Els regularly stays on Koh Phangan. Her son Robin has opened a coffee cafe on the island.
Today is Loy Krathong.
A major celebration in Thailand that originated in the North,
where the end of the rainy season is now celebrated.
Loy = float
Krathong = a vessel in the shape of a lotus flower.
During Loy Krathong, the Goddess of Water, Mae Kong Ka, is thanked.
She brought abundant rainfall and thus provides enough food and stuff.
You make or buy a boat of leaves, in the shape of a lotus flower.
The Krathong is decorated with a candle, incense, flowers and you put some change in it.
Then the boat (along with hundreds of other boats) is put in the water.
Thai lanterns are also released.
A beautiful sight, little lights everywhere.
Symbolically, these Krathongs also take all your sins and worries from the past year.
What a blessing to load all your misery on it and let it go.
And then hope that the coming year will bring more prosperity.
For new lovers, the party has an extra dimension.
They launch the boats at the same time and if they float together for a long time in the same direction,
does this portend a long and happy relationship.
Sometimes the lovers help the future by secretly tying the boats together.
On Koh Phangan we also celebrate Loy Krathong although the rainy season has barely started.
I reflect on the past year and take a moment to think about it.
Hopefully it won't blow tonight and we can release balloons.
Something that we have been doing for years on special occasions in the Netherlands.
It's always a very nice event.
I don't take any chances and buy 2 Krathongs.
There is quite a lot to let go and hope for.
Been coming to Thailand since 2000 and have experienced Loi Kratong every year.
In many places, but Chiangmai takes the cake.
It takes a Ned committee years to get everything organized there!
That party therefore lasts 5 days in Chiangmai.
I'm here now, and the city has been flooded for a week now. So it really has an impact on tourism here.
Also with us in Pakthongchai it takes 5 days,
but that's because the party starts with
the Chinese New Year, which lasts 5 days
and on the last full moon day there is then Loy Krathong.
Yee Peng Festival (The Lantern Festival) has little to do with Chinese New Year I think.
http://www.chiangmai.bangkok.com/info/yee-peng-festival.htm