Super Crazy Krathong Contest

The typical krathong is much smaller and simpler than these.... but krathong making is a true art form here in Northern Thailand.

krathongs on the Mae Ping River, Chiang Mai

Traditionally Loi Krathong is a festival to honor and celebrate rivers. Krathongs are little handmade floating flower arrangements, made out of banana leaves and decorated with various flowers and beautiful leaves. A small candle and three sticks of incense complete the krathong. People take their krathongs down to flowing water ( a river or canal) and set them adrift. The longer they float the better your luck. Chiang Mai is one of the most popular destinations for this festival and here on the Mae Ping River, as you can see, krathong back ups can and do occur.

Wat Phra Singh, Chiang Mai

This is the oldest tree in the city planted here in the 1400s to mark the founding site of Chiang Mai. Every wat complex has a bodhi tree... the sacred tree under which Buddha reached enlightenment. But this was the tallest bodhi I have seen by far.The wat is also the oldest in the city. This complex had five or six beautiful temples on the grounds, but the giant brick temple is the oldest and most revered. We especially liked the elephants....

More Floats

Every float has it's own beauty queen also!

Loi Krathong night, Chiang Mai.

Loi Krathong is a three day festival that builds in momentum day by day, culminating on the full moon. This is the third night, and these are two of literally dozens of amazing floats in this parade. The streets were lined with people for miles and miles packed in to be a part of the experience. It was the longest parade I have ever seen.

Last night!!!

Bangkok-Here we are in the back of a tuk tuk on our way to the infamous red light district of Pat Pong. It was our final night in Thailand, and we were looking for the street stall goods... fried shrimp balls, fish cakes, maybe a pad thai. Instead we found the best Indian food in Bangkok (Himali Cha Cha) and ended the night with a decent Thai massage. With a final tuk tuk ride back to the River View our adventures in Thailand were rapidly coming to an end.

Pop gawn mai, Chiang Mai!!

All packed up and loaded in the back of the sawngthaew... At the moment we were busting at the seams with woks, burners and many other kitchen and food items we were excited to be bringing home with us. It was sad to say goodbye to Chiang Mai, but I have a strong feeling we will be back. It is a beautiful, exotic city with so much to offer a curious mind and lover of history. So we say "See you later".... not goodbye! Notice we are both in our yellow shirts to honor The King. This year is his 80th birthday and his 60th year on the throne... EVERYONE celebrates by wearing yellow shirts with his symbol on the front. We joined in the spirit...

2007 Miss Yee Peng, Chiang Mai

Ready for the full moon party photos ? (Aussies in the hizzouse!!!!!)

I was ready, with camera in hand. Some people were not as prepared. Some were over prepared. Extra girl, liquor excesses, and such.

Who loves a good elephant walk.

We took a boat trip down the Mekoke river in Thailand. The boat driver made an 'unexpected' stop in this small village. More like an elephant prison camp. Of course we couldn't resist feeding them bananas and cabbage. The elephants were very curious.

The higher the hike, the more you see. This is 14,000'.

There are great opportunities for hiking in the mountains of Tibet. At the top, prayer flags and shrines.

The Secret Machines

Still highly recommended. You will be surpised.

The Tidrum Nunnery (and hot spring).

This place exists for those who are there. Many people chant mantras and soak thier pains away. The pools are natural bottom with nun built rock walls. These pools are hot and hotter. Many professional soakers from all over Tibet come and stay for days. A room will cost you $5, and if you can't speak the language than it will be an instant noodle night for you. There is plenty of hot water.

These prayer wheels are sustainable。

Hell yeah, goddammit !!!

Instant noodles, it's for dinner.

I have read that after a few nights of 'the noodle' you are hooked. Count us in. I feel itchy already。 There are many flavors but none as good as the green package。 I like to enjoy mine with a friend。

The veil has been lifted.

Does this image scare the panties off you. Maybe this should have been covered with a cloth or something. Just don't stare too long. But if you do, this is also okay.

We are having a good time.

Sometimes the details are finer than others. This time is one.

This Buddha is also a cash cow.

The idea here is to smear yak butter on the Buddha and wait. Soon pilgrims will arrive to stick money to it. At the end of the day, clean the Buddha and reapply the yak butter. Then just wait for more pilgrims. This would be a great gift for chia pet fans. Same basic idea.

This donkey has two heads.

I couldn't believe it either. So glad I had my camera ready for this. The two headed donkey is quite elusive, but very casual at the same time. Not too messy, this animal is brown and fun.

High class grafitti, Buddha owns it.

All over Tibet there is various alters, rock carvings, and paintings. Most are Buddha images. He owns it.

It's 'red week'at the Potala.

We had the good fortune of visiting Lhasa during national week. Many Chinese tourists came to Lhasa to visit. We became lost in the action and soon found ourselves dressed and photographed by many of the Tibetens and Chinese observers. The Potala is in the background adourned in red banners and flags possibly to signify the 'liberation' of the Tibeten people. Just in front of us, but not in the picture is a monument to the armed forces. I call it red square. Many towns in Tibet have these monuments. Not so many people gather near the monument as in the other side of the park. Makes me wonder.

The mutton have rights too......

We are walking in Shigatse(Tibet), turn a corner and are rushed by a bushel of sheep. I know sheep cannot read, but there is a 'no sheep commuting' sign just a few feet away. This might explain the non-casual nature of their pace. As far as we could see they made there way without hassle or delay.

This is yak butter and money.

There is some significance here. This may be a little bit difficult to keep the kids out of. However it smells good. The Potala has many mysteries to challenge you. Just don't touch anything, the yak butter is everywhere. Not just a few globs, but pounds and pounds on most holy surfaces. It's a greasy good time....

Prayer flags at many mountain passes.

All around Tibet the prayer flags are strung btween rocks, up tree branches, even prayer flag confetti to toss into the breeze.

This game is both fair and fun for all ages.

Spin the dice and your number pays double. Roll doubles and get paid triple. These folks are tough. They cleaned me out in about half an hour. The monk next to me was drawing the largest crowd. Others gathered around me but slowly lost interest. I lost three dollars. Shit.

The snow is falling in Tibet

Astral Project!!!

One of the Hollars favorite bands. Happens to include Johnny Vidacovich, THE favorite drummer/poet of team Hollar. Saturday May 6th in the Jazz Tent.

Fi Yi Yi and the Mandingo Warriors Mardi Gras Indians

...grabbed our tea and we were on our way to the Gospel Tent when we came across this man at the Jazz and Heritage Stage. His power was mesmerizing! His suit was more African in design then most Indians, and he did one intense dance where he would bow down sharply and the back of his suit would fly up into a large mask! The music was mostly drumming and chanting. They were chanting "Let's go get em! Bring em back home! Come home to New Orleans! Let's go get em now!"

The Boyz at the Fest...

It's always tough to decide where to go next. It's a group effort... pick up some Mango Freeze, catch some zydeco on the way to the jazz tent... get yourself some catfish and merliton and chow down while watching some Mardi Gras Indians start their parade, hearing some Marva Wright on the side by chance... or grab a couple of ice teas and cool out in the Gospel Tent, catching some fiery Fi Yi Yi and the Mandingo Warriors on the way. Team Hollar chose the latter option............

MONK !! Jazz Fest 2006 New Orleans, Ya'll !

Big Chief Monk Boudreaux performing with The Golden Eagles and a killer back up band. Congo Square at the Fest. Notice Papa Mali in the background. Monk was bringing the Mojo to a new level that day!

the hillbilly hollar

the hillbilly hollar