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In addition to diving with whale sharks we took a day off so that Randy, Robbie and I could tour the local rain forest. We were looking for monkeys, but found much more.
Edmond, our guide, placed the outboard in gear, and we headed into the heart of the Belizean tropical rain forest. If we got lucky we’d find monkeys along the rivers. Unfortunately we were not that lucky, but there was plenty of other wild life to see. Every couple of minutes Edmond slowed the boat to show us another jungle species.
“Edmond taking us into the rain forest.”
“Bats along the rivers edge.”
“There were plenty of crocodiles.”
“A tree climbing blue crab.”
Eventually our guide pulled over to the rivers edge and tied the boat up. He told us to wait, as he would return shortly. Almost and hour later Edmond returned with good news. He had found a family of monkeys, but it would be a half hour slog through the forest to see them. We jumped off the boat into knee high water, and made our way to the trail covered in calf high water. I didn’t have the guts to ask about snakes, and I had already seen the local crocodiles as we waded into the jungle. I was just ahead of my youngest son Robbie when he yells at me to stop.
“Dad, there’s a giant spider on your back and he’s crawling all over the place.”
“Well get him off me.”
Robbie being the caring, loving son that’s always concerned about his father’s well being replied. “I’m not touching that thing,” as he backed away from me.
Now what? Fortunately Edmond had heard the commotion, and came back to see what the problem was. He told me to turn around, and with a flick of his machete the spider was gone. His only comment, “We have much bigger spiders than that.” Oh great. So now I have to worry about giant man eating spiders, crocodiles and snakes, and who knows what else? We continued on our journey until finally Edmond stopped and pointed up into the trees. “Do you see that black spot on the highest limb?”
“No.”
“Well that’s a monkey. Oh, and over there way up in the tree is another one. Do you see it?”
“No.”
“That’s too bad because monkeys like to live in the top of the forest canopy.”
Eventually I was able to pick out a couple of black spots high in the trees. We made it back to the boat without further incidents, if you exclude a bazillion mosquito bites. Don’t they have malaria down here? On the way back to the dock we past by some monkeys in the trees right next to the river. We didn’t even have to leave the boat to see them.
“We finally got to see a monkey.”
“A passing turtle while diving on the reef.”
-Tom Miller
Author of “The Wave” – a Chuck Palmer Adventure novel -
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Preface
On July 9, 1958, a magnitude 8.3 earthquake struck Lituya Bay, Alaska, dislodging approximately 40 million cubic yards of rock from the surrounding mountainsides. This landslide generated the largest wave ever recorded in human history. The mega-tsunami that decimated Lituya Bay up-rooted trees over 1,700 feet above sea level. Because of its remoteness only two lives were lost.
The Big Island of Hawaii is literally surrounded by under-sea landslides of colossal size. Many of these slides displaced thousands of cubic kilometers of water, generating mega-tsunamis of unimaginable dimensions. Scientists have recently identified tsunami deposits left by these incredible waves over 1,600 feet above the ancient sea level. While the most recent mega-tsunami to strike the Hawaiian Islands happened approximately 100,000 years ago, that doesn’t mean another one couldn’t happen tomorrow. When it does, there may not be any warning.
Geologists are concerned that the western flank of Cumbre Vieja Volcano on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands could catastrophically collapse during a future eruption. If this were to happen anywhere from 150 to 500 cubic kilometers of rock would plummet into the sea. The resulting mega-tsunami could be as much as 50 meters (165ft) high when it strikes the East Coast of North America. Of course this devastating tsunami would pale in comparison to The Wave.
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See What Others Are Saying About The Wave
This is an exhilarating thriller that extrapolates scientific data on undersea earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and tsunamis to paint an incredible action-packed tale. The story line is fast-paced from the moment the first wave struck and never slows down as the mega tsunami is coming. Although the hitmen subplot adds suspense, it feels inanely out of place in comparison to the strong scientific fact-finding as increasingly a monster tsunami caused by earthquakes and volcanoes frighten the scientists on the project as that would devastate the Pacific Rim including the American West Coast. –Harriet Klausner
Obviously the author has some serious geologic training as he has cleverly written a story that is fact based to the point of making the tale completely plausible and even believable. As a published author, I have particular appreciation for great storytelling and this book delivers. The story and characters jump to life and the tale skates through seamlessly and keeps the reader locked in his or her seat throughout. Tom Miller clearly had a great story to tell and delivered in spades. Great book. –Stan Fridstein
Tom Miller's "The Wave" is outstanding; an absolutely riveting tale. It's packed with vivid imagery & incredible detail (the thoroughness of the research is apparent from cover to cover). From the opening pages, the heroes race against time & long odds as they piece together the critical scientific evidence. Everything builds into a finale that roars with the ferocity & abandon of a monstrous roller-coaster. A real page-turner, I can't wait for Tom Miller's next book & "The Wave" to come out as a movie (3D would be INTENSE!).–Andrew Kneeter
I know Tom Miller and expected a good book but I was amazed at how compelling it is! It kept me up past midnight twice and I meant to stop reading around 10pm. This is a fun and gripping story that is reminiscent of Michael Crichton's style of scientifically based thrilling story telling. Tom has traveled the world and done things most movie stars haven't even done! He's a remarkable guy with a great personal story in addition to the ones he tells in his books. Add Tom to your preferred authors list. You'll love the journeys. –Jim Cathcart
Just finished Reading Tom Millers 'The Wave' and I had to take a drink to get my heart to stop pounding. What a GREAT first book! With the nonstop action and amazing detail, not only did I love the ride but I actually learned something along the way. The ending seemed to set us up for a possible sequel (one could hope). –Jeffery T. Holden