Celebrated Climbing
Posted By KDSH

The recently concluded Krabi Rock & Fire International Contest 2011, held on April 16th and 17th April was a great success. International rock climbers from various countries arrived at Railay Beach and Tonsai Beach for the two days competition.  The event highlighted rock climbing activity in Krabi Province and aim to push rock climbing activity as an annual tourism promotional event of the province.  Adding and further projecting the image of Krabi  as a renowned mecca whereby  participants can have their skills judged.

This tremendous success have to be recognized and credits be given to the combined efforts and co-operation by the following groups :-

• Krabi Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports
• Krabi Province Administration Organization
• Aonang Sub-District Administration Organization
• Krabi Hotel Association
• Krabi Tourist Association
• Tourism Authority of Thailand
• Railay Rock Climbing Club
• Business Tourist Club Ao – Railay, Leam Phra-nang
• Business Tourist Club Ao Ton Sai
• Other interested, authorities, organization, associations and clubs.

On The Rock

Krabi has world-class rock climbing sites with more than 700 rock climbing routes created since  the late 1980′s. Magnificent limestone cliffs casting long shadow during the day makes a perfect heaven for climbers to select  their own levels and challenges. Sprouting along the shoreline with sheer vertical rock faces, international competitors gather to scale bolted routes with steep pocketed walls, overhangs and dropping stalactites.

Better Than A Gecko’s Foot

Bouldering climbing is a popular sport in Tonsai and Railay. A good way to practice technical rock climbing skills over a  crash pad when hopping from stone to stone mimicking the agile gecko. Deep Water Solo is another form of solo rock climbing that relies solely upon the presence of water at the base of a climb to protect against injury. Basically you take a boat out to an island and as the captain hovers near one of the cliffs, you dive off the boat with your climbing shoes on, swim up to the rock wall and start climbing. There is no need for ropes or a belay because if you fall, you end up in the sea. Ideally you want to reach a comfortable spot before letting go and kicking off the wall. Just slipping off a hold during a tough move and falling straight down is far from ideal but you can always start all over again.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS IN KRABI

KRABI ROCK & FIRE INTERNATIONAL CONTEST 2011

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]]> http://www.krabidiscovery.com/new-release/krabi-rock-fire-international-contest-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.krabidiscovery.com/travel-digest/local-news-event/greetings-from-krabi-discovery/ http://www.krabidiscovery.com/travel-digest/local-news-event/greetings-from-krabi-discovery/#comments Sat, 25 Dec 2010 16:04:32 +0000 KDSH http://www.krabidiscovery.com/?p=12432

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011.
Posted By KDSH.

New Year is the only holiday that celebrates the passage of time.

On behalf of our team, we wish everyone a safe, prosperous and Happy New Year in 2011.

To our clients and friends, hearty thanks for sticking by us in 2010 and your acceptance with us to make Krabi Discovery what it is today. Our resolution for this new year is to keep up to our commitment to improve and enhance our hospitality service beneficial to our visitors with more happy vacation returns to Krabi – Mother’s Nature Playground.

Once again, we wish everyone all the best and great success in your resolution for 2011.

Right Here, Right Now

Play And Stay In Tune With Nature

Set sail for the new challenge

ACYC TO THE RESCUE

Uncertainties over the future of the 2011 Bay Regatta (formerly Phang Nga Bay Regatta) were resolved recently when the Ao Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC) stepped in, albeit late in the day, to organise this massively popular ‘roving’ regatta. The Bay Regatta regularly attracts 40-50 entries and is scheduled for Wednesday 9th to Sunday 13th February 2011.
When it became clear that the 2011 regatta, the 14th event, looked like it was going to be cancelled, ACYC’s Commodore, Mick Kealy, called an emergency meeting to rally the troops; the decision was made to move forward.  “There is a lot of work to be done quickly,” said Kealy, noting that it is now late in the day to attract the sponsors needed to make the event work. “Events like this, and the images they project of Phuket and the surrounding areas, are of tremendous value in boosting the region’s image, not just as one of the best yachting destinations in the world, but also as a high value tourism destination across the spectrum,” said Kealy.

Raising The Yellow flags.
Posted By KDSH

In Thailand, the vegetarian festival is celebrated throughout the country as Gin Jae, also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival. Popularized by the Chinese migrants with its cultural roots and legends in provinces like Bangkok, Phuket,  Krabi, Trang, Hatyai and throughout the country. Every year, during  the first  nine days of the Chinese 9th lunar month – usually in early October, the streets comes alive with fluttering yellow flags displayed in restaurants, supermarkets and food stalls. During this festival, devotees are dressed all in white and must be ritually clean, having abstained from sex and observed a vegetarian diet for the past nine days. Vendors selling their vegetarian food at their establishments by displaying yellow flags with the Chinese  character “Jae ” written on it in red.

Various beliefs and legends ……
The festival of the Nine Emperor Gods is held in remembrance of the nine brothers from a fishing village in Fujian Province escorting a Ming Dynasty prince to escape… to Kongka – the present day Songkhla in Thailand via Yunnan. They navigated and arrived under the guidance of the nine heavenly northern stars and lived their lives as recluses. Later as the stories goes, nine prayer urns were found floating off the sea of Songkhla, other says Phuket Island instead. These urns are believed to be the manifestations of the nine brothers whose spirits have ascended to the Southern Heavens. Their annual appearances among the Chinese communities along the coasts led to the welcoming and sending-off ceremonies of the festival where prayer urns are regarded as the vehicles of the Nine Emperor Gods.

Another version …..
Relating that some fishermen from Kongka – present day Songkhla, found a vase sealed with talisman paper floating in the sea with voices calling for help. As the boat approached the vase, they were instructed to unseal the vase. They did as they were told and saw nine heads soaring into the sky in broad daylight! Later one of the fishermen had a dream in which the nine divine brothers warned him of an impending storm, but assured him that he would be safe if he erected a flag on the masthead with “Jiuhuangye” (Nine Emperor Gods) written on it. The fisherman followed the instruction, but the other crews just laughed at him when he advised them to do the same. Sure enough, the next time they set sail there was an unusually fierce storm, and all the boats except the one bearing the flag were wrecked and their crews drowned……

Krabi Celebration
Trance dances and rituals that are performed in the streets of Krabi during the Vegetarian Festival are believed to purify the environment for the general well-being of the local community. The procession is led by the entranced spirit mediums to the beat of the drum and gong. Showing religious faith in the power of the Nine Emperor Gods to bring good luck, cure sickness, longevity and wealth is sufficient encouragements for the devotees to participate in the rituals. Believers from the respective temples gathered around Krabi River for the send off by ferries loaded with burning joss sticks, incense, ritual items and firing crackers that symbolizing an end to the religious fervour and joy of the worshippers and spectators.

2010 Krabi Vegetarian Festival – Videos

Part One - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibtt1-RErmk&feature
Part Two - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB0zbyA3vAk&feature
Part Three

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]]> http://www.krabidiscovery.com/travel-digest/local-news-event/krabi-vegetarian-festival-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.krabidiscovery.com/travel-digest/local-news-event/phuket-vegetarian-festival-2009-2/ http://www.krabidiscovery.com/travel-digest/local-news-event/phuket-vegetarian-festival-2009-2/#comments Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:02:34 +0000 KDSH http://www.krabidiscovery.com/?p=11356

Last Year Phuket Vegetarian Festival
Jui Tui  Shrine

Image By : Jamie Monk

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Source : kingdiggler

Last day of the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket, Thailand. Alter carriers dance in explosions at the Phuket Vegetarian Festival Street Procession, Phuket Town, Thailand. Young men carry alters of the deity images though town which culminates at central locations where merchants cover them with huge strands of firecrackers and larger explosives. The louder and longer blasts are best to drive away evil spirits. The experience is deafening and engulfs the men and alters in a painful barrage of fire and smoke.

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival celebrates the beginning of Taoist Lent, when devout Chinese abstain from eating all meat and other vices. The festival takes place on the first 9 days of the 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar. Everyone dresses in white and shopkeepers set up small alters with offerings of incense, flowers, candles, fruit, and 9 cups of tea to the 9 emperor deities honored by the festival.
Mediums bring the 9 gods to earth entering a trance state and piercing themselves with all kinds of objects, climbing knife ladders, and walking on hot coals. The mediums participate in daily processions through town where they stop at the store front alters, drink one of the 9 cups of tea, and offer blessings to the merchants. The shopkeepers stand in prayer like fashion respecting the mediums that are temporarily possessed by the deity. The self torture is done to shift evil from individuals to the mediums and bring the community good luck.
Chinese tour groups come to witness since there is no record of this type celebration of Taoist Lent in China. The festival is believed to have started when a Chinese theatre troupe fell ill for failing to honor the 9 emperor gods of Taoism. They were quickly cured when they adhered to the 9 day ritual now held each year promoting inner peace, brightness, and proper hygiene.
Source : kingdiggler

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2008 / Part 1
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Source : sevenguests

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2008 / Part 2
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Source : sevenguests

Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2008 / Part 3
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Source : sevenguests

Flickr Images – Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2009

Posted By : Jamie Monk

http://jamie-monk.blogspot.com/2009/10/vegetarian-festival-procession-photos.html

Street processions on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October for Jui Tui and Kathu shrines.
Photos taken in Phuket town and Kathu village (about 5km outside town).
Items are from between 26 Oct 2009 & 31 Oct 2009.

Click this link to view Flickr Images.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamiemonk/sets/72157622666788342/show/

2010 Phuket Vegetarian Festival – Full Schedule

Posted By :  jamie-monk

http://jamie-monk.blogspot.com/2009/10/vegetarian-festival-procession-photos.html

The festival mostly takes place around Phuket Town and the many Chinese Shrines in Phuket that reflect the Chinese ancestry of many of the people here. Most of the shrines are in or near the town (Jui Tui, Bang Neow, Kathu, Sam Kong), with a few around other parts of the island. The amazing street processions take place early morning around the town – if you want to see one, it’s a good idea to get a hotel in town, as processions start around 7am. If your hotel is in Patong, please note it takes around 30 minutes into town and traffic will be diverted around the procession routes. There are “Jae” food stalls all over the island, but not much around the beach areas. Phuket Town is the place to be.

entranced Ma Song cuts himself with a sword -
street procession in Phuket Town, vegetarian festival 2009.

Street procession in Kathu village -
they walk from here 10km to the end of the walk at Sapan Hin in Phuket Town

The Amazing Phuket Vegetarian Festival
It all kicks off on Thursday 7th October in the late afternoon when the “lantern pole” is raised at each temple down which the 9 Emperor Gods are said to descend in the night. I will aim to be at Kathu shrine for this event, as I was last year : Pole Raising at Kathu Shrine. Not much happens for the next couple of days, but the shrines are interesting to visit any evening. The first street procession will be on the 10th October. All processions pass through the old town, all start early (around 7am), all finish at Sapan Hin, right in the south of town.

Vegetarian Festival 2010 – Schedule
Thursday October 7th

At all participating Chinese shrines, starting around 5pm – raising of the lantern pole. Events at the shrines will go on all evening. The lanterns are hung from the pole at midnight, signifying the start of the festival. There will be plenty of firecrackers and fireworks too. Well worth a visit on Thursday evening. I was at Kathu shrine for the pole raising ceremony last year.

prayers at Kathu shrine on the first night of the vegetarian festival 2009

8th – 9th October – there are no big events on the first 2 days of the festival, but you can visit any shrine at any time, and the Jae food is to be found all over the island but mostly around the shrines and especially in Phuket Town.
Sunday October 10th
Street procession starting 7am for Sapam Shrine – this shrine is a few km north of Phuket Town (about a 10km walk from the shrine to Sapan Hin). You will always find the TV news and lots of photographers at the first procession, as everyone wants to get the first photos for the paper, and local TV always covers the festival. Since it’s a Sunday, I might try to get to this one.
Monday October 11th
Street procession from Sam Kong Shrine – it’s not far from my house – see more here: Sam Kong Shrine. They will walk from the shrine in the north of town not far from Tesco Lotus, past the Bangkok-Phuket Hospital and through old Phuket town. It’s not far from my house but the road there is narrow and parking a nightmare.. I might just maybe go early that day and try to see something. (I say this every year, and end up going to see the processions just a couple of times.
Tuesday October 12th
Street procession – Ban Tha Rue shrine which is in the Thalang area of Phuket in the center of the island – this used to be the main town in Phuket a few hundred years ago and there are several historic temples in the area and an annual festival celebrating the history of Phuket.
Wednesday October 13th
Lots of things going on today… In the morning, a street procession in Phuket Town for the Bang Neow Shrine, which is in the south of the town on Phuket Road, one of the biggest and most important shrines participating in the festival. Bang Neow is only a mile from Sapan Hin, so they walk first north around the old town and then back south to Sapan Hin and back to the shrine. Expect big crowds on this day. There is also a procession for Cherng Talay Shrine which takes place in Thalang district. Maybe a good one to see if your hotel is in Kamala, Surin or Bang Tao.
Later in the day – Fire Walking at several locations including Sapam Shrine, Sapan Hin (participants from Jui Tui shrine) and Sui Boon Tong shrine (just west of the market and not far from Jui Tui shrine in Phuket Town). Fire walking kicks off around 8pm. I have yet to see this, must make an effort!

Pierced and ready to go, Kathu shrine, October 25th 2009

Thursday October 14th
Street procession starting at Jui Tui shrine, which is the biggest shrine in town – you find it just west of the main market in Phuket Town. I went last year – it was crowded but I got lots of photos! Hard to get into the shrine, better to find a spot just outside or along the procession route – the route easy to find – just follow the people!
Later in the day, there are lots of events on the schedule at various shrines including bladed ladder climbing at Sam Kong and Bang Neow shrines and “nail bridge crossing” at Sapam Shrine. Not sure what that is!
Friday October 15th
Street procession from Kathu shrine to Phuket Town. It’s a fair walk this one, about 10km from Kathu Shrine all the way to town, around the old town and ending at Sapan Hin. Kathu is my “local” shrine. Only a mile from my house. I have been there early the last 2 years to watch piercing rituals. Want to get there even earlier this year. Things happen early in the morning that are mysterious. I want to be there.
Later in the evening on the 15th – fire walking at Bang Neow, Cherng Talay and Sam Kong shrines.

Getting pierced at Kathu Shrine. If you have a sensitive stomach, don’t be there!

Saturday October 16th
The last day of the festival. There is a procession for Sui Boon Tong shrine, then events such as firewalking at Kathu shrine at 3pm – since Saturday is my normal day off, I really must try to see this! And then in the evening/night there is a huge procession around Phuket Town, with people carrying statues of the gods to Sapan Hin. Millions of firecrackers and fireworks. And this year I will be there. It looks mad. I have seen it on TV. I don’t think I will take a camera, there will be so much smoke and dust and so many firecrackers, and I hear it’s advisable to wear something more than flip flops or you’ll get burnt toes!
Sunday October 17th
Around 5pm the lantern poles are lowered at the shrines marking the very end of the festival.
I would LOVE to see all processions and events every night at various shrines, but of course have to work and have a family too.. If you are in Phuket during the vegetarian festival, make an effort. This is unmissable. If you are not sure when to come to Phuket and want to see something different – October 7th – 17th! This is a very special time of year. And don’t be afraid of the food! I am (almost) looking forward to a week of tofu and beansprouts.. Joking.. you can get any food you want, but in some areas there are loads of Jae food stalls, so if you are a vegetarian, worth a visit for the food alone.
Lots more information about the festival and lots of photos on this blog. Start at the link below for an introduction and links to various pages on this blog about the processions, shrines and food. October 7th – 17th… see you in Phuket!

Oh, I will just end with my favourite photo from last year,
taken just outside Jui Tui shrine in Phuket Town last year, October 24th.
I do like a close up portrait.

Traditional Boat of Reu Hua Tong

The crews of 12 paddlers in long boats competed along the river passing the Khanaab Nam pier in Krabi town. They entered the annual Krabi Traditional Boat Races competition racing for a trophy donated by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. It was such a spectacular scene amidst natural beauty, as it has a beautiful mountain as back drop. The Khanaab Nam Mountain is Krabi’s tourism logo. Keeratisak Phukawluan, Krabi Mayor, said: “The traditional boat of Reu Hua Tong became part of Krabi tourism. Today the logo of the boat is all over local tourist sites. The boat race event brings out local wisdom under the cooperation of all parties, especially local government. We proudly present the special type of boats which has long been present in these waters.” The cooperative determination of each crew is contributed in rhythms and unity moving the boats forwards, with a pointed head on the bow or front. The high front part of these type of boats is locally called Reu Hua Tong, said to be a special character as it mobilizse well amidst waves and glides the boat to its destination or in this case the finish line. The Leader of the Singsompop team said: “During the race we control the rhythm by sound. If one misses a beat or shout, it can cause disruption so either 10 or 20 of us must shout at the same time. Its like the power to control and mobilize the boat, slower or quicker.” The Hua Thong boat is originated in Krabi. Its made of wood with a main purpose for fishing.. They competed for a trophy donated by HRH Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn. People say the boat signifies local wisdom as it can be a tool for daily routine careers and become a local identity. The boats today are preserved and maintained to use in the tourism industry. The long boats can be found even though some are adapted by adding engines to replace the paddlers to serve todays transport. The Krabi Mayor added: “Locally the boat is recognized as the legend which lives along with the locality and tourism. We link the boats with local studies into classrooms to revitalize the local wisdom. This enables the younger generation to get to know and maintain the tradition for a long time to come.” The annual boat race event hence, not only promote local water sports, but it plays vital part in keeping alive the local tradition and show off local identity to visitors to Krabi as well.

TEXT SOURCE : Andaman News NBT TV

MEMORABLE MOMENTS IN KRABI

Krabi Traditional Boat Race

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HEAVEN BOUND

In the heat of the midday sun, Anna Slukushicina, 30, a rock climber from St Petersburg, attempts an overhang 10 metres above Krabi’s Tonsai Bay. The prominent feature of an overhang, or layback, as climbers call it, is to oppose hand-holds with foot-holds and it’s a strenuous technique used by climbers to overcome some of the toughest spots. The crowd on the ground collectively holds their breath, clapping loudly when she finally completes the tough route. Slukushicina is one of 150 climbers participating in Krabi’s annual Rock and Fire Festival and she and her team partner take top prize, beating competitors from 14 countries in the Lead Marathon climbing contest by completing 47 out of a total 50 routes all over the Railay peninsula. Slukushicina, a rock climbing coach back home with 10 years experience to her credit, has travelled to many famous sites around the world, scaling rock faces in Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, Italy and of course, in Russia. She’s spent the last four months in Krabi and says she really appreciates the towering limestone cliffs. “This is one of the best destinations for rock climbing. Nowhere else in the world can climbers stay by the sea close to these beautiful cliffs and climb anytime they feel it,” she says.

As a professional climber, Slukushicina, enjoys the hazards and complexities of Krabi’s cliffs, “Each rock gives me the skills and knowledge to explore others. I’ve had the time of my life in Railay,” she says. The rock climbing competition, held from April 16 to 18 as part of the Krabi Rock and Fire Festival 2010, was a great success. Apart from the Lead Climbing Marathon, rock climbers can tested their endurance in the Speed Climbing as well as Deep Water Soloing categories at Ao Nang tower, a popular site between Railay West and Tonsai Bay. Rock climbing, says Slukushicina, is an independent sport using only hands, feet and a safety rope. Railay and its environs offer the perfect terrain, with more than 700 bolted sport climbing routes ranging from beginner 5a’s  right up to the extremes of 8c under the French grading system. A plethora of climbing schools run by Thais have sprung up in Railay East and Tonsai Bay, with local experts quick to separate extreme athletes from novices and set up climbing routes appropriate for each group. At the far end of Railay east, the beautiful cliff known as 123 is the gathering point for many climbers. Enthusiasts can choose from more than 10 routes and all beginners are advised to start here to get their strength up before going elsewhere. Several hundred climbing routes have developed since the late 1980s, when Krabi first started seeing people scaling its limestone mountains. Routes include high quality limestone, steep, pocketed walls, overhangs and hanging stalactites. Access is usually from the beach and some routes can only be accessed by boat from below. Bouldering, short climbs over a crash pad, is another popular sport, and a good way to practise technical rock climbing skills, though care should be taken when hopping from stone to stone. Deep Water Soloing is also another rock climbing category that has just started to gain popularity in Railay. It’s a form of solo rock climbing that relies purely upon the water at the base of a climb to protect against injury. Ao Nang Tower, is popular for Deep Water Soloing with more than 10 routes for which climbers can choose With limited bolts, it’s a challenging climb but watching the competitors scale the rock is great fun. The tide starts to come in as we watch the fire dancing competition on the beach of Railay West on the last night of the festival. The winner is Tanarat Vejpitak, 14, from Railay, who tells me he’s been performing with fire since he was just three and a half. He’s thrilled to be taking home the prize money. Slukushicina is almost unrecognisable in a stunning evening dress clutching the trophy given to her by Tourist Authority of Thailand governor, Surapol Svetserani. It rains later in the evening but the shower quickly blows over, leaving us with fresh sea breeze under the cloudless sky. The reggae music that’s unique to Railay beach picks up again and the rock climbers, fire dancers and their audience are all happy, proud too to be part of this small festival that’s all their own.

By VIPASAI NIYAMABHA
SOURCE : http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/05/01/travel/heaven-bound-30128332.html

SHOTS OF THE DAY

Date: 10 – 18 April 2010
Venue: Nationwide

Looking for an incredible Thai festival to celebrateω Well, Songkran, the festival of “water throwing”, is the most celebrated and merriest of Thai festival. Celebrated on a national scale, the Thai New Year always captures the imagination of travellers for both its cultural and fun attributes of water splashing among friends and relatives. “Songkran” in Sanskrit means the beginning of a new Solar Year. During this period. The young and old wear new clothes and various religious ceremonies are carried out. On the eve of Songkran, housewives busy themselves by cleaning their house for good luck. On 15 April, a very significant ceremony called Rot Nam Dam Hua takes place, in which the young bathe the hands of their elders with scented water and ask for forgiveness. Then the party begins with water throwing to invoke good blessings on each other. Although the festival is celebrated throughout th kingdom, each region has their particular “style” in which the festival is commemorated. In Bangkok, for example, the Songkran Grand Celebration will be held from 10 to 15 April around the Rattanakosin Island district, sometimes called “Old Bangkok”. The main celebrations in the capital focus on bathing rites of replicas of revered Buddha images originating from various provinces in the North, South, East and central regions, interspersed with traditional food and desert-making demonstrations and cultural performances. The opening ceremony will take place on 10 April at Phra Chetupon Wimol Manklaram or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.

SOURCE : http://tourismthailand.org/package-promotion/content-222.html

MEMORABLE MOMENTS IN KRABI

Special Report Songkran Day

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Splashing Times In Ao Nang Beach

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