Chris and Charly's Passage through SE Asia

The day started off like any other………..We slept in late. Then had breakfast at our nice little guesthouse. Met our new neighbours, a Canadian couple, plus their cousins, two Filipinos. Then, we ventured to the beach for a swim in the beautiful, clear, aqua blue water. After splashing around in the very still water for an hour or so, we headed back to the resort to chill out after our tough day.

Blue sand, white beach, what more could you want??

When we got back, about 3pm, our Canadian friend Ryan came and knocked on the door and said there were rumours of an Earthquake in Japan and a Tsunami on its way.

I figured it was best to take a quick look online and checked out the news channels. I quickly found reports of an earthquake and Tsunami on Wednesday (2 days ago) and decided that TIP (This is Philippines) and that it takes some time for news to travel here. At the same time of checking, Joel senior sent me an email sending a warning of Tsunami. This seemed a little strange as he usually has his finger on the pulse and thought it odd to be two days late with such an important warning.

Me being confident my few minutes of internet research must be accurate I proceeded to inform our neighbours as such, and started to draft an email to dad explaining my undertaking and if required, we will strap ourselves to some pieces of wood. After I had finished writing, I had a nagging feeling that this was so unlike dad that I better double check. So I went online and looked up some more scientific websites. I happened upon the PTWC (Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre) and figured that this had a good name to hold such relevant information. There I saw again the Wednesday warnings but below them was a warning from an hour or so ago and upon reading I found that there was a new report, much like the Wednesday ones, that gave a full Pacific warning listing countries and estimated impact times. I used my limited knowledge of the Philippines geography and calculated that the estimated time our peaceful beach would be prime for surfing would be in about 30-60 minutes.

A photo of the resort in case it wasn't there after.......

I gently urged Charly to chuck what she could in a bag and then went and told our neighbours the news and asked Alberto, the manager, to organise some transport to higher ground. Whilst we were waiting for the van, (as nothing here is as quick as you would like it to be) we actually had time to fully pack, other than our wet clothes that we had just washed, figuring they were wet already, what was a little more water going to do? Also, we had time to send a quick email to the folks to say we were moving. We also saw a passing Dutch couple (Thomas and Ellen) heading back from the beach and offered them the news and exit strategy. At all times keeping one eye on the beach for signs of the sea disappearing……

Ready to leave with 30 mins before predicted Tsunami hits

Our rescue chariot

All smiles as we fled for the mountains

Once the van arrived, we crammed ourselves in, and quickly headed about 6 km inland and up the closest mountain to a very nice mountain resort. Whilst on the way, we saw many locals packing their whole lives into small tricycles in attempt to get as far away from the beach as possible. At the resort, we had a lovely view of the coast to watch any impending disasters.

Our Tsunami retreat in the mountains

We had a good view of the sea 6 km away

After a small hike, we found ourselves a little garden cabana and settled in. Over the next few hours, several people arrived and the resort that probably didn’t see many customers was full to bursting. I know they couldn’t have planned such a thing, but they had no food in, and for some reason wouldn’t head down to the store on the coast?!

Our Canadian/Filipino Tsunami team

Thomas and Ellen from Holland

Entertaining ourselves with beer, crisps and travelling stories we quickly got to know our newfound friends. The more beer, the more amusing the stories, especially Ryan’s OCD with flashlights (owning over 30) and permanently having one on his head.

Ryan and his flashlight OCD

We also got visited by an older German fellow, who was a little bit crazy and from suspicious heritage, coming from East Germany and having parents who named him Adolf ?! He was a little annoying, but harmless, and after a few beers, Thomas and I took great pleasure in winding him up, without him even knowing.

Our Dutch friend Thomas and the crazy German

It was growing late, I’d managed to get online and emailed everyone, and check my new Homepage – PTWC, only to find that the Tsunami had struck the Philippines and we hadn’t even noticed, the size of the wave a massive 0.25m! After this, at around midnight, I was ready to head back but our van driver had decided to go home, so we were stranded. Ryan managed to negotiate with the resort owner for a pretty small double room for 1000 Pesos (started at 2500). We managed to cram ourselves in covering bed and floor, only by moving all the non-essential furniture to the balcony. However, we had an issue, the water wasn’t working so we reported it to the manager who remembered she needed to turn the valve on which was under the balcony. Let’s just say that Ryan couldn’t wait and it was a matter of luck that whilst relieving himself off the balcony managed to finish just seconds before she appeared to turn the valve! So, as you do when sharing a small room with 6 strangers, we shared some toilet humour and more amusing stories from Ryan until attempting to sleep.

Sleeping on the floor at Tsunami Escape Resort

Us and our new 6 friends all squeeze into one double room

We managed a few hours of broken sleep on our hardwood floor before emerging to a beautiful day and finally headed back to our beach for a swim in our perfect, clear, calm ocean.

Exhausted and looking very miserable!

Chris and Charly's Passage through SE Asia

a travel blog by chrischarly

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