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Travel Journals
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A Thai Wedding
We got married in Koh Samui, Thailand on January 18, 2008. We planned another wedding in Corpus Christi, Texas in May 2008 for our loved ones.
We decided to travel Thailand for several reasons. I am a Buddhist and wanted to see the absolutely fabulous temples (wats) that Thailand has. We also love the beach, and the beaches are so beautiful there. Brian is a surfer and we hoped there would be surf (but since the tsunami hit the coral reefs have been broken—which makes it great for snorkeling and boating!).
Our most memorable experience of the trip would be our wedding. We got married beside a waterfall (Bin Laude waterfall) in a Buddhist monastery. We had a traditional Buddhist wedding which was performed by nine monks. Buddhist weddings always take place in the morning because monks only eat before noon. We sat down in the monastery and waited for the monks as the sky turned dark and began to pour down rain. During the ceremony it rained and the monks chanted prayers for us. The sound was so peaceful! The older monk said that rain is good luck because rain makes things grow. For a bride and groom it symbols that their love with continue to grow. When the ceremony ended and we offered the food for the monks, the rain stopped and the sun came out.
Our Cox and Kings guide stayed through the wedding and took us back to our resort. We stayed at Anantara in Koh Samui and it was first class all the way. I wanted to live there—I have never seen such a beautiful and peaceful place before. The staff was extremely pleasant and helpful. They filled our tub with flower petals and candles on a daily basis. How wonderful is that?
I don't think we would change anything—everything exceeded our expectations. I am glad that we went to Bangkok first, and then went to Koh Samui. We had the city life of Bangkok and stayed at the Peninsula, which was awesome. Their staff was great, they even gave us a wedding card.
The people of Thailand are very friendly and peaceful. They take great pride in everything they do. Even though they are poor they have such a happy aura about them. The country smelled great because they burned incense everywhere. Our guide Ms. Vichuya Petcharat (Vee) became our friend. I cannot explain enough how much she meant to us on this trip. She taught us so much about Buddhism and Thailand. She was very knowledge and was willing to share so much. I felt completely comfortable around her and appreciated her insights. If anyone goes to Bangkok please set up a tour with her you will not be disappointed!
I would suggest to anyone traveling to use a tour guide and to have someone else plan your trip. Then you don't have to worry about anything. You can show up and enjoy your vacation with no worries. The tour guides are extremely helpful, you can see the beautiful of something but when you have someone to explain it to you, you develop a new appreciation for it. If you are in somewhere with another language, it is a comfort to know there is someone there to translate for you. The Thai people spoke English well—everywhere we went, we felt comfortable.
Cox and Kings were really good to us, and everything flowed together. We never worried about transportation, language barrier or safety—they made it a trip of a lifetime! On our ten year wedding anniversary we hope to spend a month in India, and know that Cox and Kings will take as good of care of us then as they did in Thailand! We will for sure have them plan our next celebration!
—Erica and Brian Knoop
Do you have a C&K travel story you would like to share? We'd love to hear from you! Submit your travel tales and reflections to tours@coxandkingsusa.com.
Travel Journals
Laos, Land of a Million Elephants
Nat Waring's North Island, Seychelles Report
Memsahib in the Kitchen
The Tigers of Rathambore
Life Along the Ayeyarwady
North Island, Seychelles
Our Honeymoon To Kenya
Our Stay at North Island
Bali and Sumba Islands, Indonesia
Peru and the Inti Raymi Festival
Northern Thailand & Myanmar
Going Native in Malaysia
Bhutan, Nepal, Cambodia & Thailand
Exploring Ethiopia
Falling in Love—with India
A Perfect Safari to Kenya and Tanzania
A Thai Wedding
Indochina Sojourn
Family Safari to Tanzania
Exploring Malaysia
Our Dream Family Safari to South Africa
Safari to Botswana
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