Boun Lai Heau Fai Fireboat Festival didn't disappoint again this year. It's such a magical evening. Following days of preparation in the temples at the end of Buddhist Lent, the lanterns, candles and boats are ready. As dusk falls, the illuminated fireboats parade along the main street of Luang Prabang, accompanied by drums and dancers, before being launched into the River Mekong as an offering to the nagas.
Meanwhile people buy or carry homemade krathong (made of flowers and banana leaves with a candle and incense) down to the riverbank to send blessings to the nagas and bring good luck for the year ahead. The candles flicker as they drift away downstream under the full moon, taking our doubts and fears with them.
Finally there's the traditional traffic jam as everyone tries to get home.
Here's the video Trevann made of our krathong launch, which went slightly awry. I'm not sure what it signifies when your krathong goes on fire and the bearer (me) panics and nearly chucks it in the river! Hardly a dignified, peaceful blessing moment! In the end a kind passer-by handed me a wooden launch pad on which the krathong could be lowered into the water
NIot sure what it signifies when your krathong goes on fire and the bearer (me) panics and nearly throws it in the river! But otherwise a lovely peaceful blessed moment Not sure what it signifies when your krathong goes on fire and the bearer (me) panics and nearly throws it in the river! But otherwise a lovely peaceful blessed moment
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