Local Man Flees Tsunami, Tracks Journey Online

As the widespread catastrophe in southeast Asia began to unfold, news of the tragedy quickly spread around the world.

Video

San Diego Man Escapes Tsunami Track Brandon's Journey Online

A Rancho Bernardo couple, whose only son is traveling in Thailand, first heard the news Christmas night when they got a call from France.

"(My sister) woke us up and said, 'Do you know that there's been a big earthquake? Where is Brandon? Where is he staying because it's hitting Thailand too,'" said Cary Behle about the phone call she received from her sister.

Behle's son, 22-year-old Brandon, spent Christmas on the Thai island of Koh Phi-Phi.

Brandon's parents sat glued to their television after learning Ko Phi Phi was among the many areas destroyed by tsunamis. They worried that their only son had been swept away with thousands of other victims.

Nearly 30 hours later, they received the call that eased their fears.

"This woman just said, 'Is this Brandon's mother? Brandon Behle is OK,'" Meg Behle recalled.

Brandon, who began his journey to Asia at the beginning of December, has been tracking his trip online. Now, he's sharing his experience with the world.

"I'm alive and unharmed. Yes, we were hit by a tsunami and it wiped out the island. I am safe on the mainland. I have lost my passport, Visa, and ATM card," Brandon wrote on his online journal.

His parents learned that for two straight days, Brandon helped evacuate injured survivors and searched for bodies. He described it in his weblog as horrible and gruesome.

Brandon is now on his way to Bangkok to get another Visa and he's still deciding whether or not to continue his journey through Asia.

"Actually, we feel that's his decision," Behle said.