First experience staying abroad on a business trip — Who’s shaking my bed?

▲ Illustration of a overwater bungalow. (Photo / Reporter Li Zi Yi)

By Rookie Reporter

What’s the scariest thing you fear encountering in an unfamiliar place? As a travel journalist, I have many opportunities to go on business trips, and one thing that really matters to us is whether the accommodation is “clean.” Especially since there are plenty of ghost stories set in hotels in movies. Although this incident wasn’t particularly eerie, it’s a true story from my own experience.

This was my first overseas business trip, and the destination was Thailand, a country rich in Buddhist culture. Being my first time abroad, I was filled with excitement and anticipation. The overwater bungalow we were staying in made me especially thrilled, as someone who had lived in the city for so long. Built over the river, the bungalow gently swayed with the water and, paired with a sky full of stars, just imagining it felt romantic.

In the evening, we had a simple meal inside the bungalow, which helped ease the fatigue from the day’s travel. Being really tired, I went back to my room early to enjoy some personal downtime. The gentle swaying of the overwater bungalow was especially soothing, and before I knew it, I fell fast asleep.

Early the next morning during breakfast, Miss C from the neighboring room asked everyone in confusion, “Was there an earthquake around 11 PM last night? My bed was shaking like crazy!” I, who had fallen asleep by 10 PM, shook my head and, in true Detective Conan fashion, started asking those around me. Nearly ten people in the group all said no. Mr. W also mentioned, “I wasn’t asleep until after midnight, but I didn’t feel any intense shaking like an earthquake…”