Friday, November 29, 2013

Nurses at Cape Panwa Hotel


We hope that you don’t need one but there is one at your disposal whilst you are at

The Cape Panwa Hotel has a longstanding relationship with Phuket International Hospital. Each day at 1pm a nurse will be stationed adjacent to the Front Lobby for your convenience. If you need any assistance from a nurse to or simply some advice or medication, drop by the Front Lobby and guest relations will be able to help you.

One quick thing to note, in my many years of experience of working in Thailand, I would suggest that you make sure that you’re drinking enough water to compensate for your dehydration – it will certainly help any tropical island paradise side-effects such as lethargy, overheating or headaches!

              

Monday, November 18, 2013

Loy Krathong


The Loy Krathong Festival was started approximately 700 years ago during the Sukothai period. It marked the end of the rainy season and the beginning of a dry period.

The festival gives thanks to the Goddess of Water – Phra Mae Khongkha for having blessed them with enough water to cultivate their fields.

The Krathong is usually made from a slice of coconut stump that is decorated with banana leaves and a candle placed on top.


The Krathong is lit and then placed into water, pushed and then watched whilst it drifts away. Many people will add something to make a request from the Goddess – putting a fingernail or small change on the krathong does this.


The second most common tradition is that of Miss Nopamas but the origins of this are not as clear. But what we know is that during one year of celebrating Loy Krathong a beautiful woman called Nopamas made a Krathong from banana leaves and shaped them like a lotus flower. 


The King was so taken by the beauty of the woman and the Krathong that he declared that the making of the Krathongs would continue but there would also be a beauty contest.

              

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Weird Symbols on Taxi Roofs


Last week a friend from Norway was visiting Phuket and I chose to take him on a bespoke tour of Phuket that included a selection of the hard to find Wats that do not always make the tourist maps.

As we drove in a taxi to Wat Koh Sirey my friend asked me what the symbols were on the taxi’s roof, just above the driver’s head.

The driver turned to us and explained that a monk from the temple blessed his car to keep him protected and to bring him good luck. He went on to explain this was common practice in Thailand and showed us the flakes of gold leaf still visible. I speculate that this is probably why some of the drivers drive so fast – they feel protected by unseen forces. 


He then took us to the very top of the hill and guided us around the little known but impressive golden reclining Buddha on the very top. It was beautiful and we left feeling very lucky and blessed for our good fortune.

              


View Buddhist Temples in Phuket in a larger map