Phi Phi Islands - Long way from home

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My Father

My father, Robert Murphy passed away on Monday 14th April, aged 85.

I am in Thailand at present on Koh Phi Phi Don island.

In respect of my father, this is not meant to be an obituary, just a few thoughts as I sit in my room a long way from home.

After his heart attack in late 2007 and a stroke in the last few months of his life my father showed great strength in very difficult circumstances.

Some of best memories of my father are when we went fishing at the Grange jetty when I was a child and on our frequent visits to Kangaroo Island. We also went on many fun crabbing trips to Port Parham and St Kilda.

He loved his race horses and football, especially the North Adelaide Football Club and the Adelaide Crows.

Over the last months I have had many hugs and kisses from my father while he has been in hospital. This time was very special to me and I felt very close to him as we chatted about many different subjects.

My father was devoted to his family, we talked about the love of his family and that he missed my late mother very much.

Amongst many other things we discussed were his war service, something he could not easily talk about before as he was in the medical corps in Borneo.

My parents had many friends especially May and Bill Nicks and Merle and Les Phillis. They were always around when I was younger and were always kind and generous to all our family.

My father was a good man and worked hard to look after his family of six children and also loved being with his gandchildren and great grandchildren.

My father’s life was much more than these few words and the last six months were not easy for him. My father loved the sea and today I sat in the Tsunami Memorial Garden at the time of my father's funeral and thought about his life.

The garden is a beautiful spot right next to the beach at Loh Dalum Bay to reminisce about the many persons lost in the tragedy of the tsunami and I thought it would be a suitable place for me to spend some time. I also walked to the Viewpoint, probably one of the most spectacular views on this earth to say a prayer for my father who has gone to a better place with my mother in heaven.

He would have told me to continue travelling and blogging, I am sure of that.

Just right now it doesn't seem to be a good idea, maybe in a week or so.

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Photos

A boat and the sea - his special place
Loh Dalum Bay - Koh Phi Phi Don

Loh Dalum Bay - Koh Phi Phi Don
Just a few metres from the memorial garden

Comments

[Anthea]

Water fights
leon sounds like the water fights were great fun noticed you also had a waterproof jacket on is that cheating. Certainly sounds like a great time to be in Bangkok. Anthea

[leon oz]

Water fighting
I wanted to get to the pub without being totally drenched - it was bedlam in the streets at night