Thursday 27 November 2008

Trapped in Paradise

I know I promised to update you on my trip but I have been incommunicado until today.

I also know that I promised you that I would be having an adventurous time. And I have (and have all the photos to prove it). Except today it turned a little more adventurous than even I would have liked.

It seems we are now stranded in Thailand.

Protestors supporting the People's Alliance for Democracy have taken over the two major airports and all inbound and outbound flights have been cancelled. We understand that in the next 48 hours the military will be flying out travellers who urgently need to return home. For the rest of us it's all a bit up in the air. C'est la vie.

We are obviously not in any danger where we are in Phuket (as the trouble is in Bangkok where we need to be to leave the country) so we will just play the waiting game.

When we turned on the news to hear the latest about Thailand I was shocked to hear about the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India. My heart goes out to everyone who has been affected.

I hope you all have been well and I can't wait to catch up on your blogs very soon. Well, as soon as I can get home.

Lilly xx

69 comments:

  1. Tough spot to be stuck during a political dispute. I always enjoyed my trips to Phuket. Some nice diving.
    Take care.

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  2. be careful dear one !! come home safe and sound - le xoxoxo

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  3. Thought of you when I read about the airport protests in Bangkok. And glad to know that you are away from the epicentre, so to speak.Lets hope folks see reason, and things get back soon to normal.

    In the meanwhile, whats happening here in Mumbai is absolutely outrageous. Waiting for all the madness to end, and praying for those in the thick of it all....

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  4. Hang in there, Lilly, we've missed you. I remember this is exactly the thing you were worried about.

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  5. I've been thinking of you! Be safe, and come home soon!!!

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  6. Thought of you in Bangkok, and nephew in Bombay...fine week you picked to go on holidays to extremist countries, girl!

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  7. I am glad you are having fun but stay safe. We are all excited to hear your stories and see the pics. See you soon.

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  8. I'm so sorry you're stuck there. I am also sickened by what is happening in India. Stay safe and I hope you get home soon!

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  9. I'm praying for you! I just don't know whether to pray for a few more days, or a quick return... either way be safe and enjoy the memory making.

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  10. Have been thinking about you and hoping you are safe! Take care, come home safely.

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  11. I hope you get home safely! Good trip!

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  12. Crikey Lilly! I don't know what to say! I hope you are having a good time but I miss you and will be relieved when you are back safely! :)

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  13. Oh Phuket!

    I hope you get a flight soon. :)

    xh

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  14. Oh my gosh Lilly, Please be safe!! I will definitely be saying an extra prayer for you this weekend
    Have you contacted the US Consulate?
    Please let us know the second you land at home and let us know you are okay.

    I said my prayers for those in Mumbai today. We live in an area where there is a Very large East Asian community so I am sure my neighbors are effect. Also hubby and my work both have offices in India.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you.

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  15. Take care over there. Hopefully the situation will be resolved soon and you will be able to fly home.

    Fortunately, despite the takeover of the airport, everything has been fairly calm and violence free. I really hope it remains that way.

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  16. Make the best of it Lilly. Come home safe and soon! Pray for peace.

    Peace - Rene

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  17. Lily,

    I look forward to hearing about your trip and seeing photographs.

    I hope you will return home as soon as possible.

    Best wishes,
    Nina

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  18. I feel your pain... in 2006 we were in London during the "baby milk terrorist plot", remember... the reason every american must not carry anything in their luggage over 3 ounces now.

    It was awful. We had to stay an extra 2 days, and were stranded in our plane, on the runway for 16 hours afterward. 3 kids, my mom, my hubby and me.

    Such fun!

    Return safe and well, and I can't wait to see pictures!

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  19. Hope you can get home safe and sound soon.

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  20. Once you get back you can take a look at my place. (Nov. 27) I left you something... :)
    I love your blog!

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  21. Be careful and keep us posted as much as you can.

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  22. Stay safe. I'm praying for your safe return.

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  23. I'm glad your ok and hope you get to where you want to be soon.

    Those are horrible attacks on India..what a shame so many horrible and sad things happen in this world. so much tragedy.

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  24. Take care, dear Lilly. I'm so glad you are not in Bangkok.

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  25. Whew Lilly - you had us all worried!
    I heard this morning that the Thai government has agreed to open up armed forces air bases to allow people to get out. I suppose that's how they're letting some people through.
    Is Aussie Foreign Affairs keeping in touch?
    At least you're not in Mumbai - the demonstrators in Thailand are peaceful pro-democracy people. It's a matter of how the Generals react though ...
    They won't let you near the trouble I'm sure.
    Relax and enjoy your enforced holiday.
    (Quite a few Aussies are affected in Mumbai and the government here is being very supportive.)
    Hugs
    June in Oz

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  26. Oh. My. God! That is terrible! Do some more shopping and have a few more drinks.... lol

    I look forward to hearing some of your stories!

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  27. That is horrible. Prayers that you remain safe.

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  28. Lilly
    I had a seniors moment when I mentioned the "Generals' - I was thinking of Burma - I don't know why. Sorry. Thais are peaceful in their intent.

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  29. Oh Lilly, I'm so sorry you're stuck over there. I hope you'll soon be able to leave and post some of your photos. I'll bet you're finding some fun things to do keep you occupied. The happenings in Mumbai are indeed tragic.

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  30. Hi lilly, Like the rest I too am holding you in my thoughts (and that's really difficult for someone as ancient as me! Seriously though, I hope you will be back to Oz safely and without further hassle.. we miss yer happy but weird sense of humour girl. Cheers Kate x.

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  31. OOppps Lilly, just had a thought it could have been worse and you could have been stuck in Glasgow -where is 'bloody freezing with a white frost everywhere' ... keep yer chin up - Kate x.

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  32. I hope everything works out. Take care!

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  33. Oh bother! That is a bit of a pain and from the news reports they haven't got the airports opened yet. The world has truly gone crazy. Take care.

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  34. The world has truly become a crazy place. Now, don't take ice cubes with your drinks: Thais really put mice in there.
    Be safe and have a safe trip home.

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  35. Hi Lily!

    Wishing you a safe return home! It is too bad that we have humans on this Earth who exhibit such extreme acts of violence on others. I know however that the world is changing and it and we will be moving in a more unified and loving stance in the future. I know that may be hard for some people to believe seeing what happens, but there is not other way - it is either we wake up or self-destruct.

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  36. Oh Lilly I pray you can stay safe and come home quickly.
    I was wondering what was happening. My eyes are puddling for you.

    People from our church are stranded in Thailand too with 2 little boys - we prayed for Thailand in church today.

    Looking forward to all your adventures you are a wordsmith who weaves magical stories.

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  37. I was wondering where you were, and hoping you weren't in Mumbai.
    I heard about the airports as I sat down to Thanksgiving dinner. I'm sorry you're caught in the middle of this mess.

    Do keep us abreast of what's going on. Be safe.

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  38. Lilly, God bless you,
    from Gods own country

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  39. Hi Lilly --

    Can't you divert from Phuket to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore and head back down to Australia from those places?

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  40. I'm not against protesting, but it sounds like it should be illegal to take over an airport.

    Well, stay with your group, and stay safe! Don't take any chances.

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  41. I hope you are able to come home soon - safely!

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  42. I hear Thailand is beautiful!! I hope to visit there one day!! I hope you are able to leave soon! I am stopping by from BATW!

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  43. Hope you manage to get home soon. Here via BATW.

    And yes - it is heart-breaking to hear of the deaths in Mumbai.

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  44. Hope you manage to get home soon!

    Here via BATW.

    I'm also horrified to hear about the Mumbai terrorism.

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  45. hello from BATW... I live overseas in Europe and have been hearing about the unrest in Thailand a lot on the news. Praying you get home safely!!!

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  46. Visiting from BATW. Hope you are enjoying your extended vacation. Not the worst spot to be stuck in, but it is scary to have an entire country held hostage by some protestors.

    Stay safe!

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  47. I hope things are still alright with you. I'm visiting from BATW. Good luck on your return home.

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  48. We have friends who are also stranded. I hope you're able to find a flight soon.

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  49. also here via BATW. hope you are doing well and get to come home soon.

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  50. Hope everything turns out OK for you. Debbie at BATW was worried that you wouldn't be able to return home. We have our fingers crossed!

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  51. I hope you return home safe and sound -- and soon! I dropped in from BATW; how appropriate that you're out jetsetting around the world. I hope the extra days away are peaceful!

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  52. Wishing you well!!! Be safe!

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  53. Here from BATW. Hope you are having a great time on your adventure. Hope you stay safe as well :)

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  54. Here from SITS and BATW, scary stuff. Come home safe.

    My heart goes out to all in Mumbai.

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  55. What a pretty exciting time... Hope you get home soon!

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  56. Visiting from BATW. What tragedy in Mumbai! Trusting that you are in God's care and will be home safe and sound.

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  57. Thinking of you, Lilly! Come back and amuse us!
    Pearl

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  58. Greeatings from Wisconsin in the States. Congratulations on your BATW feature. I hope you enjoy your day in the sun where ever you are:-)

    I wish for you a safe trip home:-)

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  59. Wow! That's crazy! I'm glad you are at least out of harms way. I hope you can get home soon! Stopping by from BATW.

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  60. I'm glad you're safe where you are. I heard about the unrest, and I thought of you. Thanks for letting all of us know you're okay. Can't wait to hear all of your exciting stories when you get back home. Stay safe.

    Tasha

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  61. I had goosebumps after reading just the first sentence.

    I've never experienced anything like what you are going through. Good grief, every time we fly out of (now!) air-tight Logan in Boston I am a mess.

    Stay safe, and I hope you'll be able to fly home ASAP!

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  62. Flying in from BATW. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

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  63. When life gives you lemons make lemonade. What kind of fun can you find while waiting to return home? We were unexpectedly trapped in Baltimore for a week on our way to Italy once. We had fun taking in a few sites we wouldn't have seen had we been able to get on our original flight. We loved the lemonade we made from our lemons. Plus, it gave us the opportunity to fly to Italy on our 3rd Wedding Anniversary. Extra Special times.

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  64. My step daughter wants to go there on a mission trip mext summer, and we are very torn about it... we want her to do God's will, but we also want her safe....

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  65. Oh I just love that bar. So glad you stopped in and partook... and that you're now safely home. And that you're willing to go back to Thailand. I saw many on the news swearing they were never going to leave the States again... so sad!

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