10Yrs on remembering the victims of the Indian Ocean Tsunami 2004-2014

Today marks the 10th Anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunami which struck 14 different countries without warning and killed hundreds of thousands of people in an instant. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims, survivors, and family members who were impacted by this disaster.

The reason why I mention this is because I got a chance in 2012 to see first hand not only the damage and pain left behind by the Tsunami, but also the resiliency and resolve of the Thai people. Their sense of community is amazing and they welcome visitors with open arms; immediately making you feel like a part of their family.

One of the best experiences during my three week trip to Thailand with my wife was when we participated in a community based tourism program run by Andaman Discoveries. AD has received numerous awards for Responsible Tourism and has been working to help 12 different communities rebuild since 2006. We got to stay in a muslim village located right on the Andaman Sea where the Tsunami struck. Unfortunately, the entire village was wiped out and over half of the villagers were killed when it struck back in 2004. Looking to rebuild their community, the survivors developed homestay programs for tourists. Each family in the village takes a turn hosting tourists in their own home and teaching visitors various trades of the village. My wife and I got to learn how to make soap from scratch, make roofs by tying together banana leafs, fish using a giant net that we cast by wading out into the water, and cook traditional thai dishes.

Not only did our visit to the village directly benefit their rebuilding efforts, it made a lasting impression on my wife and I that we'll never forget. We wake up each day with a better appreciation for what we have and how blessed we truly are!

If you are looking for a truly amazing place to visit in 2015, look no further than Thailand!

More information on the work that Andaman Discoveries does can be obtained on their website: http://www.andamandiscoveries.com/