Is anyone else worried about hurricanes and their DW?

[Angel_eh]

Krys, I feel like I must clarify myself,

 

When I asked why there were no post ike photos posted for the PRDO, I wasn’t assuming that the locals would be out taking photos of the damage. I’m sure they are busy with all the items you listed in your post. Of course they have much more to cope with than getting a photo opportunity.

 

However; I was hoping that a tourist would be taking photo’s post Ike (that’s what I would do) and then when they got home, post them. All the tourists are home from the PRDO and still, no photos. Lots of video and photos of other resorts but none from PRDO. I find that a bit odd. Maybe it’s not as bad as they are saying at our resort. I’d like to see for myself, and I’m sure that relish is anxious too.

 

This is a destination wedding forum and we were asked the question if we were concerned. When you plan your wedding for a year, it’s pretty hard to stay calm when something like this happens. I meant no disrespect for the people who live there and have to cope with this devastation. I can only state how I feel and I’m a nervous wreck. Thanks for listening.

[Tropical Imaging]

Angel,

I completely understand, and it's going to be a super day I know. What I was trying to get across, not too well obviously, is that no pictures at this point are a good thing. We've found that the tourists on the island when our storms hit (although most were evacuated), were posting damaged areas all over the web, but there were still no photos of the resorts...because there wasn't any damage to show...so no one took photos of a regular resort with no damage...how exciting is that?

 

 

Still 5 days later, the only photos of resorts on island are the ones my hubby went around and took with the specific purpose to show the resorts in good condition (and some people don't believe it).

 

I guarantee you if there had been major damage and a tourist had seen it, the photos would be all over right now...it's the way the world is. Photos of no damage will take a while because people aren't thinking about that in the resorts. The fact there has been a positive press release is a great sign, they don't do that if things aren't good.

 

Long post short...No photos is good news....I can't guarantee anything, but the only resort that had damage where we were, announced it within 24 hours of the storm leaving, The rest of the resorts that were fine took 5-6 days and some are just issuing all is fine reports now...

 

I need to go into Hurricane Public Relations for these resorts....they don't realize the stress on the guests not knowing anything!

 

Keep your hopes high.

 

Krys

[Tropical Imaging]

And Angel, I completely understand the anxiety involved with this...especially because it is something you can't control (I was in bits when we came to the US leaving hubby on island). Our internet came up yesterday and we have been dealing with so many emails from our brides who have been sick with worry. I hope you get some good news sooner rather than later.

 

Good Luck,

Krys

[rodent]

I think eventually we'll have satalite imaging as soon as a storm hits so you can see the damage ASAP. I actually thought that technology was around already but it looks like it was just done after katrina. the technology exists, it just isn't being done yet. but it will be nice once is available.

 

right now I'm supressing my nerves, but i won't be OK until after ike hits & I can find out how our family is doing. right now we are just waiting, knowing the storm will hit but we have no real idea of how it will go. the worst is when the power gets knocked out, phone lines are down & you can get intouch with anyone.

 

I know how hard it is to wait, hoping for the best but worrying about the worst. but what I've learned from my experiences is that what helps me the most is to distract myself as much as possible until I can learn the truth.

 

It really makes me sick how the media flys people into these areas just to sensationalize it. and then they are all reporting the same thing over & over. if they'd just drive their cameras around & show the main parts of town that would be so much mroe helpful to people worried. That's why I'm so excited about the day that we can just go online & zoom in on an area.

[Angel_eh]

Thanks Kyrs for your response. I am feeling better already!

[Angel_eh]

Just saw this video on youtube:

 

YouTube - PRDO Pool after IKE

[Tropical Imaging]

Okay Angel, this is good and I am going to tell you why!

 

Pools get all sort of muck in them during hurricanes, and it overwhelms the chlorine...(think of 40 dirty construction workers all using the same bathtub of water.) They need to do some good vacuuming and skimming and shocking it and I would say in a week or so at most it will be beautiful blue.

 

The Trees are standing!!!! and have a lot of foilage on them...Which means a few days of clean up and trim work it will be beautiful.

 

The Thatching on the cabana area to the left lost some but not everything...Thatching is a fairly quick repair and not reliant on getting supplies from elsewhere.

 

The pool cabana (with the pool roof) is standing, if it had been a really bad hit, the way hurricanes come through the roof would be gone. (our sun porch is actually designed to tear away and save our regular roof because it would be much more vulnerable to lift off).

 

Finally, No concrete or structure damage, that I could see, and based on the video if there had been structural damage, I think it would have been on video.

 

My guess it was done the morning after...I would expect the resort is quite on it's way to being back to it's beautiful self soon!

 

I've seen a lot of "after a hurricane looks" up close and personal, and while this might be "shocking", I think you will be good to go especially as morgan said there was a press release saying things were good. Videos always show the "worst" and this is all minor and quick fixes.

 

Krys

[relish.77]

I've been back and forth on emotion. I feel horrible that I'm worrying about a wedding when so much has happened to the Cuban people. But, as Angel stated, it's impossible not to freak out when you've spent over a year researching the country, the resort and the details for your WEDDING, only to be told it may not happen and you have to do all that work over again.

 

The video on Youtube is actually comforting. Yes there is damage, but it does look repairable. So hard to wrap your head around the truth as there are SO many completely different accounts of the events and the damage. I truly want to believe my travel agent, who states all is fine, but I just can't trust it until I can see it with my own eyes. Having no control or power over the biggest day of your life feels horrible. I don't want to research new resorts, I chose the PRDO for a reasona and I can't even imagine not being able to get married there. I've gotten close to the wedding planner and can't wait to meet her (again, only hoping the best for her, her family and everyone else in the entire country!).

 

I truly hope that more pictures surface in the next few weeks so that I can feel comfortable going there and knowing that the trip will go well. Again, if this were just any old trip, who cares. But ladies, you all know how much work you've put into your own wedding plans, and imagine how you'd feel only weeks from the day.

 

I'm trying to keep my hopes up, I want nothing more than to be at the PRDO on Oct 11 and having a fabulous time.

 

PS- Angel- when do you fly out and when is your wedding? Perhaps I'll see you there!

[rodent]

i agree- the video footage looks positive. the flimsy roof on the pool bar looks perfect & the trees look good.

[Angel_eh]

Krys, thanks for your incouragement. I agree with the video, it looks like they have a big cleanup ahead of them but it doesn't look like the place is ruined. Relish, I won't be there until the end of November....I have 10 weeks to go! My travel agent says that this hotel chain is a big one and that they will be working around the clock to get it up and running and to restore it's beauty. I truly hope that you have the chance to get married there. If you need to talk, or vent or even cry.....email me and we can touch base. [email protected] Angela