Loi Kratong, Take 2
Trip Start
Nov 02, 2007
1
26
33
Trip End
Dec 02, 2007
Chiang Mai,
Thailand
Sunday, November 25, 2007
The monks were doing a service outside and there were lots of people around the place and even a childrens band playing music. I had a very powerful experience at the shrine and really felt cleansed of the strong emotions I had felt the previous evening.
I headed off after a while to get some food and see what was happening with Vera. It was strange but I sat down at Wawee coffee and had an Ice Latte and a piece of cake (very nice) and sent a text to Vera. She was just waking up and suggested meeting at Wawee coffee :-) Then Clair cycled by. It was as if everyone wanted to be at Wawee coffee that morning. Anyway Clair and I had a nice chat about things and she suggested a yoga teacher in Bristol who teaches Satyananda Yoga (slightly ironic considering that's my Guru's name). I will definitely check that out when I'm back as it sounds really nice.
Vera arrived and we all chatted a bit more. Then Clair had to head off. Vera appologised about the night and explained how she had been feeling really tired and misunderstood the call we had about meeting up later and thought I wasn't coming. Funny how things always seem so rational after the fact and when you take emotion out of the picture. We decided to try and get a boat cruise up the river and maybe a spot of lunch somewhere. We got a songteow which took us all over the place, round past the airport and over to the river from the otherside. Was a nice ride and only cost 40B.
We found a nice place to eat called the Gallery. Lots of Krishna going on again, pinks and purples, flowers and stuff. We had some lovely food right by the river and relaxed. Afterward we took a walk to find a boat. Ended up walking a fair way down the river to this amazing temple, Wat ChaiMongkol. Had another very powerful experience there which was lovely. The boat ride turned out to be a bit too pricey for what you actually got, 420B each. So we decided not to bother.
We caught a Songteow back to ThaPae gate and walked down through the night market. We split at about 5pm and arranged to meet up again at 7pm at Starbucks to do the festival again :-) but this time it worked out. I got dressed up again (I wanted to share it with someone) and we met up on time. The parade was even more ellaborate that night as it was the last night. We watched it for a bit before heading up to the THC rooftop bar, which had a nice view down on the gate area, and also an amazing view of the moon and sky.
We had a drink there, only coke, (which was a bit of a mistake as it turned out) and chatted for quite a while. We got a bit hungry so set off on a mission for food. Turned out that a lot of places were closing early so they could enjoy the festival so we struggled for a while to find anywhere. We did manage to find a place but by that time I wasn;t actually feeling great. Not sick this time just bloated and a bit gassy. I think my stomach hadn't taken too well to the fizzy coke. I really felt like spring rolls but I just missed the last ones (they were actually eaten by the table next to me, just to rub it in) so I just had french fries. They were nice and I felt ok eating them.
My gas didn't really ease up much and we couldn't find any decent music to listen to. The Rasta bar was playing pretty bad ska (the singer just wasn't good) so we headed off to another one. This one was ok but neither of us was really in a party mood so we only had one drink (mine being water) then we headed home. It was about midnight now so we had a good nights worth and Vera had work in the morning.
Again it just felt that I wasn't meant to party this weekend. Maybe that's a good thing, as I do have the tendancy to party harder than my body really likes so considering the week I've had I think the divine was probably looking out for me. Anyway, I now have a week of sightseeing ahead of me and then my flight home. Amazing how quickly it has come around..
My new outfit
