Butterflies

2,000 butterflies were released in Phuket.

I did not realise the butterfly is an indicator of a healthy eco-system. I thought it was a beautiful but fragile insect, and that if I stood long enough it would sit on my finger.  

This was the fifth event arranged by the Phuket Butterfly Garden and Insect World. The butterflies released by us were bred by the Phuket Butterfly Garden and Insect World, who are also involved in a program to breed specific species of butterflies.  

The atmosphere was lovely at the event with a lots of local children and people turning up at the Khao Phra Thaew Wildlife Reserve in Thalang near Bang Pae Waterfall.

In addition to 2,000 butterflies released, 800 trees were also planted in the area.

If this were not enough, donations were made to the Phuket Special School, 

or the Gibbon Rehabilitation Program. 

Our heartfelt thanks to the Phuket Garden and Insect World, 

and if you are in Phuket, make it a point to visit them.

              

Loy Krathong at Cape Panwa

Loy Krathong has always brought our guests images of pretty ladies trying to get a guest to buy them a rose and then placing placing small flower decorated floats on the water but what is Loy Krathong really all about?

A Krathong is a piece of material that floats, which are decorated with elaborately, folded banana leaves, a coin, flowers, candles and incense sticks.  This is believed to be symbolic of letting go of our grudges and anger so we can cleanse ourselves. Some people will add a fingernail or hair to the Krathong as emphasis.

So what about all these pretty ladies?

These beauty contests are referred to as Nopphamat Queen Contests.  The story behind this is not quite as clear, we are led to believe a Miss Nopphamat presented the King with a Krathong and the King was so impressed by the exquisiteness of the Krathong that he recommended that they be made on this day.

Our thanks are given to the Goddess of Water (Phra Mae Khongkha / พระแม่คงคา).

Many people do it for fun and it is fun.

Late news

Similar events were held at all 15 Kasemkij Hotels properties across the
Cape, Kantary and Kameo Collections, raising a total of Baht 320,000 to
support flood relief.

              

Laem Panwa Fishing Competition

The Fishing Competition is a yearly event that takes place in the local village

 – Laem Panwa.

The objective is to board your vessel, weigh anchor and cruise the ocean to catch the biggest fish.  Immediately I envisioned GPS trackers, angler chairs, an abundance of rods and lines and smooth sailing.

I was therefore pleasantly surprised to see the local fishermen cast off in their long-tailed boats with just picnic boxes, bags of ice, fishing rods and the ubiquitous Thai smile – beautiful.

The next day the fishermen returned from their night of fishing with their catches. Some of the fish actually looked quite scary, even in broad daylight - imagine catching them in the dead of night... think I've read too many Stephen King novels....

By the way, our Kantary Bay staff came second with their catch 

– congratulations boys!

fishing photographs