We slept late; we were in no hurry to go anywhere. We went for breakfast to the beach restaurant after eight, most of the resort guests had already gathered there. The suitcases and rucksacks waited in a big heap in the corner of the restaurant.

We were told that group transportation was going to take place at around nine o'clock and not around noon as they had estimated the night before. Nobody knew when the next transportation was going to take place.

After ordering breakfast we hurried to our bungalow to pack. I put our home keys, air tickets, passports and money in my handbag, this way they would be safe! Then we carried our luggage to the restaurant.

We enjoyed our breakfast in peace and waited for the situation to develop taking shelter against the sun in the shadow of the trees. People started to gather to the hot beach to wait for the boat and ensure a place in the "big ship". I saw a small grey propeller airplane circling above the island. Was it an army airplane on an inspection tour to ensure our safe exit from the island? There was still a risk of aftershocks and breakers.

At last the big ship arrived and anchored out on the sea. The passengers had to be moved to the ship in long tail boats. We watched the situation and only left with the last one.

Onboard the long tail boat Andy wondered whether we should leave with this transport as there was panic in the air and so many people on board. We decided however to go because there seemed to be no returning to the island.

You could not hesitate; you had to quickly climb the ladder up to the ship. The luggage would be taken care of. I watched the fuss and felt a bit frightened. I prepared myself for my turn and kept telling myself: "grab the ladder tightly, put your foot on the step and get up on the deck". The long tail boat was rolling on the waves. Fortunately there was no accident and everybody got aboard the big ship, or rather a gunboat of the Marine Police. We only found space in the bow next to a gun. There we rested side by side. There were western tourists on the boat but also lots of Thai youngsters. The westerners seemed relieved. The Thais looked scared, they were sitting with their life vests on, still and quiet, covering their faces; they did not want to show their fear.

We tried our best to enjoy this smooth but wild ride. Our limbs went stiff on the hard deck, but everything was OK now. I thought that this day, 27.12.2004, was the first day of the rest of my life! We were lucky, we were spared the damages of the tsunami on the west coast of Thailand, where our vacation island Ko Lipe was situated.

On the way we saw the floating homes of the fishermen destroyed by the tsunami. We had been watching the CNN news from the damaged areas. All this loss and damage made my heart ache.

We arrived at Bak Para. On the landing there were a lot of people with their cameras welcoming the passengers. The joy and relief was great because on the mainland they had no exact knowledge of the effect of the tsunami on Ko Lipe. We were offered fresh juice and that was refreshing after the hot voyage. We were treated like heroes returning home.

Marine Police had done their job and the gunboat left at once.

We had two more weeks of vacation left; we had planned to spend them on the west coast of Thailand. Now it would be impossible.

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