Phone Photography: Loy Kratong day in the countryside.

Life has been very busy during the last ten days. There’s a long list of things to be done in the garden. So, I was too exhausted to write any post for a while. This year I made sure to be around the country house during Loy Kratong festival. Last year I was in the city so I missed the occasion. This year my gardener was glad that I could be there to float the banana ‘boats’ at the river with her. So, she spent hours making ‘kratongs’ from banana leaves and flowers.

Loy Kratong was a delightful ceremony, possibly originated in India, where people floated candles in little vessels on rivers on special full moon night. Here, it was supposed to be a ceremony for paying respect and gratitude to the river. But people seemed to have forgotten about the kindness of Mother Nature and rivers for nourishing our lives and survival. The festival was a fun time for big social gatherings at various temples by the river. Vendors would sell various designs of kratongs. People would generally have a good time or party to celebrate the occasion.

I should be learning to make my own kratong or floating vessel myself. But it would take me a whole day and I would waste lots of banana leaves. Next year, I would make the effort to create my own kratong. My gardener would have a good laugh at me and make fun of me for several days. I watched her cutting the banana leaves and folding them like lotus petals. I was quite surprised that ordinary banana leaves could turn out to be a vessel looking like a big lotus flower.

The decorations of the floating vessels would be flowers, candles and incense. Some people might put in a few coins. In the village, some villagers had started making kratongs for sale in the evening. The local authority had organised a social event along the promenade by the river that evening. I cycled around to observe the preparations for the evening party by the river. Vendors were setting up their stalls for selling food and drinks. The stage on the promenade looked very big, there would probably be live music and some beauty pageants competitions.

I noticed many tables and chairs in front of the stage. It seemed most villagers would be having a party in the evening. The music would be quite loud and the place would be very crowded. So, I was glad to have a look around before the party started. Hundreds of people would be floating their kratongs on the river. These kratongs with candles would make the river looking very nice with hundreds of shimmering candles. But the prospect of being very crowded and loud noises from speakers would deter me from joining the party. Besides, I would go hungry as most vendors didn’t cater for vegetarians.

The local authority organised a big event this year as there was no festivals during the last three years. So, they wanted to compensate for the miserable periods in the past. My gardener told me that there was also a competition for LGBT beauty pageants. Many participants got prizes and some pocket money. The audience was entertained by the contests on answering difficult questions which required creativity and witty answers.

I saw a few stalls offering cold beer so lots of people would be quite tipsy at night. There would be visitors from nearby villages joining the party as the place and atmosphere by the river were just right for having a cool party. I was quite surprised that the actual noise level during the party was not excessively loud. The local officials seemed to have tight control of the noise level and the strict closing time for selling alcohol. This could explain why there was no scuffle among drunken teenagers as it was a common feature during live band performances.

We went to the river just before the sunset to float our babana vessels. The previous flood had left piles of mud on the steps leading to the water. It was tricky trying to walk down to the river egde. I was afraid of sliding into the river and float away with my kratong. My gardener was quite fast and was ready to light the candle. I took some photos to record some memories. It was nice and peaceful to be quietly alone by the river.

My gardener took it very seriously in praying and making good wishes with her kratong. My head was heavy with the news around the world so I prayed for world peace and safety of our country from any violent conflicts. I wished that world war would be averted and the whole situation changed into gradual resolution of conflicts.

My gardener had to return home to join her family for the evening party by the river. I slowly walked back home along the riverside and observed the sky after sunset. My mind had the chance to be quiet and calm while walking along the river. I knew changes were coming fast and I had to gather my strength and wits about me. I prayed and hoped that I would do the right thing at the right time.

Wishing you peace, good health and prosperity.

Stay strong and cheerful.