Out of Norm Travels

This is part 1 of my Thailand adventures in 2014 when I made a trip down to Phanom Rung Historical Park . So what's so special about this place? This is located in the northeastern Isaan, Buri Ram province of Thailand. Phanom Rung (Thai: พนมรุ้ง ), or full name, Prasat Hin Phanom Rung (Thai: ปราสาทหินพนมรุ้ง – Phanom Rung Stone Castle is the largest and the most beautiful Khmer site in Thailand that was built over the 10th to 13th centuries from sandstone and laterite and dedicated to Lord Shiva , a supreme Hindu deity. It is said that the architectural design of this complex symbolizes Mount Kailash, his heavenly dwelling located in India. It consists of 3 naga bridges. Going through the walkway, you can reach the first naga bridge. There are 70 sand stone posts on either side of the walkway. The third naga bridge takes the visitors to the main sanctuary. Here is a photo of the layout of the temple grounds.   After restoring the temples for close to...

Part 2 of the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival:   Throughout the evening of the day before the actual parade, the floats from all over the district make their way down to the main grouping area - driven by tractors/ trucks giving both locals and tourists many chances to take photos with the floats throughout the night. The main grouping area was arranged along some 4-5 streets  of Ubon Ratchathani with  many many floats lining the streets - I have never seen so many floats up close and personal.  The floats came in many shapes and sizes and can be done using the traditional or block work ways. There were also a few intricately decorated smaller floats gently made out of  palm and banana leaves  hammered into places to form  intricate  3d designs in the shapes of  Nagas  (aka  Deity ) and the Lord  Buddha . 1 massive float stood out from the rest as it was made out of aromatic fragrant soaps. As part of the festivi...

One of the most important festivals in the Thai   Calendar and celebrated in a big way at the northern region of   Ubon Ratchathani .  Accessible via air, it took just about 1 hour for me to get away from the Bangkok city set-up to an unforgettable experience of a traditional festival in the thick of things.  I went down to Ubon a day earlier so that I could spend some time to go around town and head to the temples to see the work in progress before seeing all the candles / floats in all their glory. This is my account of Day 1 (day before the Festival).... Imagine you have spent 8 years in apprenticeship and having the honor of creating a 2m-sometimes 4m tall candle sculpture for one of the biggest candle parade of the Buddhist country. This festival celebrates the start of  Buddhist Lent  where the  monks  will mediate for 30 days in the mountains and only to descend from the mountain top at the end of Buddhist lent.  Fro...