Buon That Luang

Tonight was the first night of the That Luang Festival, which occurs over the next few days,  coinciding with the full moon of the twelfth lunar month.

I am just back from a candlelight wax castle procession at Wat Simeuang, near my apartment. It is the most important wat in Vientiane.  Groups paraded around the wat three times with castles of various sizes or small tokens made of wax, flowers or candles, festooned with gold paper and kip notes (money).

As well as the castles, there were drums, portable sound systems, singing and dancing - I joined in- welcomed by the locals- some of whom had more than a few beer lao .  A wonderful experience.