Torch Festival

August 6, 2007 (June 24th of the Lunar Calendar)

This year our family had the adventure of traveling to and watching one of the major festivals of a minority people in our area. The people are called the Yi (pronounced "E") and the festival is 火把节 (HuoBaJie) or the Torch Festival. There are 100's of different tribes of the Yi people, with different costumes and languages; but they seem to share this festival in common. One popular legend of the festival's origin tells the story of a heavenly king (devil) who sent a spirit or strongman to destroy the Yi people. This angered the spirit of the earth; so he engaged the strongman in a wrestling match. The match went on for three days and three nights. All the while the Yi people supported the earth spirit by playing their three-stringed guitars & flutes, clapping their hands, and stamping their feet. The earth strongman or spirit triumphed and the heavenly king was furious. He sent a plague of insects to destroy the Yi peoples' crops. In response these rural people lit pine branches or torches. The smoke killed the insects and their crops were saved.

We watched the festival in the capital city of an Yi prefecture; so it wasn't the same as being out in the rural areas, but it was very lively. There were lots of people dressed up in lovely embroidered costumes (whether the were actually Yi or not); all forming up to join in the traditional circle dancing. Yi guitar players and flutists were also out. There were parades, performances, and fireworks. And of course, the lighting of a huge bonfire.

To be honest that part of the celebration was a bit disturbing, as there was a shaman present who sacrificed a live chicken prior to the pine logs being lit. Then the fire was ignited and the Yi people lit their torches from it and ran out from the gathered crowd into the dark night. I guess there is a truly fearful aspect to all this in that the ceremony is meant to ward of the year's evil.

We stayed in an interesting community that was newly built, but meant to represent a sort of idealized Yi village. There were canals running through it and a water wheel, Yi restaurants, and many souvenir shops. The boys would want me to mention that Yi fried potatoes are delicious. The potatoes are small, round, crispy-skinned on the outside, and plenty salty. They could have eaten them for every meal.

We had a good visit, especially exploring through the Yi neighborhood as people danced and sung and played with the bonfires and torches. We were also able to participate in an English club in that city. The only low point of the whole trip was that Josh got terribly sick our last night there.

All in all, though, it was a great experience to end the summer with.

Good-bye to Aonang & Thailand

As you can probably tell we really enjoyed our time at the beach. But the boys began to feel ready to get back to their home in China. (Josh even had dreams about his favorite Chinese breakfast food - er kuai pronounced "r-kwhy.") Swimming and the monkeys were big favorites; and we also enjoyed having McDonald's, brick oven pizza, Slurpees from 7Eleven, and the delicious Thai food at a restaurant outside our gate (also their fruit shakes). We continued to play cards to pass the time until food came. And we watched way more natural disasters and airplane crashes on Discovery Channel and National Geographic than we thought could actually happen. There were also a few fun movies on; particularly "The Pink Panther," which the boys loved. One special surprise from this trip, was that the boys' first grade teacher, her husband, and adopted daughters were vacationing at the same hotel that we were. It was nice to catch up and share stories, especially since we moved away right after Tim finished second grade. My favorite thing from our vacation (other than hanging out with my guys) was walking on the beach collecting shells. Being alone with my thoughts and the beauty all around was a treat.

Good-bye to the monkeys

The restaurant outside the gate

Monkeying Around

Taking a drink

Walking down the beach to see the monkeys

Waiting - the dog isn't helping any

Tim especially enjoyed observing and interacting with the monkeys.

Making friends

At the Pool

Aonang Villa pool

What boys do in the pool....





Mostly the boys liked to compete & wrestle, wrestle & compete. Their favorite competition was the jumping contest which we held in the deep end. They got to make their biggest and smallest splash, their furthest jump, their craziest jump, and their best lifeguard jump. Then back to wrestling


What boys do when they're tired of swimming

Exploring Aonang

On our first trip down the beach, we discovered a rustic wooden walkway that led across a little outlet and up the side of the limestone mountain. The boys coaxed me to follow it at least part of the way; and the whole family came back later in the day and hiked through the jungle-like foliage, down the other side, and unto a private beach. (See picture below)

On our way back

Josh cools his feet in the shallow stream. Notice his monkey friend nearby. We first encountered the monkey community on these two walks. One older gentleman monkey even passed us on our way back to Aonang Beach as he dexterously maneuvered along the handrail. He gave Allen a wide berth as Allen came walking along in the rear position carrying a long bamboo walking stick.

Aonang

Aonang Villa Resort

After leaving Klong Muong we moved to Aonang for a few days. We have stayed here several times before and love the beautiful beach and the family atmosphere. It is a little more built up with a McDonald's and a few 7Elevens, more vendors, restaurants, and hotels; but it still has a small beach, less commercial feel to it. We were there during the low season as well. The rainy season is the low season in Thailand. Our hotel was still fully booked.

Aonang Beach looking left


Aonang Beach looking right


Thai Longtail boats

Good-bye to Klong Muong

Klong Muong Beach was pretty private. The road around it only hosted a few Thai minimarts with limited supplies. One had gotten in a stash of Diet Cokes which we put a good dent in. There were 3 or 4 Thai or Indian/Thai restaurants. We found one we liked and ate there almost every meal. Peter ordered Tom Yam Gong (spicy soup with mushrooms and shrimp) the first several meals. The Chicken & Cashewnuts, Thai Sweet & Sour, Garlic Pork, and Fried Rice in a Pineapple were all favorites as well. There was also this one Rotee maker. She wore her head covering as she was Muslim and fried the thin pancake on the large, round, flat grill so crispy; slicing the banana long into four strips while still half in the peel, and covering the whole folded treat with chocolate syrup.

Yet another meal at Le Cafe Terrace. We played a lot of cards waiting for our meals.


Crab boys - Tim and I had a great time chasing sand fiddlers with a flashlight out on the beach one night. The resort has a little bit of a crab theme because there are so many there.

Good-bye to Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort

Klong Muong Beach Day 5

Peter makes friends with RahRah

Feeding Time


Pete finally climbs on

The elephant's trainers were extremely friendly and helped any willing man, woman, or child to climb on top of RahRah. But eventually they would speak out a certain Thai command and RahRah began to shake. No matter how hard you tried there was no staying on after that.

Klong Muong Beach Day 4

Scuba lessons & Chicken Fights

Josh & I took advantage of a free scuba lesson at the hotel pool


Note that Peter who was too young tried to learn as much as he could as well.


Post-lesson chicken fights