31 August 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Reviews & Comments - Doug
27 April 2010
Thanks again for everything Diego! You did a fantastic job of planning out our trip, and we couldn't have been happier with it. Some of the things that really stood out were:
- The accommodations in Ao Nang and Kamala Beach. Both hotels were absolutely spotless, and the staff very helpful and kind. Certainly the hotels in Phi Phi and Koh Lanta were fine, but these two really stood out. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to book either on my next trip to Thailand, and the value of each was outstanding. Hotels in Canada could learn a lot from them!
- The transfers, ferries, and other transportation. Even if we didn't know where we were going, who we were going with, and when we had to leave, someone did and made sure that we got there and on time. To say it was like clockwork doesn't do it justice (maybe like a Rolex, but not one purchased off the street in Patong???). Again, absolutely outstanding.
- Planning. Most people spend weeks planning trips to places like Thailand. You did it in less than 8 hours, and did a great job! Thank you!
- The diving booked through Sea Fun. The crew of the Scuba Queen was fantastic, and the boat was simply amazing. If you're going to dive the Similans, this is the way to go. In retrospect, I wish we had more time to spend with them diving!
Again, thank you so much for looking after us, and our trip. I'm hoping to come back for another 3 weeks next year, and will definitely be contacting you when I do!
Thanks
Doug
Reviews & Comments - Anu & family
Reviews & Comments - Robyn
27 July 2010
Hi Diego
We have arrived home safely and we all just wanted to thank you very much for everything you did for us during our recent holiday to Thailand, we had an absolutely brilliant time. Thank you again and good luck with your business in the future.
Best wishes
Robyn
Reviews & Comments - Simona
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010
Ciao Diego!!!!!!
Rientrati in Italia e rientrati subito a testa bassa nella routine quotidiana!
Ti rubo un minuto per ringraziarti ancora del tuo servizio ..... splendido!
Tutto perfetto: dal pick up all'aereoporto, all'albergo (mi hai letto nel pensiero...location perfetta), il diving e tutti i suoi ragazzi superprofessionali (Pai, Boris...e l'equipaggio), la minicrociera di lusso... (in 4 su una barca da 25 non è male vero??) .
Siamo stati benissimo...e oltre a consigliare il tuo appoggio a tutti .... speriamo presto di tornare anche noi!
Ti mando un abbraccio...e ti ringrazio anche delle piacevoli chiacchiere, davvero, entrambi abbiamo realizzato di aver conosciuto una persona speciale, limpida e senza troppi preamboli.... ce ne sono pochi oggi!
Saluti
Simona
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Phuket Vegetarian Fastival
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an annual event held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar.
It is believed that the vegetarian festival and its accompanying sacred rituals bestow good fortune upon those who religiously observe this rite. During this time, local residents of Chinese ancestry strictly observe a 10-day vegetarian or vegan diet for the purposes of spiritual cleansing and merit-making.
Sacred rituals are performed at various Chinese shrines and temples and aesthetic displays such as walking barefooted over hot coal and ascending ladders with bladed rungs are performed by entranced devotees known as "Ma Song".
The History
Phuket's Vegetarian festival (or jia chai in local Hokkien Chinese dialect) began in 1825, when the governor of Thalang district, Praya Jerm, moved the islands principal town from Ta Reua in Thalang to Get-Hoe in Kathu District, where were tin mines and Chinese miners.
Kathu was then still covered by jungle and fever was rife. It happened that a traveling opera company (which called Ngiu in Thai or pua-hee in Hokkien dialect) came from China to perform for the miners.
When the whole opera company grew sick from an unnamed malady, they kept to a vegetarian diet to honor two of the emperor gods, Kiew Ong Tai Teh and Yok Ong Sone Teh. The sickness afflicting the opera troupe then disappeared.
This greatly interested the people of Kathu, who asked how it was done. The answer came that ritual vegetarianism with its attendant ceremonies had been the cause, with the result that people embraced the faith enthusiastically.
Thus the festival began:starting the first evening of the ninth lunar month, it continued until the ninth evening; the aim was to bring good luck to individuals as well as to the community.
It later happened that one familiar with the festival volunteered to return to Kansai, in China, where he invited the sacred Hiao Ho-le or Hiao lan (incense smoke) and Lian Tui (name plaques), which have the status of gods, to come stay in Kathu. He also brought holy writings used in the ceremonies, returning to Phuket on the seventh night of the ninth month. The people, upon hearing of his arrival, went in procession to Bang Niao Pier to bring him and his sacred cargo back. This was the origin of the processions that figure so greatly in the festival.
The afternoon before the festival begins, a great pole at each temple is raised, called the Go Teng pole, with which the gods are invited to descend. At midnight the pole is hung with nine lanterns, signalizing the opening of the fest. Two important gods are also invited down at midnight to preside over ceremonies; these are Yok Ong Hong Tae and Kiew Ong Tai Tae.
Aside from this, there are other ceremonies throughout the fest, notably: invocation of the gods Lam Tao, who keeps track of the living, and Pak Tao, who keeps track of the dead; processions of the gods' images; and feats of the Ma Song-like bathing in hot oil, bladed ladder climbing and fire-walking.
The festival ends with merit making ceremonies at each temple (sadoh kro) and the send-off of the gods on the last night (when fireworks are at their most impressive).
Ma Song, or entranced horses, are devotees whom the gods enter during the fest. They manifest supernatural powers and perform self-tortures in order to shift evil from individuals onto themselves, and to bring the community good luck.
Ma Song fall into two categories:
Throughout the festival fireworks and drums are sounded, especially during ceremonies. It is held that the louder they are the better, because the noise drives away evil spirits.
Participants in the fest keep to a strict vegetarian diet for a varying number of days, usually no less than three. This they do to make themselves strong in mind and body; they refrain from all vice, eating animal flesh and killing animals. The festival thus promotes good hygiene, brightness and inner peace.
10 Rules for the Vegetarian Festival
It is believed that the vegetarian festival and its accompanying sacred rituals bestow good fortune upon those who religiously observe this rite. During this time, local residents of Chinese ancestry strictly observe a 10-day vegetarian or vegan diet for the purposes of spiritual cleansing and merit-making.
Sacred rituals are performed at various Chinese shrines and temples and aesthetic displays such as walking barefooted over hot coal and ascending ladders with bladed rungs are performed by entranced devotees known as "Ma Song".
The History
Phuket's Vegetarian festival (or jia chai in local Hokkien Chinese dialect) began in 1825, when the governor of Thalang district, Praya Jerm, moved the islands principal town from Ta Reua in Thalang to Get-Hoe in Kathu District, where were tin mines and Chinese miners.
Kathu was then still covered by jungle and fever was rife. It happened that a traveling opera company (which called Ngiu in Thai or pua-hee in Hokkien dialect) came from China to perform for the miners.
When the whole opera company grew sick from an unnamed malady, they kept to a vegetarian diet to honor two of the emperor gods, Kiew Ong Tai Teh and Yok Ong Sone Teh. The sickness afflicting the opera troupe then disappeared.
This greatly interested the people of Kathu, who asked how it was done. The answer came that ritual vegetarianism with its attendant ceremonies had been the cause, with the result that people embraced the faith enthusiastically.
Thus the festival began:starting the first evening of the ninth lunar month, it continued until the ninth evening; the aim was to bring good luck to individuals as well as to the community.
It later happened that one familiar with the festival volunteered to return to Kansai, in China, where he invited the sacred Hiao Ho-le or Hiao lan (incense smoke) and Lian Tui (name plaques), which have the status of gods, to come stay in Kathu. He also brought holy writings used in the ceremonies, returning to Phuket on the seventh night of the ninth month. The people, upon hearing of his arrival, went in procession to Bang Niao Pier to bring him and his sacred cargo back. This was the origin of the processions that figure so greatly in the festival.
The afternoon before the festival begins, a great pole at each temple is raised, called the Go Teng pole, with which the gods are invited to descend. At midnight the pole is hung with nine lanterns, signalizing the opening of the fest. Two important gods are also invited down at midnight to preside over ceremonies; these are Yok Ong Hong Tae and Kiew Ong Tai Tae.
Aside from this, there are other ceremonies throughout the fest, notably: invocation of the gods Lam Tao, who keeps track of the living, and Pak Tao, who keeps track of the dead; processions of the gods' images; and feats of the Ma Song-like bathing in hot oil, bladed ladder climbing and fire-walking.
The festival ends with merit making ceremonies at each temple (sadoh kro) and the send-off of the gods on the last night (when fireworks are at their most impressive).
Ma Song, or entranced horses, are devotees whom the gods enter during the fest. They manifest supernatural powers and perform self-tortures in order to shift evil from individuals onto themselves, and to bring the community good luck.
Ma Song fall into two categories:
- Those who, having had an intimation of impending doom, want to extend their lives
- People specially chosen by the gods for their moral qualities.
Throughout the festival fireworks and drums are sounded, especially during ceremonies. It is held that the louder they are the better, because the noise drives away evil spirits.
Participants in the fest keep to a strict vegetarian diet for a varying number of days, usually no less than three. This they do to make themselves strong in mind and body; they refrain from all vice, eating animal flesh and killing animals. The festival thus promotes good hygiene, brightness and inner peace.
10 Rules for the Vegetarian Festival
- Cleanliness of bodies during the festival
- Clean kitchen utensils and to use them separately from other who do not join the festival
- Wear white during the festival
- Behave physically and mentally
- No meat eating
- No sex
- No alcoholic drinks
- People at mourning period should not attend the festival
- Pregnant ladies should not watch any ritual
- Ladies with period should not attend the ritual
Monday, July 26, 2010
Comments & Reviews about EasyDay
Like to know what our customers think about us? Than take a few minutes to review some comments listed below.
Just click here to visit Easy Day Thailand- Sarah from New ZealandDate: April 2011
- James & MarkDate: 15 Dec 2010
- Gerald from Hong Kong Date: December 2010
- Dimitrios from Dubai Date: December 2010
- Maddi from England Date: December 2010
- Andrew & Kylie from Australia Date: November 2010
- Phooi San & Kylie from South Korea Date: November 2010
- Peachie Date: November 2010
- Andy from Singapore Date: 06 Sep 2010
- Michael and family from Australia September 2010
- Glenn from Australia Date: 31 Aug 2010
- Simona from ItalyDate: Thu, 26 Aug 2010
- Robyn Date: 27 July 2010
- Anu from India Date: June 2010
- Doug Date: 27 April 2010
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