Ghana 32 with a touch to Thai Loy Krathong

Hi,  Cut out a few web page bits on Loy Krathong from the web, as they explain the origins better than me.

As Thai festivals go, Loy Krathong is probably the second most well-known and popular after the new year Songkran festivities. It is also arguably the most picturesque and romantic, filling waterways and skies up and down the country with floating krathong and lanterns

Like many such festivals, there are several tales as to the history of Loy Krathong, which takes place on the night of the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, usually in November. In 2018 Loy Krathong is on Thursday November 22, while celebrations will also take place on the days before and after. While the most common story is that the festival originated in the era during which Sukhothai was the capital of what is now Thailand, other writings suggest that it came about in the early days of the Bangkok period as a way of honouring the Buddha. Small floating vessels known as krathong, released on rivers, lakes and ponds, contain a candle used to pay respect to the Buddha, while the floating nature of the krathong itself symbolises letting go of hatred and anger.

Certainly this is a theme of Loy Krathong that remains today – couples or families floating their krathong hope that, in so doing, they will wish away the bad things that have happened in the past year and usher in good fortune for the next year. For this reason, those celebrating Loy Krathong will often place a few fingernail or hair clippings on the krathong when they float it away. Another purpose to the Loy Krathong festival is to pay respect to the river spirits, and specifically Phra Mae Khongkha, the Goddess of Water, and therefore a few small coins are usually nestled into the krathong along with the nail and hair clippings.

But there the similarity ends.  Last night Wanna and I went up to the roof top swimming pool.  Yes pool,   no running water, except for the pool filter..................  It was a bit windy so getting the candles lit was a challenge in itself.

Wanna conducted ceremonies and I spend a good 15 minutes in dark and not so warmish but cool water.  Lovely evening. Good use of the roof top pool.

With full moon.....