Sunday, 26 December 2004 10:26:16 Noticed wooden longtail boat struggling in the water and eventually turn over. Also saw many people standing on the shore looking at something, which I then assumed was the struggling boat (but in retrospect I think they were looking at the approaching wave or the bay empty of water). Took camera out of bag to take picture of boat.

Sunday, 26 December 2004 10:26:23 Seven seconds later: After taking picture of boat, the bay had already completely filled with water and I took picture of what I thought was just an extra large wave.

Sunday, 26 December 2004 10:31:41 Climbed up on wooden balcony railing and prayed I was high enough above the water. The water eventually came up to the top of the railing and then started receeding. Started taking photos as the water drained out.

Sunday, 26 December 2004 10:28:04 Fifty seconds later: It was obvious that the wave was not stopping and that I was not going to be able to outrun the wave so I ran up the front entrance to the nearest big building, dodging falling roof tiles, and hoping that the building would not be washed away or collapse. Took photo of now flooded street as I ran into the hotel.

Sunday, 26 December 2004 10:27:14 Fifty two seconds later: When I realized the wave was not stopping at the shore I and others at the beach began running as fast as possible. Since I already had the camera out, I took a picture over my shoulder as I ran, hoping to capture the rushing wave.

Sunday, 26 December 2004 11:01:04 Sought refuge in alcove at highest point in the building. Was bracing for additional waves which never came.

Sunday, 26 December 2004 12:04:16 Almost 2 hours after seeing the struggling boat, the water finally drained out far enough so that it seemed safe to walk out.

Sunday, 26 December 2004 12:20:34 Hitched ride on a passing pickup truck back into main beach of Khao Lak. Photographed some of the devastation as seen from the road.

Monday, 27 December 2004 09:27:39 After being scared back to the hill by several false alarms, Tim and I finally made our way through the wreckage to retreive some of his belongings from his third floor hotel room before beginning hike out of the area.

Sunday, 26 December 2004 14:11:14 Photographed what was believed to be a second wave but which turned out to be a false alarm. Spent the rest of the day and night in safety on top of high hill.

Monday, 27 December 2004 11:26:50 During another false alarm we were driven to military staging area where we were finally taken by private car to a bus station to catch VIP bus to Bangkok.

Friday 31 December 2004 06:59:32 Solomon and I inspected donated goods at military side of Bangkok airport while waiting for transport plane back to Krabi.

Saturday 1 January 2005 12:18:37 First return vist to Khao Lak area to determine extent of damage. Toured area and local hospitals with Jenny, a relief worker for American medical aid organization.

Saturday 1 January 2005 09:39:23 Distributed donations to owners of damaged longtail boats in Krabi area.

Friday 31 December 2004 13:57:18 Arrived at Krabi Hospital to see if we could volunteer there. All of the foreign patients had already been evacuated to Bangkok.

Sunday 2 January 2005 12:18:25 Toured ruined resort island of Phuket. Photographed destruction at Patong beach.

Monday 10 January 2005 14:55:03 Second return trip to Khao Lak. Distributed thousands of dollars of relief aid to refugee camp near Takua Pa.

Saturday 22 January 2005 07:12 Returned home to California after continuing trip to southern Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Tuesday 11 January 2005 09:08:11 Final bit of aid work. Distributed donated money to Monitee Temple in Krabi.