news... all he has to do is look out his window. It's been raining for days, now finally turning to off and on rain.

Hong Kong's typhoon signals are amusing. When I wrote a 1997 calendar for the advertising company I worked for, I devoted one month to the typhoons -- http://donellis.com …ting-calendar-august.html

Although the signals are on a 10 system, only five of the 10 are used -- 1, 3, 8, 9, 10. I think there have been only two #10s in the last 20 years (don't quote me). #3 is heavy rains and winds. When a #8 is hoisted, all businesses, schools and ferry services close. No one is supposed to go anywhere. We haven't had a #8 yet this year, but typhoons are coming later this year than they normally do.

The biggest problems are usually in the New Territories. There is flooding in the villages and there's always the danger of landslips. If you've never been here, Hong Kong is very hilly and our urban engineers spend a lot of their time shoring up hillsides to prevent them washing away.

Having said all this, I'm sure Grandpa is fine. But give him a call anyway... show him you're up-to-date with happenings in Hong Kong.

Cheers,

Don

Don, thanks for sharing your and Leela's different diaries. I've just come back from Thailand and your diaries remind me the helpless screen from TV broadcast during the disaster.

To be exact, there's only one No. 10 typhoon signal in Hong Kong for the last 20 years. It was in 1999. I remember one man was hit by a fallen tree when he went to work as a security guard (and he died). When I was in my house, I still felt the terrible typhoon "hitting" my house.

Thanks for the typhoon rating explanation. I was referring to my girlfriend, not my grandfather=) At least she is safe, and that's all that matters.

Excellent documentary images, BTW.

Hi Marie,

Thanks for your comments and wishes. I've forwarded them on to Leela who will be very pleased. She is certainly aware of your concern during our Thai adventure, especially when we were out of touch for a few days.

Sorry you're drained again... but you'll fill right up. There are few people with more life in them than you. Or that bring that life to others in such abundance.

I believe Leela was being sardonic when she referred to "award-winning photos." She was well aware that I was torn between comforting her and taking photos before the event passed us by (and out to sea). So I was pleased to see so many photos from her -- it shows me that I wasn't the only one with a trigger finger.

Our trip to the U.K. should be nice... it's a family visit and we love the family. Unfortunately, we have so little time that we won't have a chance to see you. We'll have to use that as an excuse for another trip next year.

Best, as always,

Don

I'm sure she's safe... she probably took refuge in The Landmark, or Louis Vuitton, or Jean Paul Gaultier, or Chanel or Dior. They all have really solid, waterproof shops. You didn't lend her your credit card did you? If so, you're going to wish it were your grandfather.

Good luck. Hope you're not left high and dry.

Don

I'll tell Leela... thank you.

Don

Don:

Please pass on to Leela my thanks for sharing her experiences from the tsunami.
Her writing is surperb, you can see the pictures and the area in your mind with her words even before the actual captured pictures that portray the scenes.
It is an extremely sobering and heart-wrenching story, especially with the unanswered questions.
A disaster of this porportion is unimaginable and defies our capacity to understand or comprehend.
You and Leela have helped with your pictures and stories to put some of this into perspective and also help to remind us that our day to day worries in this commercialized world are in reality, largely of little consequence.

thank you for sharing

Don, Leela, thank you for sharing this, it was very moving. I originally came from that part of the world, and have lived through typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Those are terrible catastrophies, but a tsunami of this magnitude is the most horrific by far. I am glad that you are still with us.