Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Loy Krathong (To Float the Raft)


Loy Krathong is originally a Hindu holiday, but taken over by the Buddhists. It's about renewal -- removing the things you don't like about yourself and sending them out to sea. In this photo taken near Dili, Timor Leste several dozen people have launched candle-lit rafts -- made of the trunk of banana trees. Loy Krathong is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar. In the western calendar this usually falls in November.