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Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai has been celebrating Loy Krathong festival for the last 3 days. It is a huge festival similar to Madri Gras in Rio de Janiero, New Years Eve in New York City or when the Lakers won the NBA Finals. K, I just had to throw in the Lakers because I know the season has started without me. You get the idea though, the party goes non stop with 1,000s of hot air balloons lighting up the sky and an equal amount of krathong floats being sent down the Ping River. Firecrackers are sold on every corner, along with food, beer, flower floats and the balloon. It is truly an energetic celebrations for both the Thai people and the many foreigners that arrive to celebrate the festival.
Loy Krathong is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai calendar, which this year is November 1-3.
“Loi” means “to float”. “Krathong” is a raft made from a section of banana tree trunk (although modern-day versions use specially made bread ‘flowers’ and decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, incense sticks etc. During the night of the full moon, many people will release a small raft like this on a river.
This is exactly how the sky looked the last 3 nights during the festival. These are professional pictures, not my own. My camera could not capture the incredible brilliance of these balloons lighting up the night time sky.
The act of floating away the candle raft is symbolic of letting go of all ones grudges, anger and defilement’s, so that one can start life afresh on a better foot. Self reflecting, this festival arrived apropos to celebrate what Thailand has done for my spirit. My new book: Thailand – 60 days to a New Woman, is due to be published next fall….just kidding. As the Buddhists would say, I have received Enlightenment. Life has changed….all for the positive!!! Relaxed, Rejuvenated and Reflective…..an Island of Calm.