Hope and Promise

[dexeadie]

This is not the first time a disaster has stricken on of my most favorite places to holiday. I frequent both Thailand and the Philippines and I remember the devastation to Angeles City (AC) in 1991. Yes this disaster is bigger but I can tell you all of AC bars were destroyed or collapsed after MT Pinatubo eruption. AC was completely gone. And so was the US military, the prime income for all the bars and businesses in AC.
AC took years to get where it is now. They had to develop their own tourist trade because there was none before. I remember arriving just after the eruption and seeing the devastation. The bars all closed and the military gone. The base, Clark field was in shambles and what was left was looted by the locals. It looked hopeless and I thought I would never return. I did return in 94 and found a few bars open. A few good Aussie guys saw the potential of old AC and invested there. I believe on of the first was the owner of the Tahitian Queen in Pattaya. As a few more years passed it was obvious that AC was on the rebound. By 2001 50 bares were open and today I believe close to 75+. You will see some off the best and most modern bars here as well. The Blue Nile and Pickup Disco are breath taking inside and full of girls. Both of these clubs are three floors high and beautifully outfitted and decorated.
So where am I going with this? Don’t treat everyone. Phuket already has its own tourist trade and many investors will return. These waves were a once in a lifetime occurrence just like the eruption of Mt Pinatubo. As Buddha has taught; the Thaïs will rebound, not dwell in the past and make the best of this horrific event. What Phuket will get are new more better bars. All new and modern dive shops will line the beaches. Better hotels and tourist attractions. It want take 10 years like AC did. It will take maybe two or three to see the new Phuket in all its exotic beauty. I can’t wait to see it. So go now and keep going back to witness the change you will see in this exotic place.
Mother Nature has taken a lot from us this holiday season. The death and destruction is insurmountable but, what we will get in return will amaze all who love and cherish this exotic wonderland. It's Mother Nature’s way of renewal and we who are left will be the befinficarys of her wonder.