"One of the most picturesque festivals in Bangkok is the evening of Loy Krathong, when people gather around lakes, rivers and canals to pay respects to the goddess of water by releasing beautiful lotus shaped rafts, decorated with candles, incense and flowers onto the water." ~ Bangkok.com

Luang Prabang, Laos, 

like a slumbering child,

is cradled by the confluence of the Nam Khan River 

and the mighty Mekong River.

Our lovely stay for the weekend peered over the palms at this junction.

The staff, the service, the food, and the view 

make the Mekong Riverview Hotel a perfect choice for accommodations.

Compared to Bangkok and Hanoi 

and other cities we have visited recently,

 Luang Prabang truly is a sleepy kinda place 

where the perfect mode of transportation is two wheels.

Most hotels have them readily available.

The Monks were busy...

preparing for the upcoming Awk Phansaa,
occuring at the full moon in October,

which marks the end of Buddhist Lent .

Unfortunately, we were there three days too early!

 All over town...

 boats were being handcrafted...

 by businesses,

 families...

and other groups for the competitive boat races.
Most of these elaborate ones will not be placed in the water, but will be adorned with candles and line the streets with flickering light.

When the sun goes down,

on the eve of Awk Phansaa,

people will gather at the nearest body of water

to release a small banana leaf boat 

carrying a tiny candle, incense and flowers to release on the water.

Much like the Loy Krathong, 

the festival of lights, 

celebrated here in Thailand tonight.

Always under the light of a full moon,

people place their handmade krathong into the water,

photo:  ary19thai.blogspot.com

and release the floating symbol 

along with grudges from the past year 

while making wishes for the new one.

I love how this local festival occurs on the eve of our American Thanksgiving this year.

Ren Man and I will attend a Loy Krathong event under the full moon on the Chao Phraya River.

Along with letting go of any grudges, 

we will load up our krathong with thankful thoughts and prayers for our family and friends back home.

Happy Thanksgiving!