Another natural disaster

You may recall that I was fortunate to spend two weeks in Japan, on a study tour run by the Australian Education Foundation. In that time, I visited some of the most beautiful places that I have ever been to, in my life. I have well over 3000 photographs from this two week trip. Japan is a place of great beauty. Natural beauty that radiates peace and calm and serenity. From the lovely moss gardens and Zen gardens to the quiet pockets of space amidst the busy hustle and bustle of cities like Osaka and Kyoto. I will never forget the falling snow and watching the sunrise and sunset.

Japan is a country that lies on a rather active fault line. When in Japan, I recall on a number of occasions, being told about how they were due for the 'big one.' By that, they were referring to the big tsunami and big earthquake that would devastate their country.

My heart goes out to the Japanese people and my condolences to those who have lost loved ones and their homes.

There is so much devastation in the world at the moment. Floods in QLD and Victoria, bushfires in WA, earthquake in Christchurch, unrest in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia to name but a few and now the earthquake in Japan and tsunami to hit countries in the Pacific.

I will most certainly keep everyone in my thoughts and prayers. What a dreadful beginning to 2011. I hope and pray that such devastation is over and people can begin to rebuild their lives.

Something that is most apparent is the sheer wonderment of the devastation that natural disasters can cause and at the same time, be so spectacular in how quickly they move. I have the greatest respect for nature. It is so beautiful and so seductive. Nature lets us believe that we are in control, yet seeing images of the mud slide just take in large homes like they were made of paper, shows how nature can assert her power and ferocity.