Thailand
Chiang Mai 1 - Thai Thai Hostel - 7/11 > 9/11

Flew to Chiang Mai and experienced the Loy Krathong Festival, known as Thailand Light and Water Festival.

- Backpackers either leave Bangkok and travel up to Chiang Mai or go south to the islands and beaches. I chose to fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai as it’s only an hour’s flight opposed to the 10-hour bus slog. This town came as an unexpected relief, a comprehendible sized town that is slower and quieter compared to Bangkok’s craziness.
- First night I visited the towns river festival where locals place a krathong into rivers to seek forgiveness for contaminating them, along with expressing gratitude to the goddess of water, Phra Mae Khongkha. It was very touching to witness, a display of love and joy between families and friends. For me, a great time to practice night photography.
- The morning after I joined others from a backpackers WhatsApp group to a waterpark full of inflatables, slides and obstacle courses, we had a great laugh.
- That night I went to a hostel event which involved an hour’s bus journey out of town to where the locals gather to release lanterns into the sky. Another abundance of emotions, such a sight to see, a very magical night is the only way I can put it into words. We each obtained our own lanterns to release into the sky and when doing so it felt amazing to be a part of it all. When I finally told the group it was my birthday, they surprised me with a chicken nugget on a stick with a candle in it and sang happy birthday to me! A spectacular day, especially for my big 30.