Sunday, April 03, 2005
Tuk-tuk saint
A tale I found in a Singaporean newspaper:
<<
I was holidaying in Phuket with some relatives and friends that fateful night. As it was our last night there, we headed to a pub in Patong for some drinks.
We had hardly warmed our seats when we spotted people racing out of the pub and nearby shops. Soon, everybody was running for his life as news of the earthquake off Sumatra poured in.
We were taken aback by what was happening and were very confused. Our first thought was to link up with my aunt and uncle who were back at the hotel.
We hopped on a tuk-tuk, intending to proceed to the hotel. However, the driver refused to take us to the hotel which faced Karon Beach.
Instead, he insisted on driving us up a hill to safety. What happened next really touched our hearts.
Upon reaching the hilltop, he told us that he would be putting us up at his place for the night till it was safe to go back to the hotel. His house was no bigger than a one-room flat in Singapore. With what little space he and his wife had, they made us feel very much at home and calmed us down.
Understanding our anxiety to contact my aunt and uncle as well as our relatives in Singapore, the tuk-tuk driver went out of his way to learn how to make the calls.
Later he rode out on his bike to check on the situation at our beach resort. He also drove us out to grab a bite in the wee hours of the morning.
When it was safe for us to return in the morning, he drove us to our hotel even though he had not slept at all.
His kindness left us speechless. It was the first time in my life that someone went this far to extend a helping hand.
I am very grateful to the tuk-tuk driver. His kindness made me understand why Thailand is 'The Land of a Thousand Smiles'.
Matthew Lim Hock Kee>>>
<<
I was holidaying in Phuket with some relatives and friends that fateful night. As it was our last night there, we headed to a pub in Patong for some drinks.
We had hardly warmed our seats when we spotted people racing out of the pub and nearby shops. Soon, everybody was running for his life as news of the earthquake off Sumatra poured in.
We were taken aback by what was happening and were very confused. Our first thought was to link up with my aunt and uncle who were back at the hotel.
We hopped on a tuk-tuk, intending to proceed to the hotel. However, the driver refused to take us to the hotel which faced Karon Beach.
Instead, he insisted on driving us up a hill to safety. What happened next really touched our hearts.
Upon reaching the hilltop, he told us that he would be putting us up at his place for the night till it was safe to go back to the hotel. His house was no bigger than a one-room flat in Singapore. With what little space he and his wife had, they made us feel very much at home and calmed us down.
Understanding our anxiety to contact my aunt and uncle as well as our relatives in Singapore, the tuk-tuk driver went out of his way to learn how to make the calls.
Later he rode out on his bike to check on the situation at our beach resort. He also drove us out to grab a bite in the wee hours of the morning.
When it was safe for us to return in the morning, he drove us to our hotel even though he had not slept at all.
His kindness left us speechless. It was the first time in my life that someone went this far to extend a helping hand.
I am very grateful to the tuk-tuk driver. His kindness made me understand why Thailand is 'The Land of a Thousand Smiles'.
Matthew Lim Hock Kee>>>
Comments:
<< Home
A tuk-tuk, in case you're wondering, is a type of vehicle found commonly in south and east Asia. They're built on arcane and crude engines (which contribute considerably to the pollution problems in their natural habitats--large cities). I'm guessing the name 'tuk tuk' comes from their rapidly-putting, Harley-lite noise.
Photos (in both Lego and actual form):
http://www.math.uio.no/~fredrigl/technic/tuk-tuk/
I should mention that Dhaka (the capital of my 'native nation', Bangladesh) recently abolished all of its city's "baby taxis" (tuk tuks) in favor of CNG (compressed natural gas) baby taxis.
Photos (in both Lego and actual form):
http://www.math.uio.no/~fredrigl/technic/tuk-tuk/
I should mention that Dhaka (the capital of my 'native nation', Bangladesh) recently abolished all of its city's "baby taxis" (tuk tuks) in favor of CNG (compressed natural gas) baby taxis.
What's the deal with the tuk tuk made out of legos. Sqb! Where do you find these sites.
Sincerely,
One Impressed Fan
Post a Comment
Sincerely,
One Impressed Fan
# posted by 
: 4/04/2005 03:15:00 PM
: 4/04/2005 03:15:00 PM << Home
