STEPPING off the plane and entering the resort where 12 months ago he had helped to pull drowning people from the sea was something Martin Fernando had not been looking forward to.

But he was surprised at the way the Thai island of Phuket – parts of which were virtually destroyed by last year’s tsunami – had managed to redevelop itself in just one year.

When wave after wave struck last Boxing Day, Mr Fernando, his wife and four young children saw the lower floors of their hotel washed away.

Once the initial swell had died down Mr Fernando rushed to the aid of people on the beach who were drowning.

Last year he described the scene thus: ‘I went down to the beach and helped to get people out of the water – there were people swimming for their lives out there.

There were also people running around screaming and looking for their children or their husbands or wives.

The whole place is like a living nightmare and I shall never forget this for as long as I live.’ Speaking from the same resort this week, Mr Fernando said: ‘I can’t believe how well they have all managed to recover.

Those who had insurance have obviously been able to take full advantage of the situation, and I would say that the whole resort has probably moved up a star.’