Day 62
I failed in two ways in Chiang Mai, Thailand, while simply trying to view some pretty lanterns peacefully floating up into the sky for the Lantern Festival.
What I’m referencing is Yi Peng – a ceremony that begins with prayer and meditation, and ends with the release of thousands lanterns into the sky, along with well-wishes and hopes for the future.
I just really wanted to see some damn lanterns enter the sky, and I really, really wanted to get some photos of my very own that looked like this:
Instead, I ended up with something more like this:
You know how I never plan anything and just go with the flow? Well this time, guys, this time I planned.
I planned my whole pilgrimage up through Cambodia, Laos, and over to Thailand specifically to make it to this festival. I spent time researching from hotels in Bangkok right after I touched down to start this journey. I got my information from Google, and thought I had it all figured out.
Until I saw photos of the festival the day after I had arrived in Chiang Mai and felt the greatest heartbreak since Jimmy in the fifth grade told me he didn’t like me back. Unrequited love is tough, but not as tough as realizing you’ve completely failed at the only thing you planned your trip around.
It turns out that the locals tend not to announce the actual day of the big lantern release in order to cut down on the amount of tourists who flock to the occasion. Plenty of other, more seasoned bloggers were in the know, and made it to the actual release with flying colors. I, on the other hand, failed miserably.
I guess I kind of get it, but at the same time, was pretty disappointed and equally annoyed that there was a separate release staged for tourists several days later who were willing to pay a whopping $80 for the privilege. Screw that, seriously.
That was failure number one.
Throughout the week following the Yi Peng festival, which took place on November 23rd (a day I was furiously searching for flights to Thailand from Laos for, but unfortunately had to settle on slower transport that didn’t get me there until the 24th), there were still lanterns floating into the sky and fireworks dotting the horizon and booming throughout the day. I still had my big chance to release a lantern of my own during Loy Krathong on the 28th.
I went with my group from the hostel, and we excitedly lit our lanterns and took turns releasing them with our hopes and dreams for the year to come.
When my turn came, I felt confident I could release this thing with grace and finesse. It would soar to the heavens, making my most cherished wishes come true.
What actually happened was this:
My lantern crashed into the brown river below, extinguishing the candle only moments after my hasty release.
Luckily, we had accidentally bought too many lanterns for our group, and I had another chance. This time, the lantern successfully made it into the sky.
Though I missed out on Yi Peng and failed to properly release my first lantern, I still hold special memories of Chiang Mai and my time at Loy Krathong. I just hope that the future holds another opportunity for me to see the actual simultaneous release, and get some amazing photos to boot.
Perhaps that was my wish that night.
Have you ever had a crippling disaster or disappointment when traveling? Please comment below so I feel like less of a miserable failure.
Marco Fiori says
Hah, what a great story. To be fair, if it hadn’t gone wrong, you’d not have the misfortune to share. The photos of your attempt to unleash your lantern make me laugh.
Kristin Addis says
That’s true! I’d have pretty pictures instead. Would be boring!
Christina says
I stupidly forgot to write down the address of the hotel we were staying at in London and we had NO way to access it once we landed. Uhhh wtf was I thinking. London is huge and no one knew where it was by name alone!
Kristin Addis says
Oh no! What did you do? Obviously you eventually found it. I’ve had that happen a few times in Thailand, too. Booked a room and nobody knew where it was nor had heard of the place. A little frustrating due to the language barrier, but that’s my fault for not knowing Thai, not their fault for now knowing English.
@thevacationwanderer says
This is a great story of humanity and humility.. 🙂 So now you definitely have a reason to go back. 🙂 I had to chuckle at the floating J’s… 🙂 Not laughing at you, but I have been there and it’s sooooo frustrating. You will get a chance again. Can’t believe you are on day 62+ now. Does time feel like it’s flying?
Kristin Addis says
Yep, this just means I’ll have to go back… with an even better plan this time. Please feel free to laugh AT me. Goodness knows I am!
I can’t believe it’s day 62, either! I’m back in Bangkok where I started, at the same hostel, and the lady behind the counter recognized me and asked where I had been. Funny how it came full circle.
Callie says
This SAME thing happened to me!!! I got to Chiang Mai just in time to be told that I’d missed the lantern launch – but not the $80 one, of course. And I planned my whole trip around it too! (By the way, looks like you went to Pai after Yi Peng? Me too! I’m surprised I haven’t randomly run into you yet!)
Kristin Addis says
So frustrating! I think this happened to a lot of people, actually. I was in Pai the 30th-6th! LOVED it! Were you there at the same time? I’m heading south soon. Let me know if you’ll be there and we can meet up!
Jessica Dawdy says
I celebrated Loy Krathong in the small town in Thailand where I’m teaching English. I bought a lantern, but they wouldn’t let me release it without assistance because they said it would catch on fire if I didn’t do it right. It’s good to know that I look so accident prone to complete strangers.
Kristin Addis says
I actually did see quite a few get dangerously close to crashing on the ground or into electrical wires.
Alana - Paper Planes says
If it makes you feel better, 30 seconds after I released my krathong in the river I was watching it float away and saw a little old man crouching by the bank grab it, throw the candle/incense in the water and pull apart all the flowers looking for coins…womp womp… I know that feeling of, “Ah – beautiful! ….dammit.” 😉
Kristin Addis says
what?! So wrong!
Stephanie Torres says
Your fail number one was mine as well. First night at Deejai and was mingling with new friends… little did I know that the “Lanna Lantern Release” (had no idea it was called that) was happening right at that very moment. But it’s okay, still got some good photos of the lanterns that made up for it haha.
Sheila says
This is truly awesome! Love that it’s all captured in photo’s. I laughed, in a good way, and I like this better then your post when it actually went right the following year. Your experience here captures something a bit more meaningful, I think. Heading to Thailand for the first time very soon. Can’t wait for memories like this =)
Kristin says
Haha thanks 🙂 It was a pretty funny memory. Sometimes completely failing ends up even better!
Athena says
Came across your blog today and love it!
My boyfriend and I are about to take off on our RTW trip for the next year and seeing the lantern festival in Yi Peng is at the top of my list on things to do. I heard they don’t announce the day of the release until the week before. Do you have any tips on how to make it there for the non-touristy $80 release?
-Athena
Kristin says
I managed to attend the most recent one and wrote the directions at the bottom of the post: https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/yi-peng-chiang-mai/
Athena says
Awesome thanks! Glad to see you were able to make up for the one you missed, the pictures look stunning. I cannot wait to see it myself.
Larissa says
Hi there! I’m planning my solo 7 months backpacking around Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and I was wondering if you brought your backpack along with you everywhere you went every day or where you were able to store it if you were staying in a town for a few days.
Kristin says
Definitely leave the backpack at the hostel. You can use the lockers there to store valuables and if you’re really worried about the bag you can lock it to the bed post or something immovable with a PacSafe.