Remembering Tsunami 2004: ‘I wanted to know’

Searing scene: An aerial photograph taken on Jan 6, 2005, showing the scope of destruction at Banda Aceh after the Dec 26 tsunami. — CHUA KOK HWA/The Star

Sights like this, of fishing vessels miles deep in Banda Aceh, were common. — ART CHEN/ The Star

Maran, who had lost countless relatives and friends, refused to get out of the car, though the 26-year-old former contractor, who had turned to making a living driving journalists around the ravaged parts of Banda Aceh, told me to take my time.