Loi Kratong, Chiang Mai
Anyone will tell you that Chiang Mai is a beautiful city. From a city-dweller's perspective, it's much less crowded with crisp air; and from an outdoors person's view, the mountains in the backdrop is really a nice one.
With barely any advance planning, I took off to Chiang Mai with several friends to check out Loi Kratong. Celebrated by the rivers, this animistic tradition celebrates the goddess of the river for the use of her water and to remove bad luck. Families or couples make (or buy) kratongs, which are floats made from banana leaves that hold little offerings and lighted candles, and then float them down the river after saying a prayer. Another amazing sight is when miniature hot-air "balloons" are lighted and released.
Less amazing and quite damaging to my hearing was the continuous barrage of fireworks exploding everywhere as Enrique and I took photos around the Nawarat Bridge. This was as close to war as I've ever been: exploding shells, bottle rockets, firecrackers going off, without the blood, guts, and screams for medics.
Nevertheless, even after my second trip there (just two weeks ago), I'd like to return there just to sit back and enjoy the air and the even-more laid-back company.
