Wok of Life of a Wannabe Wanderer?

Just barely one and a half year ago, world was shocked by a powerful quake that jolted Indian Ocean which further triggered huge wave of tsunami. The incident devastates all coastal area in Indonesia, Thailand, Srilanka, and other countries, killing numerous people.. When people seemed to have put that as history, another powerful wave struck again, this time in Pangandaran, West Java, only 2 days after a small tremor felt in Jakarta. Having visited that tourist spot before, goosebump happened to me upon learning the news.

We can’t prevent natural disaster from happening yet we can do something to prevent fall of victims as result of the disaster. Sorry to say, but seems like this nation has never learnt from previous experiences before. Despite being positioned in what is called "Ring of Fire" in the volcanic path, volcanologists’ warning, and hundred thousands of victim in Aceh province back in 2004, Government doesn’t seem to care on people safety. Not until the Pangandaran disaster happened that they pledge to install tsunami warning system. Disastrously, the pledge is "by 2008" which is 2 years from now. Is it that difficult to implement it while other countries affected in 2004 had already had the system in place shortly after the disaster ?

Speaking about earthquake, I just recently came back from a project with Habitat for Humanity, an organization aims to provide proper shelter/housing for people, in Khao-Lak, most severe affected area in Thailand during the 2004 tsunami.  Although personally I’ve never involved in construction work before, it was truly a memorable and great experience. I’ve learned a lot from the trip, starting from laying bricks, building walls, cement-mixing, up to lesson about lives. Making new friends of ‘cement-lovers’ with all the laughter and fun, chance to visit unique places in Thailand with lot of tasty food further added up the fruitful trip. It seems a good idea to spend vacation in this way. Travelling while doing something meaningful.

Looking forward to another charity project.. Hopefully..