I'm reclaiming it as my own. :) Reclaiming? That's not quite right. I'm realizing that it is my own.
I didn't know how it would feel coming back here. I didn't know if this place was reserved for that event. But thankfully I have barely thought about the wedding. And not in a mean way. It has my utmost respect, but it's in the past and has no reason to be in the forefront.
As I was mapping out the rooms of this place for future reference, and I came across the wedding site, I went and stood there and took a few moments of reflection. That's when I got a little emotional. Almost because I forced it because I thought I should be. And more because I miss the people that were so present then and are gone now. The two Judys really. Two of my mom's. And also happy for what a cool day it was. I took a moment. Then I moved on and continued to enjoy paradise.
It's really nothing short of miraculous that this place hasn't changed after all these years! So many places are being paved over because the tourists demand swimming pools and air conditioning and modern conveniences; things that don't reflect Thailand, the nature, the beauty, the culture.
The restaurant is exactly the same. I remember Steve Haider ordering a whole fish
The rooms are exactly the same
He was there 10 years ago (for his honeymoon!) and he said it was perfect. Now it's all motorbikes and hotels with swimming pools. He suggested we don't tell anybody about this place. LoL
I considered not releasing the name of where I am in my various social media posts, but I figured nobody really reads my stuff anyway. LoL I also figure that if this place hasn't changed in over 20 years, it probably won't be changing anytime soon.
And quite honestly this place won't appeal to the majority. It's too rustic for most people.
I think this morning I will treat myself to breakfast and coffee.
I finally downloaded Wise (at the suggestion of the hotel owner's daughter). We'll see how it goes. I only cost me something like 17 cents to ACH transfer money from my bank account. Now we'll see what the conversion is to transfer money to the hotel's Wise account in Thai baht.
At least now I won't have to worry so much about having enough cash since I decided to stay extra days here.
Okay now that I was going to find photos to upload for this blog post, I'm unsure if I even know which bungalow or where exactly we got married. LoL 23 years, maybe they've rebuilt all the bungalows.
Yep, that's me all young and skinny!
I had thought this might have been the same bungalow from the photo of me in the wedding dress but now I don't think it is.
