This last week, there has been a local festival to Samui and the Southern areas of Thailand in which floats festooned with Buddhist imagery are pulled along the streets in the hope of encouraging the rain to come as down here, the rainy season starts much later than it does up country.
The streets of Nathorn are closed and a huge street market setup, and for a whole week, the normally sleepy little administrative centre is thonged with music and people.
It is, of course, an ideal opportunity for the island's temples to rake in some funds so in the week previous, each temple drives its sea-themed float around the island, collecting alms and blocking the bloody traffic, before closing Nathorn totally for the day withbabhugebprocession and then putting them on display for the nine days and nine nights of the festival, where again, the monks will tell your fortune, give you a blessing or tie a piece of string around your wrist to keep you safe in return for a few coins.
See where the gypos got their ideas from?
There's a huge stage with music and dancing and for once, not a drop of alcohol in sight but it's the incredible, ornate floats that steal the show. All lit-up at night, they're mesmerising and magical....
...so much so that even cynical old falangs thrown few coins in their buckets!
That's my luck charm bit of string that once fastened around my wrist will allow me to ride my motorcycle at great speed without a helmet with total impunity!
In all seriousness, it's a wonderful night out. I love these huge local festivals we have here. All the locals turn out and make it a real community event. Even some of the stuck-up expats from the posh side of the island make an appearance!
Absolutely my favourite Thai festival and a wonderful way rack up a bucket load of steps!
Hope everyone is having a healthy and happy week and I send my best wishes to all.
Martin
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