Hayden on Songkran

After all the time that I have spent in Thailand, I have never managed to be here during Songkran - Thai New Year - Water Festival.

This has been no sad thing as I can think of many situations I would prefer much more than having a bucket of water dumped on my head.

But, as they say, festivals can not be avoided forever, and so this month I found myself with no other option other than to have to enjoy myself and take part .....

My first plan was to hide at home... But this is a ?5? day festival, and the cupboards were bare. Also, we had my friend Dan, and Em's sister Lucie visiting, and they were not keen on hiding out at home for the next week... The next best plan was for me to look seriously grumpy, unimpressed, and generally just a bad sport. This was not a difficult thing to achieve as I am many of these things anyway!

Along came the fateful evening when the four of us decided to venture to the centre of Bangkok for a lovely meal out. The taxi dropped us down a quiet alley and we sleuthely and skillfully edged along the streets towards our destination.

That was until I was suddenly drenched from head to toe :( Apparently a ute had dumped a massive (like REALLY massive) bucket of water over us as they drove by ... :( ... I didn't see it, and they certainly had not seen the "seriously grumpy, unimpressed, and generally just a bad sport" look on my face, or else I am sure they would have avoided me.

Approaching our destination, there was only one obstacle left; a bunch of about 12 middle aged little old Thai ladies, all armed with buckets and hanging around a couple of big (full looking) 50 gallon drums. Although unavoidable, this group looked quite safe, but to test, we sent Dan forward on his own. He got past and so I safely followed. And then, suddenly, they attacked and chased us. I was being pursued by this big dangerous looking 5ft skinny little old 50 year old woman; it was quite terrifying.

Finally, I could run no more, so I stopped and stood my ground. The to-and-fro battle that followed eventually ended with me skilfully taking the woman's own weapon and dumping it's contents over her.

The rest of the group of ladies were very impressed with my water fighting skills and I was finally able to pass the group while they clapped and cheered me.

We then enjoyed a delicious meal at the restaurant while we froze to death in the air-conditioning.