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A Family Getaway Turned Into a Nightmare |
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Penang was a special destination for my family, as my parents grew up on the
island and have a deep love for its food and culture. Every year in December, we
made the six-hour drive to Penang for a three-day vacation, visiting their
favorite food spots and enjoying the beach.
This year was no different. We set off early on a Friday morning, stopping at
Bidor town and Kampar before arriving at our hotel in Batu Ferringhi. Our rooms
had stunning views of the sea, and we spent our first evening playing on the
beach and enjoying quality family time.
The next day, we visited Bukit Bendera in the morning and spent the afternoon
exploring the town's famous hawker stalls. While having tea at a coffee shop, we
overheard people discussing an earthquake near Sumatra, Indonesia. We had no
idea what was coming.
Later, as we walked along the beach, collecting seashells, I noticed something
strange. The sea was receding from the shore, and I called my father's attention
to it. As we watched, a gray line in the distance grew taller and taller, moving
rapidly toward the shore.
My father's face turned pale, and he shouted for us to run back to the hotel. He
grabbed my hand, and we fled along with others on the beach, trying to escape
the approaching danger. The sound of the rushing water grew louder and louder as
we reached the hotel lobby.
My father pushed us towards the stairs, and we scrambled to reach the third
floor. The water level rose rapidly, and we could hear glass breaking as the
tsunami hit the hotel. It was terrifying to see the water rise, almost reaching
us on the third floor. We ran up to the fourth floor and watched in horror as
the swirling water raged below us.
It took a few minutes for the water to start receding. We waited on the fourth
floor before finally descending to the hotel lobby, which was now
unrecognizable. The scene was heartbreaking, with debris and broken furniture
scattered everywhere. Some people were unconscious or groaning with pain, and we
realized how lucky we were to escape with our lives.
The hotel staff quickly evacuated us to a safer location, where we waited for
help to arrive. It was a traumatic experience for my family, but we were
grateful to have each other and to be alive. Our annual family getaway to Penang
would never be the same after that day. |
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