Loy Krathong Festival 2545
(Yee Peng Festival 2002)
Welcome to the Loy Krathong Festival 2545, Chiang Mai, Thailand. ((For those of you in the West, the year is 2545 on the Thai Callendar - don't worry you didn't suddenly get 543 years older.))
Loy Krathong, Yee Peng Festival is one of the most extraordinary experiences. It's a ritual to mark the end of the rainy season, a thanks and a celebration.
Oh, definitely a celebration...
Chiang
Mai was a fortified city, and throughout the city you find evidence of
it's ancient history. One of the most obvious features is the wall.
There is a moat around the wall too. For the Festival, they decorate the moat with lighted flowers.
The Thais are a decorative people. They have the, 'Might as well make it beautiful' mentality.
I like that.
The
first thing we did on our way down the parade route was to stop for food.
It smells nice! It looks nice! Yes, I'd like some chocolate!
Yes, I'll have some... Is that Nestle' condensed milk?
Yes? Ok, I'll have some of that too! Yum.
We continue on our way.
Munch, munch, hmmm.
What's that taste?
Ick. What's that taste?!!?!
Ick. Mayonnaise?!!
Gross! Bleugh. (( Tila's sorry now she got extra! ))
Thais. Their strange food combinations confuse me sometimes...
Move your mouse over this photo (left) to see the firework light up the sky!!
It wouldn't be a celebration if there
wasn't someone selling cotton candy (candy floss),
would it?
And the parades!
Beautiful!
The parades were awe inspiring.
The people were so dedicated, so passionate about being part of such a spectacular celebration.
The floats were so beautifully intricate.
It was obvious the amount of care & devotion that went into creating such wonders!
Each
float had a theme and
were judged at the
grandstand outside the
Municipal Building
(which just happened to be
two blocks from our hotel!).
I find it interesting that some people can still manage to be meditative in the middle of such chaos... beautiful.
The
river, also lined with stands, was a hub of activity.
Imagine firecrackers, bottle-rockets, and every other possible kind of firework going off over the river at the same time - for several hours! That's Loy Krathong.
Here is a photo of our favourite stand....ROTI banana & chocolate!!
There were beauty pageants each niqht - one for every age category.
The
river was full of Krathongs, small offerings & prayers for the end
of the season. They are made by placing flowers on a ring of banana-tree
trunk (to float).
Roll over with the mouse to see Vibodha lighting his and making his wish as he puts the krathong in the river!
That
together with incense & candles makes them complete.
You take your krathong, light the incense & candles, say a prayer & set it in the flowing water.
Here is Tila lighting hers!
[Move your mouse over the photograph (left) with your mouse!]
This is one of the Award Winning Krathongs!!!!
It is so intricate. I give it top marks!
The
noise was unbelievable!! There were constant firecrackers and fireworks
going off and the activity happened all around the river which is JUST
BEHIND our house..so we walked to the celebration!!
[Thanks Nirav and Vistara for the Hotel recommendation!]
EVERYONE came out!! The place was absolutely PACKED JAMMED TIGHT with people!!!
Everyone enjoyed the parade and the atmosphere was electric!!
Everybody, really everybody was there! The whole town.
These
guys were great - the drum sounds they were creating were awesome.
On one the main young guys was really into it and was making great sounds!!
The fireworks were spectacular.
The festival was fantastic.
Loy Krathong 2545
Thailand
(2002)