New Year's Eve in Chiang Mai

CD xmas tree

   In Chiang Mai, I have to say, New Year's Eve is a massive deal. At the Tha Phae gate on the east side of the city, was a humongous celebration. Many streets were closed off and packed with people. There were street stalls with tons of food and more stalls selling clothing, jewelery, and lots of other stuff. A huge stage had been set up and there was a massive Christmas tree made entirely from CDs! Far away it sparkled and you could only tell it was made of CDs if you went up close.
   But the most amazing thing was the lanterns. In the streets hundreds and hundreds of lanterns, a paper hot air balloon thing that when you lit the material at the bottom, drifted off into the sky, in vast numbers. It was quite a sight to see them all drifting away. We also got a massage on the street and an iced mocha at a starbucks , where we sat on the 3rd floor, enjoying the view and the drink. Then, at midnight we watched fireworks shoot into the air, beginning the new year.

massages on the street