Love Is In The Air : Loy Kratong

25^th of November, another night to remember. Let us introduce you to another full moon festival in Thailand that is more traditional and not wild, Loy Kratong festival. Traditionally, Loy Kratong festival is the festival where Thais worship the water spirits and the main purpose is to thank the Goddess of water. Loy means float in Thai and Kratong is basically a banana stem wrapped with banana leaves and decorated beautifully with flowers, candles and three incense sticks. They would make a wish and float the Kratong to the water.

Our university (ABAC) hosted Loy Kratong festival a day before the actual day. Of course we wouldn’t miss it. I have to say that they did it pretty well! The decorations are actually amazing. It’s like going back in the days how Thais really celebrate the festival. They have shows, game boots, outdoor cinema, food stands, beauty contest (Thai style) and some people actually dressed up in Thai traditional costume. They also have a section where you can buy the Kratongs and even a section for you to make your own. They lit the candles around the university’s pond and I have to say, it would be a nice place to bring your date. Very romantic indeed!!

So, the next day on the actual day for this special occasion we decided to go to one of Bangkok’s famous spot where this festival has taken place, The Memorial bridge or “Sapaan-Poot”. The Memorial bridge is a bridge over Chaopraya River (Thailand’s longest/ biggest river). Choco’s grandmother always come here to float the Kratong during the festival every year back in the day. Before we floated our Kratong, we’ve decided to make a stop for dinner at a place nearby called Yodpiman River Walk. We highly recommend you to visit this place. Beautifully built close to the river, there are also many cafés and restaurants where you can lunch, dine and enjoy the breath taking view of Chaopraya river and the temples around. Check out their website for more details ;) http://www.yodpimanriverwalk.com/home/

  

Loy Kratong in ABAC

Love is in the air!

Beauty contest in ABAC. One of the highlights of the night! All dressed up in beautiful Thai traditional costumes. 

When looking up, the sky was stunning, adding romantic scene. The sky really have no limit.

   The official Loy Kratong day we went to centre of Bangkok, Yodpiman River Walk. Located at the back of Bangkok's oldest and biggest flower market (Pak Khlong Talat).  Nearby the Memorial bridge.

There's a hostel right inside the market! 

Had a nice Italian cuisine at a restaurant called Pomi. A great mix to the night and the food was delicious! 

Glass of wine and salmon worked. Checked.

Pier outside.

Decorated festival boats were passing by the river and blasting Thai country music from the speakers

The famous Chaophraya cruise buffet boat.  Requires to book in advance, cant wait to try it out

Gonna surprise Choco one day with the Buffet boat :) 

The "core" of the festival area. Crowded zone. (under the Memorial bridge)

 Vendors selling Kratongs made out of breads! Eco friendly and big feast to the fishes :D

One of the piers to float your Kratongs

On the bridge a lot of couples / peeps came to enjoy the night with a great view over the river

White Yolk's choice of Kratong. Who knows White Yolk can also be so romantic :p

 
Lowering the Kratong. Hope the wished comes true :)

 

On the way back, had to stop and capture this image, this is breath taking. They are preparing for the fathers day (5th of December). They started the decorations all over the country. 

Graduation ceremony: Hogwarts style

The next day on Saturday, we went back to uni and attended our good friend's (Mon) graduation ceremony.
When you graduate from high school or University in Finland, usually all the relatives and close friends are invited to the graduation party at your home. They bring gifts / money. In Thailand, when university  students graduate, they celebrate it at their school. Relatives and friends are also usually invited to come by, to congratulate the graduates, give money, gifts and most importantly take a lot of photos. SELFIE TIME!!!!! Thais they love selfies

A great weekend for us I would say.

Couldn't be more happy for our friend! CONGRATULATIONS again Monny!!!!!!!

                  Doesn't this gown remind you of Harry Potter??

Photo taking time! It was indeed very busy and crowded in the building. (CL Building)

Kiss kiss 💋💋💋

Family, friends and relatives brought gifts and flowers to congrats the graduates. Wonderful atmosphere 😊

Congrats to all the Gryffindor graduates

Do the pose! 

Thought about graduating excites, but we are not ready to leave yet 😋

Can't wait for our turn 🎓😎

Traditional Thai House Blessing

A week ago I got invited to Choco's house to participate in a traditional Thai house blessing ceremony. Dozen of Buddha's representatives came to her house prayed, gave merits, bring happiness, fortune and all good things to the whole family and friends who participated in the event. 

    In Thailand, they believe that what they give to the monks, those things will pass to their relative or ancestors spirits and it's another way to gain merits. So, these buckets are filled with essential things that the monks can use such as medicine, soap, snacks etc.

These are some deserts, snacks and drinks that Choco's family had prepared for the monks.

    For the house blessing ceremony, traditionally, 9 monks has to participate. Buddhists would conduct the ceremony once a year. The family would donate money and it will all go to the temple. 

After the monks left, we started to prepare for evening BBQ Party. After a while, the house was full and packed with Choco's friends and her brother's close friends. 

BBQ wouldn't be the same without BACON

Surprise birthday cake made by Choco! for our awesome friend Franklin. 

Happy birthday dude! Thank you to all of you for coming. The evening wouldn't be as amazing without you guys :)

Choco's brother and his friends were having a "live" band. This is how they partayyy. The evening went rocking wild ;)

Play Paranoid ! 

It's always interesting to see how they celebrate their lives here in Asia, differs from the west where I come from. 

The Giant Triple Headed Elephant Museum, Erawan.

Talking about amazing Thailand. Erawan museum is in one of our toplist's must visit museum in Bangkok, where you can climb up to the heaven and feel the sense of enlightenment. It is located in Samut Prakan province, which is not far from Bangkok city. You can get there by BTS (Skytrain) following a short 10 minutes bus/taxi ride.

Tickets to the area costs 400thb (10euros) for Farangs, Thais go for half price.
Don't forget to grab a free audio tour guide from front of the entrance.

Inside the elephant, the roof represents world map. Looks amazing!

View from the elephant's head

Facing the concrete jungle.

When you climb up the stairs to the heaven above, along the way you'll see paintings of Buddhist cosmology.

Travatimsa heaven. 

Quiet, chilly place to throw quick merits.

    When youre done with the museum building, check out the garden area behind.

Looking for a perfect place for a date? Bring him/her here!   

Been noticing this weird advertisement posted all around the city. You dont look so happy man!

I've no idea what it is really about but I can guess that the monk knos Karma is a real b*tch.

Friends visiting, Khaosan Road and Chinatown

We always welcome and be ready to host any friends to crash at our place. This time our spanish amigo Lorenzo came to Thailand for the first time and we showed him what Bangkok is all about.

 Thanks for coming to Thai to see us, hope you liked it bro!

    Khaosan, literally translated: Rice Street. How do we call it? Bangkok's Slum! Backpackers paradise. During daytime, its a huge shopping street, night time, it turns to be crazy bar/club party street.

Advertisement done right :)

       Have a scorpion, do it for the gainz ;)

The words you cant express yourself, let these wristbands express them for you, 70thb each :)

     Khaosan full of cheap guest houses for travellers with budget.
    Chill atmoshpere and good location in heart of Bangkok.

   Bangkok where you'll find Buddha in every golden cloister.

Wild tuk tuk ride to Chinatown. Damn I llliike this moment with her

Next stop Chinatown 

   

I am in love with the COCO 

Street food cant get any better 

    Durian, the stinkiest fruit on earth, yet still so gooood :p

    

    RöhhRöhh. Sikahyvää. How about pig's face for dinner?

Happy noodles

 It actually looks like he was gonna use some Kungfu water and airpower to sip that cup of tea cuz it just cant be typical with that SWAG hairstyle he got.

Dude straight from DragonBallZ