Loi Krathong- Lantern Festival

Happy Halloween! Not much halloween activity going on here but it is time for Loi Krathong or the Lantern Festival. According to Wikipedia:

Loy Krathong is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the western calendar this usually falls in November. "Loi" means "to float". "Krathong" is a raft about a handspan in diameter traditionally made from a section of banana tree trunk (although modern-day versions use specially made bread 'flowers' and may use styrofoam), decorated with elaborately-folded banana leaves, flowers, candles, incense sticks etc. During the night of the full moon, many people will release a small raft like this on a river.

Here at my hotel there was a celebration with traditional dancing and wonderful food although the real festival isn't until next week. I will be up north next week where I hear from the locals that the festival is quite beautiful. It was fun to have an introduction to the festival here at the hotel. After all the food and dance we all put our "lanterns" into the water. It was really quite beautiful.