Our trip to Thailand was spent relaxing on the beaches of the southern island of Phuket and then flying to the northern city of Chiang Mai to explore the highlands and witness their annual lantern festival.
Phuket
Known for its beautiful beaches, we visited Phuket Island in southern Thailand. We got some much needed R&R and had our first taste of the relaxed, friendly style of Thai people.
We chose our hotel based on the fact that it catered to families — especially kids. In addition to a water slide, kids club, and a small movie theater showing kids movies each day, the hotel had themed kids activities every night. After being such a good trooper with long-term traveling, we thought Paxton deserved a week of fun.
We found a hidden beach (Merlin Beach) tucked down a dirt road behind a beach resort.
We took a short trip to Phuket City where we walked around the old town filled with colonial buildings.
We snorkeled on several small islands off the southern tip of Phuket. We enjoyed crystal clear water and lots of beautiful sea life.
No trip to Phuket would be complete without witnessing the beautiful sunsets each day.
Every afternoon that we visited Surin Beach (a short walk from our hotel) we saw at least 2 pair of brides and grooms climb the rocky point at the end of the beach to get sunset or twilight portraits. The brides had to carefully traverse the rocks while holding up their dresses…but I’m sure the photos look spectacular.
Chiang Mai
Located in northern Thailand and founded in the 13th century as the capital of the independent Lanna Kingdom until the 16th century, Chiang Mai is a bustling city that retains a smaller town charm. We planned our visit to coincide with the yearly Yee Peng festival, usually held in November. A celebration marking the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, people send krathong (floating banana-leaf containers decorated with flowers and candles) into waterways, and launch huge paper lanterns (kom loi) into the sky. While krathongs are created all over the country, the paper lanterns are unique to northern Thailand and the Lanna culture. It is a magical sight to behold.
We walked to one of the night markets to eat some dinner and look at the local crafts. It was a lively scene with music playing in the background.
One of the most interesting things when visiting new places is learning about the local food, and this market did not disappoint.
Yee Peng Lantern Festival
The festival has various events in the days leading up to the full moon, but the main celebration takes place over two days. On the the first day, we took a walk around the neighborhood and came to a Buddhist temple where a monk was talking to a group of adults and children (in Thai).
Swept up by the festive atmosphere, we decided to get foot massages… Paxton too!
At the municipal center they had a krathong-making contest for local youth. They were works of art.
We got to learn how to make our own krathong, starting with a 2″ slice of a banana tree trunk and then decorated with banana tree leaves, flowers, glitter, incense, and glitter.
Tables with krathongs for sale line the streets. They range from simple to extravagant.
In late afternoon, people start gathering along the banks of the Ping River. We chose to be near the Narwat Bridge.
As darkness set in, we all lit our krathongs and sent them into the river with a wish for the upcoming year.
At various points along the river, large crowds grow at small platforms for everyone to take a turn sending their krathongs into the water. They are released in waterways all throughout the city.
On the Narwat Bridge, people started to light and release lanterns into the sky. This is a beautiful combination of lights on the river and lights in the sky at the same time.
Near the bridge was a celebratory market that had the normal food stalls, but also a performance stage, rides, and an indoor room for kids to play carnival games and go on a bounce slide.
Back at the bridge, more and more lanterns filled the sky.
We took a turn lighting our own lanterns, which operate like hot air balloons. After you light the fuel source, you have to wait a few minutes for enough hot air to fill the lantern before you can let it go.
On the way back to our hotel, we stopped by another Buddhist temple.
The following day we attended an event outside of town. Before the sun set, there were demonstrations of Lanna culture, including dance, traditional pottery, sword making, and other activities while dressed in various traditional clothing.
People launched krathongs in the pond.
When night fell, all the attendees gathered in seats surrounding a large structure dedicated to Buddha. They had dances, prayer, and then lastly, a call to light the lanterns.
Hundreds of people begin lighting and releasing lanterns all at once, filling the sky and creating a milky way effect.
