- Pulau Bidong State Of Mind

One Saturday morning, the loudspeakers announced my name from a list of those now permitted to leave the island.

The day of my departure arrives!

When it came time to leave the only personal belongings that came with me were three sets of clothes. Two baggy sets had been given to me by the camp’s social department. The third set was the clothes that I had worn throughout my journey; clothes which had been filthy and drenched in seawater. Because of this, I was able to quickly pack up my belongings and get ready. Now, I am on the Jetty waiting to board the Blue Dart, its destination: Kuala Lumpur. Oh, how can I express the overwhelming euphoria that engulfed me at that moment? I was speechless with joy and had tears of happiness streaming down my face as I rejoiced at the prospect of a new life.

As I waited on the Jetty, I heard a very popular song being played on the camp’s loudspeakers. It was a famous song named “Remembering the Sea.” This was the most suitable song that allowed for me to wave goodbye to a place which had nursed me back to health from the brink of death. We had arrived as frail skeletons near collapse from lack of food and we now left as healthy and hopeful people looking forward to a bright new future. The Pulau Bidong Refugee Camp was a miracle as it served to take care of all those under its protection and nursed all of its Boat People residents healthy again after the storm in their lives had died down.

The month of April is a sad time for the Vietnamese people as it brings back dark memories of the unwanted regime change and the resulting creation and need for the boat people.

When I look back on my journey across the ocean I think all the boat people suffered in varying degrees similar circumstances such as:

o Terror, danger, rough weather conditions, near death experiences, fear of death, etc.

The Vietnamese boat people must express their sincerest gratitude to God and Buddha for opening their kindly arms to protect and save them so that they could survive and have the chance at a new life.

- Goodbye and thank you Pulau Bidong! You will be in my heart always!

- Thank you to your lovely golden sand for welcoming me as I stepped from the rough unforgiving ocean waves onto its smooth surface, its earthy peaceful feel putting my mind at ease. This precious feeling enveloped my mind, an untouchable feeling that was truly miraculous and priceless. However, to gain this feeling I paid the high price of going through this terrible ordeal on the ocean, an ordeal which will be burned into my memory for the rest of my life.

Pulau Bidong was a gateway to paradise; a portal which I had to pass through in order to have the chance to fulfill my hopes and dreams. This was the end of one unforgettable chapter in my life and the beginning of a new one, a fresh beginning filled with freedom and the promise of a new life. The hardships which I endured helped to shape me into the person I am today and made me determined to successfully achieve even the most difficult goals. This adversity helped to define me as one of the Vietnamese Boat People.

I will remember you forever!

Pulau Bidong State of Mind!

Nov 20, 2015

Page 215 - 218 in the book

Pulau Bidong State Of Mind

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