People make their special Krathong, which is a floating boat made from sections of a banana tree trunk and decorated with banana leaves, flowers, joss sticks and candles. Everyone gathers at the waters edge, lights the joss sticks and candles and makes a wish. They then careful place the Krathong in the water and watch it float away. The belief is that all their sins and bad luck are taken away by the Krathong, whilst it also contains their wishes for the start of the New Year. It makes for a spectacular sight as hundreds of small Krathongs float away into the dark night.
People getting ready to lauch their Krathongs.
Krathongs in the water.
Unfortunately, the weather had not been too kind for this year’s event. It had rained heavily before and the threat of more rain hung ominously above, obscuring the full moon. The street market along the front and the special fairground area were still busy but it was extremely muddy under foot.
Krathong in the Competition.
They were holding a competition for the best decorated Krathong. The table was filled with large offerings that were way larger than anything we had seen being launched by the river. I think they were more for show than the practical use of being put to sea. Further along the road and they had the traditional fairground stalls such as the coconut shy and my favourite the shooting range. I was pretty pleased with my efforts but alas did not win a prize.
I think he would be dead.
We left the fair behind and began to explore the back streets of Krabi Town. The road running parallel with the sea road appeared to be the main hive of activity for the locals. Indeed, it was home to the rather English sounding "Crazy Bar" which was packed with locals enjoying the loud disco music. The place had the air con on to the max and it was freezing cold. Too cold for a beer so we left them to it. We continued along the road back towards our hotel to find the strangest of crossroads junction. Large monkey statues were holding the traffic lights. They appeared menacing in the dark night sky.
Gorillas in the mist!
We headed back to the Old West bar to have a nightcap. A great bar playing decent music rather than the techo pop crap being played in the Crazy bar. The insides of the bar were decorated with various "Wild West" images and we had become used to lounging on the deck, lying on the floor cushions and drinking bottles of Heineken housed in an insulating holder. The place was a wooden shack built between two large trees that sprouted out of the roof. It all created a great atmosphere.
Relaxing in the Old West Bar.
On our way home and a few locals were launching another "Loy Krathong" special, a sky lantern. This is basically a cylindrical frame built with bamboo strips and covered in a natural fibre mulberry paper. At the base a kerosene soaked rag is attached and set alight. The lantern is held down until sufficient heat is generated for it to ascend into the night sky. The sky was dotted with several sky lanterns as they floated away on the breeze, with the belief that they were carrying all the problems and worries away of the people who launch them.
Sky Lantern launched.
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