Songkran Festival

The Thai New Year (Thai: สงกรานต์ Songkran, from Sanskrit sankrānti "astrological passage"; Chinese: 潑水節) is celebrated every year from April 13 to April 15. It coincides with the New Year of many calendars of South and Southeast Asia. The date of the festival was originally set by astrological calculation, but it is now fixed. If these days fall on a weekend, the missed days off are taken on the weekdays immediately following. If they fall in the middle of the week, many Thai take off from the previous Friday until the following Monday. Songkran falls in the hottest time of the year in Thailand, at the end of the dry season.

Songkran this year fall on Mon to Wed and the festivities started on Sat, 11 April. By 12 April, it was impossible for us to get anywhere on our bike without getting wet.
This is a good picture to explain what & how it happens. Score of people, both locals & foreigners standing at the roadside, with their weapon of choice, eg. buckets, waterguns, pails, baby powder etc,
getting ready to splash whoever passby in their cars, bikes, pick-up, tuk tuk and on foot.
Nobody is spare.

Those trucks on the road have their own supply of water on board so that they don't miss out on the fun. Young and old join in the
festival, it is a family affair.

Me and my weapon of choice, winnie the pooh water backpack... Didn't manage to take a picture of after the battle but it was pathetic ... :( but loads of fun.

Once in a lifetime experience !!

New Favourite City In Thailand

I declare Chiang Mai our new favourite city in Thailand, much better than Bangkok.
More activities, cheaper shopping and better food.

The hotel we stayed in D2 was great, excellent location at the night bazaar, good service and comfy room with a little surprise from housekeeping each day. In the 5 days there, we received some Thai snacks, a rolling massager, a notebook and some sweets.

We took a day trip on day 2 to Doi Inthanon National Park.
At 2,565m, Doi Inthanon is the highest mountain in Thailand and its surrounding areas are designated as the Doi Inthanon national park. The park itself lies roughly 90 minutes' drive southwest of Chiang Mai and is popular for its magnificent waterfalls, flora and excellent views. You can drive all the way to the top, where stately chedis have been erected in honour of the present King and Queen of Thailand. The climate up at the top is almost alpine and cool at all times of the year, with sub-zero (Celsius) temperatures in winter.
Definitely worth the day trip!!

We visited these places

• Wachiratan waterfall
• Mae Yai Falls (I think)
• Karen Village
• Royal Project
• Hmong market
• Royal Chedis

We rented a bike and rode to Doi Suithep National Park on the 4th day.
Doi Suthep-Pui used to be known as Doi Oi Chang. Its new name comes from the name of a hermit, Prarusiwasuthep who lived at Doi Suthep-Pui was a protected forest. In 1973, The Royal Forest Department decided that Doi Suthep and 13 other forest areas in the country should eventually be national parks.
We went to the temple, it was quite spectacular. The temple sits upon a distinctive peak and supports a community of souvenir vendors and restaurants. Entry to the temple is via an exhausting 300-step stairway lined with two elongated nagas (protective serpents). There is also a funicular rail. The centrepiece of Wat Pratat Doi Suithep is the magnificent gilded chedi and a peaceful courtyard.
A 20-minute ride farther up the mountain will take you to the Phuping Winter Palace, which is a popular residence for the current Royal family. We went to the palace and ended up being caught in the storm. It was a warm-up to the Songkran Festival.

Chiang Mai 08 Apr to 12 Apr 09

Hmmm... except for accommodation, nothing has been planned for the trip that starts in 7hrs...
Not a good sign but we'll go where the wind brings us.
To some wat(temple) for sure

Am I Clever Or What ...!!

For next week's Chiang Mai trip, I made reservations at Dusit D2 resort more than a month ago.
Early this week, went into their website and saw that they have a better promotion, with free lunches and free fisherman's pants thrown in as part of the package & at a LOWER price.....

dusitD2 chiang mai

dusit songkran splash 2009

package includes:

• 2 nights accommodation
• daily delight box
• daily buffet breakfast for up to 2 persons
• a delightful “after- splash set lunch – world cuisine” for up to 2 persons at moxie restaurant (once during your stay)
• welcome “red bull energy mocktail” drink
• songkran fisherman pants (for all stays between 11-15 april)

Terms & Conditions :

3 days/ 2 nights from thb 6,999++/ per stay
valid date: 1 – 30 april 2009

Called the hotel to change the booking & saved about $200 in total.
Am I clever or am I clever ...

PS: It's the Songkran weekend when we are there ...