Homage to the goddess of rivers & waterways

Eating locusts among other insects...very tasty!
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We have come to Chiang Mai to experience one of Thailand's best-loved national festivals, which pays homage to the goddess of rivers & waterways, Mae Khongkha. First impressions upon arrival is the lack of smog and congestion on the roads...its quite a blessing :)

On the 5/6th Nov we have been enjoying the festival in the center of Chiang Mai, where thousands of floating lanterns are set of all around the city into the night sky, so much so that it looks like the night sky is full of very bright stars. You need to keep your wits about you as the locals woefully throw fire-crackers into the street where the processions pass (and where we are walking as pavements are rare)!

yes thats right we ate locusts

'Jane & Tarzan'
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Managed to pull a corker from our hotel, called Rachael, who gave us a tour of the nightlife. There are many street stalls selling food here for the festival and the 4 of us tried some of the local bugs...yes thats right we ate locusts, cockroaches and grubs among other insects which were very salty and being difficult to swallow gave us the pasties!

Looking for a much needed drink we ended up in the Cyber-Bar where they were playing live jazz music. Sara got talking to some of the locals when we tried to get more beer in the small hours of the morning. We have nicknamed them Jane & Tarzan (Jen & Do) and they are apparently acquaintances of the Thai Queen...really down to earth and a great couple. They have invited us to their house for dinner later this week so we are all very much looking forward to that experience of Thai home-cooking.