Image obtained from colemanconcierge.com
Tropical vacations are almost always imagined as visions of beautiful coastlines, great weather and relaxing in nature. As the car drives along the coast today, I cannot help but be acutely aware of how amazing this coastline is and how beautiful this drive is. Most places in the world, the distance from the beach to the road is pretty far. Not where I am now. I could literally stop the car on the side of the road and I could be diving into the waves of the Indian Ocean within minutes. On one side I see the ocean and on the other I see tea plantations and miles of coconut trees. Dense vegetation. This unique coastline drive is worthy of recognition.
As I remain lost soaking up the beauty of nature, suddenly I awaken to the sound of the tour guide warning us of what is coming up ahead. Look out for the statue he says. It’s not of a famous person but rather a memorial. In memory of a dark day and of loss and destruction like this island had never ever seen before. The Tsunami Photo Memorial. My tour didn’t have time to stop and visit the museum but that didn’t stop the eerie feelings that crept up in me. I can’t imagine what I would have felt if I had seen the actual photos that have been painstakingly collected by a Dutch volunteer who initiated this museum, however, the mere mention of that fateful day made me turn my head and stare out at the beautiful ocean which looked far from angry or destructive. I started to imagine what it must have been like when the sounds that felt like bombs exploding but were not, echoed in the ears of all those present at this spot. How the water level must have risen and with what force the waves must have crashed deep into the land. The train that was passing by as the tsunami struck was derailed and at the time recorded in history as the largest single rail disaster in world history.
How horrific natural beauty can become. Twenty years on from that day, I am driving by this spot and reminded that this beauty has a past. Where was I twenty years ago on that fateful day? I came home from a funeral service for my grandmother. The family was gathered at my house and we per chance turned the TV on, only to catch the breaking news. To witness the horrific images coming in. Watching the first wave of water flooding the roads and then catching the angry second wave which destroyed in unimaginable ways. While nature can be harsh at times, it still retains its ability to shine. This unique coastline is just as beautiful as it was only time and events have left their mark reminding travelers of the legacies those souls and that event have woven into this picture perfect drive.
Someone I know , her family died in that tsunami :(
I can so relate. Many a times, specially when i am on a beach, just thinking of the Tsunami, a shudder goes through my spine.