I couldn't resist the call of Chiang Mai for my Songkran holiday. I spent Songkran 2013 here, so I always thought that this time around I would spend the holiday somewhere new like Bangkok or the islands. But I couldn't help myself! I fell in love with Northern Thailand last time I was here and I hadn't had a chance before now to visit so I heeded the call, and this time I brought some friends along for the ride. Fu, Cece and Christina are teachers at my school. We have become fast friends, but will be going in separate directions just after Songkran. So our week long trip to Chiang Mai, with a stop over in Pai was our last hurrah, until we all meet again, which is sure to happen one day I'm sure.
I will break this down in to days, with separate posts for Pai, because this could get long. Songkran is technically a 3-day holiday to celebrate the Thai New Year, but celebrations tend to start a day early and overflow as well, so it's more like 5-days of water throwing, soaked-to-the-bone insanity. I'm not sure of the history of the so-called "water festival", but I'm pretty sure it started off as a friendly gesture of washing your slate clean for the new year, perhaps a cup of water poured gently on a friends shoulder. It has now become an all out water war, complete with super soakers, buckets of ice cold water, dumping trash cans on water on unsuspecting victims from your 3rd floor balcony, and so on. It is actually pretty fun for 2 or 3 days, but after that grace period you just want to be able to get from point A to point B without getting soaked to the bone.
I will break this down in to days, with separate posts for Pai, because this could get long. Songkran is technically a 3-day holiday to celebrate the Thai New Year, but celebrations tend to start a day early and overflow as well, so it's more like 5-days of water throwing, soaked-to-the-bone insanity. I'm not sure of the history of the so-called "water festival", but I'm pretty sure it started off as a friendly gesture of washing your slate clean for the new year, perhaps a cup of water poured gently on a friends shoulder. It has now become an all out water war, complete with super soakers, buckets of ice cold water, dumping trash cans on water on unsuspecting victims from your 3rd floor balcony, and so on. It is actually pretty fun for 2 or 3 days, but after that grace period you just want to be able to get from point A to point B without getting soaked to the bone.
Day 1
On Day 1, we were walking through the streets on our way to buy some water guns. We passed a beautiful temple and decided to take a look and fill our water bottles with the free water they offered. Free indeed. We didn't get far before we were ambushed by these little monks with super soakers. They were assassins! When we finally got our guns at the local 7-11 we returned for some revenge and partook in an all out battle, which we lost because their guns were bigger, there were more of them then us, and they are super cunning. We all had a great time and it is one memory I will cherish.
We bought our guns at 7-11 and they were only too happy to arm us and check our guns. My first one was faulty so they let me choose another.
My horse head water gun had people trembling in the streets.....because Italians say it with a horse head. (And when I say trembling I mean shaking with laughter)
Day 2
We walked around the city soaking and getting soaked. The city gates had stages set up with music and partying. For the most part everyone is just having a good time. The game is to try to avoid the people with blocks of ice in their buckets. Those people are evil. They take far too much pleasure in the squeals of their victims as they douse them with buckets if ice-cold water. Usually they are the ones driving around in trucks or camped out in front of their homes or hostels. Its almost impossible to avoid.
The old city is surrounded by a moat. During the festival people line it for free amo. Basically, if you don't want to get splashed with buckets on moat water, stay far away from the moat.
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At one of the temples people use a pulley system to send water to Buddha. All of the temples are still open during the holiday, and for the most part you can dip into one for a short reprieve from the madness.
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 Even this elephant got in on some Songkran action. |  |
Day 3
We decided to take the defensive at the hostel. This is the best way to do it by far. No one escapes the splash. I avoided hitting motorbike drivers, but I was pretty much the only one who was that nice. Basically everyone else on the road was fair game: Pedestrians, definitely, people in the back of trucks, songtows or tuktuks, absolutely. Its okay, most of the time they were also splashing back.
 Ha! Nice try. |  If you are in the back of a tuktuk, you are officially a target |  |
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Two years ago I stayed at the same hostel we stayed at this time around, Chiang Mai Backpack House. It may not be the nicest place around, but the owner, Tony, is awesome. On the left is a picture of his daughter the last time I saw her in 2013.....the right is the same little girl in 2015. Unbelievable how kids grow.
The Next couple of days were spent in Pai and that we be in a different post. To end this I will simply say...another successful Songkran in the books.
The Next couple of days were spent in Pai and that we be in a different post. To end this I will simply say...another successful Songkran in the books.
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