Loy Kratong 2008
MAKE A WISH!
This year the full moon was on November 12th and 13th so the Loy Kratong festival was held on those days. The river is very full since it's the end of the rainy season and people gather by the river to float their kratongs (little rafts made out of banana leaves and flowers) and to make wishes for the coming year. We had the opportunity to see the festivities from a raft in the middle of the river. It was a completely different perspective...to see all the people gathered on the banks of the river and we also got to see the river parade floats up close. The second day we gathered at the newly-reconstructed clocktower area. After a year of construction, it looks great! It's finally a proper roundabout with the city hall situated in one corner and a nice peaceful little park in another. We watched traditional Thai dancing and musical performances as well as some amazing dancers from Sipsong Panna in China. The parade came by and we watched all the floats lit up with christmas lights and candles. People were sending hot-air lanterns into the sky and so the sky was full of these twinkling lights. Otto says it was the most charming Loy Kratong celebration he's ever seen.
Our crew on the raft on the river. Nadine, David, Ya Ling, Jeab and Oli. This raft was a bit dangerous. It was made out of bamboo and sprung a few leaks. Also, people were shooting fireworks at us!
One of the awesome floats in the night parade
Sudha and her granddaughter Bapu getting ready to float their kratong
The beautiful "kom loy" lanterns that people float into the sky
Otto and I with our "boat kratong" before we set it free on the river. Hangin' at the I Love Coffee shop.
Me and Yui (the owner of I Love Coffee)
The bridge by the Wang river all lit up
Josh with his lovely kratong made by Yui's mom
Some beautiful lanterns set up along the street
This year the full moon was on November 12th and 13th so the Loy Kratong festival was held on those days. The river is very full since it's the end of the rainy season and people gather by the river to float their kratongs (little rafts made out of banana leaves and flowers) and to make wishes for the coming year. We had the opportunity to see the festivities from a raft in the middle of the river. It was a completely different perspective...to see all the people gathered on the banks of the river and we also got to see the river parade floats up close. The second day we gathered at the newly-reconstructed clocktower area. After a year of construction, it looks great! It's finally a proper roundabout with the city hall situated in one corner and a nice peaceful little park in another. We watched traditional Thai dancing and musical performances as well as some amazing dancers from Sipsong Panna in China. The parade came by and we watched all the floats lit up with christmas lights and candles. People were sending hot-air lanterns into the sky and so the sky was full of these twinkling lights. Otto says it was the most charming Loy Kratong celebration he's ever seen.
Our crew on the raft on the river. Nadine, David, Ya Ling, Jeab and Oli. This raft was a bit dangerous. It was made out of bamboo and sprung a few leaks. Also, people were shooting fireworks at us!
One of the awesome floats in the night parade
Sudha and her granddaughter Bapu getting ready to float their kratong
The beautiful "kom loy" lanterns that people float into the sky
Otto and I with our "boat kratong" before we set it free on the river. Hangin' at the I Love Coffee shop.
Me and Yui (the owner of I Love Coffee)
The bridge by the Wang river all lit up
Josh with his lovely kratong made by Yui's mom
Some beautiful lanterns set up along the street
posted by Jen @ 6:47 PM
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