DAY 2 : THAILAND : BANGKOK

Weather : showers - fine at night : 30+o

 

Out and about in central Bangkok

 

Elderly buskers

 

 

Lunch at food stalls at a local market

 

Today is the lunar festival of Loy Krathong

(Floating Boat festival). The staff at the embassy

brought individual offerings to float on the

compound pond.

 

Anita made her own floating boat.

Buddhists believe that you send

all your stress and problems away

by floating this offering.

 

Many of the bases are made of

bread and were devoured by the

huge goldfish in the pond.

 

Mark and I decided to join in the city's celebration

of the festival down by the river. We took the

skytrain to the river and availed ourselves of the

free hotel ferry service to the Mandarin Oriental

Hotel to get a good view.

 

We were unaware that the hotel had their own

cultural celebration and we were able to

purchase tickets for the buffet meal and

evening of traditional music and dance.

 

Tables and stage by the river.

Balmy night with entertainment by local regional

groups and activity along the river.

 

 

Each department of the hotel had made their

own (massive) floating offering, which were

launched into the hotel pool, where the buffet

was served.

 

Hotel staff in traditional costume.

 

 

Dancing and music from various regions

 

A very special celebration for the last night

of our holiday.

 

Fireworks to end the evening.

 

 

 

 

Thank you all for sharing our journey! It certainly has been diverse and extremely satisfying.

Our next adventure is to Northern India and Nepal, where we will walk the Anapuna Circuit (23 days) in March/ April next year. Let us know if you are interested in joining us - we begin walking on Aprl 1st. www.nirekaadventures.com

If we can get wifi we will resurrect the blog to share our experiences again.

 

Best wishes,

Meg and Mark

 

28/11/12

 

Our email : mm_smith@bigpond.net.au