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Typhoon Sailing, Hong Kong

Hong Kong - Typhoon Sailing

A couple of days earlier, after a bit of jetlag-banishing spa pampering at Hong Kong’s art-gallery-impersonating Langham Place Hotel and some gourmet dining at Wang Chai’s Szechuan Lao restaurant, we had weighed anchor and set sail into the central reaches of the South China Sea. A force-9 typhoon had unexpectedly changed direction and blown in from the south-east, keeling the yacht over to the bow by about 30 degrees. Huge seas were running head-on from the southwest, with the occasional rogue wave slamming in from the southeast and keeling the boat over to an extreme degree.

Each time, the yacht took a frighteningly long time to right itself, groaning, complaining and creaking like the geriatric that it wasn’t. Each time I wondered how steel, timber and fibreglass could possibly survive such an onslaught. It had been such a wave that had swung the mast over from port to starboard and then back to port again so quickly that, as the mainmast had passed the vertical, the stress on the stay had become too much and it had snapped. Most unimpressive engineering, I thought, you’d think they would have built the thing to withstand a bit of a blow. I doubted if it would have happened to the Bavaria I’m most used to sailing.

“Morgan” I half-heard the skipper shout through the howling wind, “MOVE”. Morgan, who had been working on the port side, hadn’t needed the skipper’s warning, as he too had heard the stay part and was frantically moving forward in order to vacate the port side as rapidly as possible as, if the mast went, this was the direction in which it would fall. All eyes turned to the starboard stern mainmast stay. Would it hold?

It did not. The entire cleat was ripped from the boat and shot skywards, this time with a report more like a car-crash than a gunshot and sending an accompanying hail of splinter arrows like wooden shrapnel up into the rigging.

“Hmm”, I thought, “even worse, but at least I wasn’t up there getting skewered, as always seemed to happen to at least one of Horatio Hornblower’s crew in CS Forester’s brilliant nautical novels.

The mainmast lost no time in following the starboard bow stay as with an almighty bang it parted a metre from the deck and crashed to port. The sails and rigging tangled with the bow gunwale rail posts, fixing the stricken mast to the port side and immediately increasing the yaw to what seemed like about 70 degrees but which I am assured cannot have been more than 50.

I may be a nautical no-brainer, but I am British and have always been fascinated by the stoicism and sometimes heroism in our tiny island’s remarkable nautical history. Unless CS Forester’s novels were pure fiction then the mainmast now posed a significant threat to the vessel and to the lives of all aboard her. Well, I’m used to fear, in fact in my younger days I habitually courted it by falling off rock-faces hundreds of feet above the ground, but the fear I used to experience while climbing was different, as then I could always do something about the source of the fear, whereas now I felt as helpless and about as much use as a baby in a bullring. With nothing to contribute and so nothing to occupy my mind, my brain idly wondered if an intellectually-committed but spiritually-backward Buddhist like myself could summon up enough equanimity and non-attachment to meet my possible impending demise with dignity. I rapidly came to the conclusion that no, I could not, if the worst came to the worst I’d feel no shame at all in screaming like a baby.

This typhoon thing wasn’t at all what I had thought I was letting myself in for - I had been assured that it was going to miss us. My last sailing trip to Asia had been much more my style. We had chartered a crewed 8-berth yacht with crew from a Phuket outfit by the name of Faraway Yachting and then sailed up to the Myanmar (Burmese) archipelago. I had arrived in Phuket a week earlier and taken a sailing course in the nearby waters, having chosen to learn there due to the absence of extreme weather and as I had heard about the breathtaking scenery in nearby Phang Nga Bay. The week’s sailing lessons, combined with lots of island hopping, had proved to be thoroughly enjoyable. Afterwards I had boarded the boat to Myanmar, which is also blessed with relatively calm waters. That last trip had been much more my thing. We had spent six days sailing from Phuket to the Myanmar archipelago and back, cruising through waters bereft of people but full of picture-postcard islands and fish that were obligingly stupid enough to let me catch them (I’m not much of angler or a sailor, although I enjoy both immensely). Out of mobile phone range of anywhere, after three days I finally stopped thinking about work and totally relaxed, for the first time in years. The skipper Wolfgang was (and I hope still is) an unusual fellow, in being one of the gentlest men I have ever got to know, plus also one who was able to inspire complete confidence in us. Rather an uncommon combination of personality characteristics to come across in a man.

“Well”, I thought, “I’m as safe as possible under the circumstances”, as when the storm had hit I had secured myself to one of the starboard gunwale rail posts with a length of rope and karabiner, as a backup to the safety line attached to the gunwale rail.

The other men seemed to know what to do, as Morgan and the chef Joe moved to each end of the stricken mast and prepared to manhandle it over the side. At this point I briefly thought “maybe I should help out here”. Well, call me an idle coward if you will, but the other two guys seemed to have everything under control and I felt relatively safe, attached with steel and rope to the gunwale, so I left them to it. Morgan cut the stern bow stay. I was watching Joe, port bow mainstay in hand and searching frantically for something, when it dawned on me that he was looking for a knife but didn’t have one, whereas I, most unfortunately, as it seemed to me, did.

“Steve”, I half-heard Joe shout to me above the gale while miming cutting and beckoning motions, “get yourself down here”.

“You can’t be serious”, I thought, “I do have a knife, but how am I going to get it to you?” I considered throwing it to him, but then realized it would be impossible to catch.

“Oh, you idiot” I thought, “every good sailor’s supposed to carry a knife in a storm, aren’t they?” It seemed to me that it was particularly annoying that Joe didn’t have a knife on him, as he’s a chef. I admit that I was being a trifle unreasonable when I fleetingly thought “if you’re that desperate then maybe you should learn a lesson by catching this blade in your chest”. Maybe a tad unrealistic too – me not being one of those Hollywood b-movie stars like Chuck Norris and Steven Segal who can supposedly lob a knife into a villain’s chest at 6 yards from a wildly thrashing yacht deck, with the other hand manfully around a fit but feeble babe and using a single foot to fight off three other bad guys.

I abandoned this plan because men with knives in their chests can’t cut stays and because that stay clearly needed cutting, very soon, in order to ensure the safety of the fifth most precious person on the planet, me.

Did Joe really expect me to clamber along the wildly-swaying and now seemingly-horizontal gunwale, all the way to the bow and then back down the port side? It seemed a most improbable thing to expect anyone to do, let alone a land-lubber like me. I realized that yes, he really did expect me to do exactly that.

“No chance, mate”, I thought, “I’m far too young and good-looking to die, I haven’t had children yet, I’ve only seen Kylie Minogue live in concert eight times and besides, my mum would miss me”.

“Well, she’s the only female in the world who would”, I thought, somewhat depressingly, as I unclipped my carabiner, swung up on top of the gunwale and started scrambling to the bow.

“I’m still attached to the yacht by a metal wire, so I’m still safe, so WHY DON’T I FEEL SAFE?” I thought, my brain addled by the rage of the howling gale.

Ten minutes later we had cut the stays and manhandled the mainmast overboard. Released from its deadweight, the boat keeled rapidly back to starboard, before the storm abruptly arrested this movement seconds later. The sudden stop flung me skywards, after which I landed on the deck so painfully that I could scarcely sit for a week afterwards.

It could have been considerably worse though, as nobody had noticed the naked terror that had gripped me throughout the ordeal and as I had managed to account for myself reasonably well, if totally involuntarily. Also, my aches and pains gave me the perfect excuse to jump ship and check into Manila’s superlatively appointed Ascott Makati hotel in order to recuperate in comfort – I could already picture the small hillock I would create on the coffee table of the stacked empty plates of delicacies ordered up from room service. I also enjoy stacking up empty margarita glasses, as it’s rather risky, because they are liable to all fall over if you put one too many on top.

The bruises on my back-side reminded me of the ones I acquired whilst being caned for smoking at school, a story which I’d like to digress to and away from nautical matters, if I may.

I was at school in England in the days when corporal punishment was regarded as character-building – ie about two millennia ago – and had been caught smoking John Player’s Number 6 in the bus stop loos, then subsequently dragged with my friend Kim before the headmaster. I bent over first and received 3 whacks on the back-side from our headmaster, who had batted second for Warwickshire and so was physically as well as temperamentally well-suited to the task in hand – that of inflicting maximum damage to teenage rumps. After my beating I hopped out of the room and waited outside the door while Kim received his. After the expected three whacks I heard the headmaster shout “you stupid boy”, then the sound of three even louder whacks impacting on the unfortunate Kim’s backside. A few moments later Kim emerged, biting his lip in an only partially successful attempt not to cry.

“So why the extra three strokes, Kim?” I asked. It transpired that the cretinous Kim, while bending over to receive his punishment, had managed to accidentally drop his Players Number 6 onto the carpet. He had hastily attempted to cover them with his foot but they had subsequently been discovered by the ex-cricketer, who had then got very angry and practised boundary strikes on Kim’s bum.

Well, I know that corporal punishment is very un-PC these days, but I’ve got to say that the punishment did me no harm at all, except that Kim’s complete idiocy in earning himself an extra three bottom-weals totally upstaged my paltry three, thus depriving me of the customary wallow in glory that was a boy’s right after being caned. On this occasion, due to Kim’s far greater foolishness and much to my chagrin, nobody was interested in my story at all. I hope this admittedly pointless digression from my sailing story has more luck on these pages.

Whilst in Thailand, why not visit one of the country’s currently best three beach destinations:

Koh Lao Liang: http://www.andamanadventures.com/kohlaoliang.shtml

Ao Nang: http://www.andamanadventures.com/ao_nang.shtml

Railay/Tonsai: http://www.andamanadventures.com/railay-tonsai.shtml

?

About the Author

Runs Andaman Sky Co., Ltd, specialising in climbing and diving trips to Thailand’s best beach destinations

ECHO | Severe Weather Warnings | Lao


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Laos Weather

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Hair Salon in York: Shortinos

Waiting for your hair to grow into a different style can be a frustrating experience, but what if you could have the look of long, luxurious hair in a few hours? Hair extension technology makes it possible for you to have the long styles you want without risking damage to your existing hair or waiting for months for your own hair to grow!

There are many different styles and materials available on the market as well as a number of application techniques and textures of fibers. Your extensions can be made from either synthetic, or human hair. Though most customers prefer real human hair over synthetic hair, both materials have benefits and disadvantages to them. Of course, real human hair is easier to take care of as you don't need to treat it any differently than you do your own hair. Just wash, dry and style it as you would your own. No one will be able to tell that it isn't your own hair just by looking at it. You can style it in any way you are able to style your own hair. You may use curling irons, straightening rods and anything else needed for your desired look. Real human hair extensions can even be dyed if you like. Synthetic hair, on the other hand, is less versatile.

The main benefit of using synthetic hair is the lower cost which makes it a good choice for those looking for a new look on a budget. The total cost for hair extensions using synthetic hair is generally much less that human hair. Another advantage is that synthetic hair holds a style much longer than human hair. Your synthetic extensions will stay straight even if it gets wet or the weather is humid. Depending on your personal style, this might be a real plus but may not be so useful for those who prefer curls.

No matter what material is used, hair extensions are applied by braiding, weaving, wefts, fusion or bonding. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages; what you choose will depend on your style needs. Each application method will last for up to 6 months and so are considered permanent. Consult with your favorite hairdresser if you have any questions! you're thinking about coloring your hair, salon hair care is the best option for finding the best color for your skin. If you try to color it yourself, you could end up with disastrous results. In terms of coloring, make sure to trust the ones who know what they're doing; you won't regret it.

About the Author

Looking for a http://shortinos.com">hair salon in York? Look no further than Shortino's Salon and Spa.

"Vang Vieng - Rained off" Thedidgeridude's photos around Vang Vieng, Lao Peoples Dem Rep


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Weather Forecast Laos

"Krabi, Thailand" Andyagustorie's photos around Krabi, Thailand


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Weather In Laos

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“experiences From ‘the Flow’ (9): New Girlfriend, New Life.”

“Prosperity: The eternal flow of all that’s good in life…”


By Carl “J.C.” Pantejo, Copyright February 2008


(Author “My Friend Yu – The Prosperity Mentor,” Copyright August 2007. Pantejo - Y.N. Vurce Publishing.)


*Below is the ninth episode in a series of real life events experienced by the author. The only deviations from the truth may be the names of people and places. These stories are also incorporated in “My Friend Yu – the Prosperity Mentor: Book II,” Pantejo - Y.N. Vurce Publishing. Release Date: 2008.


I quickly found out that Nueng (Thai: “Number One”) was the ultimate “live-in everything.” She kept our place immaculate, prepared delicious, home-cooked Thai meals, and made sure that I had plenty of freshly laundered and ironed clothes to wear.


But after living together for a few months, I realized she was so much more…


- Saving Baht -


(February 2008) - Currently, one U.S. Dollar (USD) equals 33 Thai Baht.


…And Nueng knew how to stretch every baht we spent.


Coming from a large family and growing up in the poor, North East Region of Thailand, Nueng learned very early in life how to work hard, save money, and shop wisely.


In fact, we now live comfortably on a mere fraction of the money I used to give my ex-girlfriend just for living expenses.


Nueng has taught me how to properly buy things (meaning: haggle) at the local markets, finding bargains that most Farangs (Thai: foreigners) could never find on their own.


Many times, after I’ve chosen something I want at the Mall, Nueng will gently say, “Paeng maak [Thai: too expensive], tee rak [darling]. Chan bai dalat prueng nii [I will go to the local market tomorrow].”


And sure enough, the next day she hands me an identical (or better) item with a receipt showing that it cost us 30-50% less than the price at the Mall.


- No More Magic Acts -


Unlike my ex-girlfriend, Nueng is always there for me. I never have to guess where she is, who she’s with, or what she’s doing.


With the ex, I’d rush home after work – only to find the house empty.


She would often pull a “Disappearing Act” with her girlfriends for hours (or even days). I distinctly remember a nerve-racking, three day period when the ex disappeared. No notes. No SMS (text) messages, e-mails, or phone calls. I was worried sick!


But when she finally returned, I went from fret to furious! Her “reasons and explanations” were blatantly untrue. After repeatedly asking her to tell me the truth, she decided to just clam up.


And with that, we entered into another mutual silent period that lasted for about a week.


- Birds of a feather -


Her friends were as immature as she was.


While I was at work, I got a call from someone informing me that the ex and her friends were at a party and the police got involved, arresting the whole lot of them. The reason? Although the ex was above drinking age, others at the party were minors - and there was plenty of alcohol everywhere. Drugs were also suspected.


After many hours of stressful waiting, she was released. Fortunately, the results of her drug test were negative. That was one of the few times she ever apologized to me for anything.


Most of the time, she would just give me the silent treatment. It was always a guessing game with her. I never knew what was on her mind (or why she behaved so sweetly one minute; then so cold the next).


- Excuse to Leave, Excuses to Stay Away -


The ex was a Lao National and required to renew her visa every 27 days.


The trip to the Thai-Lao border and visa stamp can easily be accomplished in 3 days. But the ex always took at least 7-10 days (sometimes, up to 2 weeks) to do this “visa run.”


When I asked her why she took so many days to get her passport stamped, she would come up with some pretty lame excuses (e.g., “the weather was too bad to travel” – but checking the T.V. news and internet revealed no inclement weather in Laos; “I got sick” - then another friend tells me the ex called her from a karaoke bar; “I was visiting my sick mother, sister, father, friend, etc.” - then her sister or mother would call me asking about her whereabouts).


Of course, the only time she phoned or sent SMS messages while away was because she needed more “travel” money.


One time, I had to send her money because (supposedly) a Lao Taxi driver was holding her luggage hostage until she paid his high transportation fee. Feasible? Yes. Probable? No. The ex was both a Lao citizen AND an experienced “visa run” traveler, getting her visa renewed every month – with no hitches - for the last four years.


Nowadays, I rush home and am richly rewarded with sweet, genuine smiles, hugs, and kisses from Nueng.


- Friendship. What a concept! -


Here in Thailand, I used to think it was impossible to have a girlfriend who could also be a “real friend,” someone of the opposite sex that I could trust and just “pal around with.”


The ex-girlfriend was like all others that preceded her: incapable of having a true friendship with a man; and much too demanding, suspicious, and secretive.


But all that changed with Nueng.


Now I enjoy a relaxed, honest, and fun-loving companionship (the antithesis of all the unfulfilling relationships I’ve had during the last couple of years).


It doesn’t matter if it’s a quiet night at home or a night out on the town, we always have fun together.


And even though most of the humor between us consists of slapstick or “weird word definitions and pronunciation gymnastics,” the resulting laughter (and her smiles) makes everyday worthwhile.


Since Nueng is an ex-farm girl and not afraid to physically show her affection, any light-hearted teasing on my part often turns into rowdy, hilarious wrestling matches.


Like attracting magnets, we are naturally drawn to each other.


Whether it’s watching T.V. or reading separate books, we have some kind of constant, physical contact. It’s nice. It makes me feel loved AND liked.


It’s the closeness and affection I always wanted, but never got, from the ex.


- Communication -


Another huge contrast between Nueng and the ex-girlfriend is Nueng’s desire to learn my language (English) and her willingness to teach me hers (Thai).


Daily, we teach each other different words and phrases. Living with Nueng, I’ve learned more Thai words and phrases in the last three months than in the previous two years!


She is both an avid learner and patient teacher.


What a change! The ex would easily get flustered if I could not instantly understand her.


And of course, since she could not comprehend most of the things I said too, her frustration lead to “mental burn out,” and she would simply give up; tolerating a constant state of “mutual misunderstanding.”


Since relationships fail mainly because of two basic reasons: 1) Incompatibility and 2) Miscommunication, I’m convinced that half of our problems would have been prevented if she was willing to give learning my language (or teaching me hers) an honest try.


Oh well. It’s a moot point now. The ex is gone. Thank God, Nueng is here.


“It’s truly a ‘New Girlfriend, New (Better) Life’ in ‘The Flow’ for me now…”


…Continued in “Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (10): Falang or Thai? Some Polarized Views.”


“Until next time, find ‘The Flow’ and jump in!”


Your Friend in this Intrepid Journey called Life,


Carl “J.C.” Pantejo


Falang, contrast, perspective, lovers, friends, baht, save, spend, immature, haggle, silent, communication, visa, renew.


Note: If you want to read more about overcoming heartbreak, unconditional love, exorcising past personal demons, and the Illusive Secret of Happiness, please read the following articles:


“Experiences from ‘The Flow’: From Heartbreak to Happiness”


“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (2): Coincidence or Synchronicity: FROM RELAPSE TO MIRACLES...”


“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (3): LOST AND FOUND - Kindred Spirits and Mistakes made in Haste.”


“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (4): LOST AND FOUND – Meant to Be?”


“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (5): “The Stray”


“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (6): “New Beginnings, Old Endings”


“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (7) - Living Well? Farangs and Finance: The Myth”


“Experiences from ‘The Flow’ (8) Living Well? Farangs and Finance: The Reality, Stupidity, and Hard Knocks.”


“How Dare She! Out of Desperation I Learned How to Forgive”


“Remember Who You Are!”


“Need to Heal Your Broken Heart? Read on. Overcome Heartbreak and Learn the Illusive Secret of Happiness.”


(By Carl “J.C.” Pantejo and published internet-wide, keyword: [title of article] or “Carl Pantejo”)


Pantejo@ynvurcepublishing.com

About the Author

About the Author:

He is a retired U.S. Military veteran. Believing that school was too boring, he dropped out of High School early; only to earn an A.A., B.S., and MBA in less than 4 years much later in life – while working full-time as a Navy/Marine Corps Medic. In spite of a fear of heights and deep water, he free-fall parachuted out of airplanes and performed diving ops in very deep, open ocean water. He went to Thailand 1 year ago for a week’s vacation, fell into a teaching job, and has never left!

Carl “J.C.” Pantejo
Pantejo@ynvurcepublishing.com
Founder, Y.N. Vurce Publishing
http://www.ynvurcepublishing.com

The Secret War in Laos (Part 1)


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Weather Laos

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How to be Prepared for the Holidays

CPR saves the lives of thousands of Americans every day, and the holiday season is no different. In fact, CPR certification is the top life saver during this time of year! Make sure that you are prepared for the holidays with training in CPR/AED and First Aid techniques!

It is especially important to know CPR during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's for a number of reasons. Primarily, weather conditions can quickly turn from good to bad, causing treacherous travel conditions. If one of your loved ones were to experience cardiac arrest, get the breath knocked out of them, or become injured, emergency medical assistance could be delayed. In winter weather, ambulances could take as long as three hours to reach you, leaving your loved one to struggle for life. However, if you have received CPR training, you could be a life saver! Instead of standing around, feeling helpless as your aunt, uncle, child, or spouse lays limp and breathless, you could literally take their lives into your own hands!

Second, people eat mass amounts of food at a fast pace during the holidays, especially around the family dinner table during the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. They may forget their manners, fail to adhere to proper chewing habits, or attempt to talk with their mouths full. For these and many other reasons, choking hazards are at a heightened level during this time of year. What would you do if someone got a piece of turkey lodged in their windpipe? How would you handle the emergency if your brother or sister failed to chew their stuffing adequately? By taking a course in CPR certification, you will know how to handle the situation, springing into action and saving their lives!

Finally, family gatherings tend to include physical activities, such as impromptu football games between middle-aged, out-of-shape men. Often, these well-meaning individuals wind up hurting themselves or others, creating a need for First Aid treatment. If one of the players gets knocked down too hard, they could get the breath knocked out of them, creating an emergency situation. By knowing CPR/AED or First Aid techniques, you can address the situation quickly and efficiently!

If you have considered taking a CPR course, or if you need to freshen up your skills, there is no better time to do so than now. With the holidays, family gatherings, and icy streets at your back door, it is important to be well prepared for an emergency.

The American Health Care Academy is an online, accredited, certified provider of CPR certification and First Aid courses. The CPR classes allow you to learn at your own pace, in the comfort of your own home with the ability to log in and out. The instructors are also available to speak with you by phone anytime you have questions or need clarification. Upon completion of the course, you will be able to print out your own CPR certification card!

To learn more about the American Health Care Academy, visit their website at: www.cpraedcourse.com.

About the Author

The American Health Care Acaedemy offers online CPR/AED and First Aid certification at www.cpraedcourse.com.

MDGs in Lao PDR: Food security


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Lao Weather

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Exotissimo Experiences: Live it and Share your Exotic Stories of Southeast Asia to your Friends

Pictures speak a thousand words. Experiences paint a thousand pictures. Sometimes, you just have to be there in order to truly understand the place. That concept rings exactly true here in Southeast Asia. No wonder why the region is one of the world's favorite holiday destinations. You must've heard tales of warm tropical weather, amazingly blue ocean waters with smooth sandy beaches, majestic limestone formations gutting out of the water, spicy and tongue tingling food that's to die for, amazing golf courses, and some of the world's happiest and friendliest people. Don't you want to experience some of this for yourself?

We mentioned the weather. No worries, there's no snow and it hardly gets cold (unless you decide to go up north and trek the mountains). So, all you really have to bring is your summer wardrobe. Yes, there will be hot days, and a dip in your hotel swimming pool can very well take care of that. Or perhaps a rejuvenating world class spa session is your cup of tea.

Or maybe a dip in the ocean can cool you off a bit. Southeast Asia's got her fair share of paradisiacal beaches and islands. Whatever your imagination of a tropical holiday is, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia can certainly provide it, with tons of options available. Many of these beach spots are near uninhabited islands, which you can easily cruise off to and explore. Also nearby these beaches are jungles, hills and some of the best relaxation spots in the world.

In keeping with the relaxation theme, you can do just so, while also refining your swing and golf game at one of the region's numerous courses, which are perhaps some of the world's best. And once you're done, why not whip up those tantalizing and exotic dishes at one of our partner restaurants or hotels? Not only will you satisfy your hunger, you'll also learn cooking techniques that you can bring back and impress your friends with.

Adventure is also calling for you. There's a lot of everything here, including trekking, cycling and white water rafting. While your adrenaline is pumping, you'll also admire the beautiful scenery and interact with the people who've lived these lands for generations upon generations.

Sounds enticing? You too can finally be that person, the one who has tons of fascinating and exotic tales to tell from your experience in lands far far away. You can start by seeing our experiences page. All those points we mentioned earlier, they're all present here.

www.exotissimo.com/

About the Author

Established in 1993, Exotissimo Travel is a well known Tour Operator in Asia. We have the expertise and connections to create your perfect inspirational tours as well as customized programs in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia and Japan at the best possible price. Your experience guarantees stops to the main sites as well as the hidden spots, giving you a true sense of the culture and rewarding you with unforgettable memories.

Lao News 23/04/10


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Weather In Laos

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When Relief Operations Overwhelmed

The principal challenge in any emergency following a natural disaster comprises providing immediate relief support to the worst affected populations.  In practically all of the cases, the vulnerable groups disproportionately affected by natural disasters are the women and children.  Lest we forget, the elderly were not spared and suffered equally in these situations.  Humanitarian assistance hence has to focus on attending to the greatest needs including food, water, sanitation, and public health.  Inordinate delays will exacerbate the crisis, propelling such situations into another full grown disaster.  A fresh review of the experiential lessons learned in recent natural calamities will put this subject in a better disaster management perspective. 

The series of disasters in Asia over the past six months underscored the need for greater preparedness.  In many instances, when nature vents its fury, it cuts a disastrous path across borders, leaving catastrophic devastation in countries affected.  26th September  2009 saw tropical storm Ketsana tore through Philippines, killing at least 292 people and affecting another three million.  Ketsana barreled through Philippines to Vietnam, Cambodia, and also Laos, leaving in its wake damage and destruction including the death toll.  In Vietnam more than 170,000 homes were flooded while in the Quang Nam province 6,300 houses were destroyed.  The impact on the world’s second largest rice exporter can best be illustrated through scenes of thousands of farm animals dead and almost 50,000 hectares damaged.   
 
Then on 29th September the Pacific islands of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga were battered by a tsunami.  Earthquakes struck the city of Padang, Western Sumatra with at least 1,100 people killed.   Philippines again received another blow with the arrival of typhoon Parma in October.   Relief efforts were thus stretched with field operations spread out at different areas/countries requiring almost simultaneous emergency humanitarian assistance. 

At the peak of the Ketsana emergency response in the Philippines, the UN World Food Programme had to rapidly expand its relief operations to provide one million people with food and other vital supplies.  In the Philippines’ experience,  Ketsana caught rescuers and emergency response team off-guard.   With the typhoon rushing in on a weekend, emergency response grounded to a slow pace, and coordination being stuck since government offices were closed.  To top it all, emergency and relief workers were trapped in their own homes.  
 
With much of the suburban areas remained waterlogged logistical problems delayed relief efforts.   Access for delivery of assistance was impeded with much of eastern manila immersed in knee-deep mud and out of reach.  Faced with the logistical problems, relief items dwindled fast within just three days of the floods.  Food and water supplies were inadequate.  As such many people have to endure hunger and pain waiting for humanitarian assistance.  At the evacuation centres there were scenes of long lines of hungry and tired  flood survivors.  Manila’s health infrastructure were substantially destroyed, the full magnitude of the disaster simply overwhelmed emergency response capabilities.  A general appeal went out to the private medical and health services to assist survivors especially the children cope with post traumatic stress. Beleaguered by the enormity of the calamity the situation forced Philippines President Gloria Arroyo to appeal for international assistance on 28th September.   

The challenges were enormous.  After Ketsana’s onslaught, the resulting floods, the worst in decades shattered many infrastructural facilities. Toilets at emergency centres overflowed, water supply and power still knocked out, and piles of rotting rubbish abound.  The capital Manila and the suburbs were under threat from disease outbreaks.  In one of the worst hit areas, only three battered portable toilets were installed for more than 3,000 flood survivors.  Administrators of some schools turned into emergency centres had to padlock bathrooms since the toilets had clogged posing hazards to occupants sleeping on the grounds with only cardboard matting.  (i) 

Just two days after Ketsana pummeled the northern island of Luzon and Metro Manila, rescuers and relief workers were pushed to the limit. Maintaining basic standard of sanitation remains challenging.  As flood waters recede, piles of rubbish and debris appeared everywhere.  
 
 By then almost half a million were affected and  116,000 already moved to 200 evacuation centres.  The ensuing floods wiped out entire villages, particularly the poor communities in the low-lying areas along river banks and tributaries.  In all, more than 2.5 million people were affected.  The numbers alone were mind boggling.  As the days went by, those evacuated increased to 700,000 people and the number of evacuation centres went up to 700 scattered around Manila. 
Health officials reported about 80 per cent of Manila’s health infrastructure was destroyed.  Even many of the state hospitals were forced to evacuate.    Threats from water borne diseases including Leptospirosis and diarrhea reached alarming levels.(ii) 
    
The consequent devastation and loss of life in the Philippines from typhoon Ketsana portends of future events  influenced  by extreme weather disasters brought about by  climate change. The sheer magnitude of the disaster and its intensity were obviously overwhelming.   To undertake the massive relief operations, the Philippines government appealed for international humanitarian assistance. (iii) “With more than 20 typhoons hitting the country every year whatever progress is made in handling disasters get eroded in the cyclical onslaughts.  It’s not for the lack of both preparation and mitigation measures, yet the subsequent rounds of disasters still leave a major impact.  The destruction and high death tolls persist.  For the survivors, they felt it was like they are back to zero". (iv)
 
The barrage of natural disasters that hit the Asian Pacific region, and the cross border impact of these disasters posed a grim reminder that emergency preparedness cannot withstand intense wide-ranging devastation without efforts involving full collaboration, cooperation and coordination of regional stakeholders. 

References:- 

(i)                  IRIN. Philippines. Disease threatens as Manila braces for another storm.  Manila, 1 October, 2009.
(ii)               PHILIPPINES: Government appeals for international help. MANILA, 28 September 2009 (IRIN)
(iii)             IRIN. Philippines.  Ketsana underscores climate change imperative . Bangkok, 30 September 2009.
(iv)              Ketsana.  Philippines.  Typhoon Leaves 72 Dead and Missing. Jim Gomez. Associated Press. 27 September 2009.
 

About the Author

Author had extensive experience in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance with 28 years service with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Involvement included assignments to Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia-Montenegro, China, Mongolia and also emergency missions to Pakistan, Romania,and Sri-Lanka.

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Where is the best place to travel in Asia during November?

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