I Moved to Ketchikan

Today, Isa and I left Juneau and she went home to New York and I went to Ketchikan, Alaska. I know, not fair, right? It's no secret that I don't love Ketchikan. There may be some validity to it, but mostly it's just because I've spent so much time in Juneau. And Juneau and Ketchikan are rivals, just like New York and Boston are rivals. You claim one and automatically trash talk the other.

So me moving to Ketchikan is similar to me moving to Boston. Ew, right? But for no good reason.

Two things I legitimately dislike about Ketchikan are 1. The airport is on its own separate island so you HAVE to take a ferry across to the mainland to go into town. The ferry crosses the channel in all of about 5 minutes - it's narrow. They should just build a bridge and let the bus come straight out to the airport. 2. It rains a lot. Like, way too much. Average rainfall in the US is 39 inches per year. Average rainfall in Ketchikan is 141 inches!! Compare that to Juneau's 62 inches per year.

Anyways, it didn't rain today. And Ketchikan had its annual Blueberry Arts Festival and that was a LOT of fun. So my opinion of Ketchikan improved a little bit today. Here's a video of the festival.

Harbin Ice and Snow Festival Guide

This is one of the most unique and awesome things we have ever done. Definitely make plans to be in northern China in January.

This festival, along with the lantern festival (Yi Peng) in Chiang Mai, Thailand, was the main reason we came to Asia. So we had very high expectations. And our expectations were smashed. So cool. Here's a video of just one part of the festival: Ice and Snow World.


I'll try to make this guide simple and concise, because there is a LOT of info to digest.

What: Largest collection of ice and snow sculptures in the world, both in size and quantity.

When: January 5 through the end of February, although these things aren't built in a day, so you can see construction beforehand and various sculptures and buildings/castles are done in December and (weather permitting) last through March. But to be safe, go in January when everything is new and the tourists haven't broken everything yet.

Where: Here's where it gets complicated. The Ice and Snow "Festival" is a collection of lots of ice sculptures and structures strewn all over Harbin, the Songhua River, and Sun Island. Here is a map showing the top five attractions during the Ice and Snow Festival:

Click the map to enlarge it.

Ok, so your hotel is going to be somewhere near Zhongyang Street downtown (if it's not, switch it so it is). From your hotel, you should be able to walk to everything downtown. You'll need to take a bus or a taxi over to Sun Island though. A taxi will cost 30-50 yuan, depending on your negotiating skills. The bus is 2 yuan and it's a straight shot from the Flood Control Monument to Ice and Snow World or the Snow Expo.

Buses to Ice and Snow World: 88, 118, and 336
Buses to Snow Sculpture Art Expo: 29, 54, 85, 88 and 346

On the Harbin side, you can catch these buses from the main bus station on Youyi Street, a block up Zhongyang from the Flood Control Monument, in between Zhongyang and Zhaolin Park. They go every 10-15 minutes.

Note. This is Bus 88:

You can walk between Ice and Snow World and the Snow Sculpture Art Expo, but keep in mind that it's -25 degrees, so that's a long time to be exposed. A taxi between the two parks is 30 yuan (ish) because they know you're stuck so they charge more.

Which location is which?

Ice and Snow World

The main attraction that you've seen in pictures and the only thing that could make a sane person venture into -25 degree weather on purpose is Ice and Snow World. That's what the video above is. Go at night, since you'll get to see all the lights.

There are also free shows included in your admission price.

Snow Sculpture Art Expo

Whereas most of the other parks and exhibits focus mainly on ice sculptures, this park is almost entirely snow sculptures. Some are small (like 10'x10' cubes), but others are massive.

There are a few sculptures they let you interact with, but most of them are roped off to just look at.

Zhaolin Park (aka Ice Lanterns)

This is a relatively smaller park, but it's right in the center of town so it's so much easier to access. Zhaolin Park has been the location of the annual ice lantern sculpture festival for over 40 years. This has more intricate ice sculptures than any of the other parks and it was far less crowded when we went.

Songhua River (aka Winter Wonderland)

We didn't see an actual name for this area, so we nicknamed it the Songhua River Winter Wonderland. This is an area about the size of a carnival staked out ON the Songhua River. (Read: It's slippery because you're on ice.) It's a chaotic fun mess of random rides and attractions, just like an American carnival, except they're all on ice.

This is probably better experienced in a 30-second video. So here:


Zhongyang Street

This is the main street in town, and restaurants and shopping abound. Throughout the street, you can find various ice sculptures and interactive ice/snow displays (like an ice maze!).

How much is everything?

Zhongyang Street is completely free. (Yay!)

Songhua River is free to walk around, but you have to pay for each attraction (10-30 yuan, they've got a few slides, a banana boat pulled by a tractor, chairs on skis to rent, bumper bikes and cars, etc).

Zhaolin Park is 150 yuan (about US$25, I think this is slightly overpriced, but still worth seeing.)

Snow Art Expo is 240 yuan (about US$40, pretty dang cool. Mostly worth the price.)

Ice and Snow World is 300 yuan for night, which is any time after noon. (US$50 each, and worth every penny.)

So if you do all five, you're looking at a minimum $115 USD per person.

What should I wear?

Everything you own. It's cold. Think of the coldest you've ever been and then think how much colder you would have been if you were naked and completely exposed. It's a little colder than that.

Wear layers. Lots of layers. Here's what we wore:


Are there any places to get warm?

Yes. You can only stay outside for about 2 hours at a time before you need to come inside and defrost. Harbin knows that so they've provided warming stations in most touristy areas.

Ice and Snow World has the most heated buildings and rest areas, and they also have the free shows to attend which give you some entertainment while you thaw out.

The Snow Sculpture Art Expo is really spread out, so watch the map and plan accordingly.

Zhaolin Park only has one building we found, and although it was warmer than outside, we're pretty sure it was still below freezing inside. It's amenities were the worst of the three parks, but it's the smallest too so you don't need as much time to see everything.

Zhongyang Street has shops all along it for warmth.

The Songhua River has no amenities or buildings, but you're only a block from Zhongyang Street.

Anything else?

Probably, but I can't think of anything right now. Ask me in the comments below or on any of the YouTube videos on my channel and I'll tell you anything you want to know.

Yi Peng in Chiang Mai - Mae Jo Lantern Release Guide

Because it's so difficult to find the information that actually helps, here it all is, in one place.

First, a little background.

Yi Peng and Loi Krathong are two different holidays, held on the same weekend. Loi Krathong happens all over Thailand. Loi Krathong literally means "floating lantern" or "floating basket" and you can see people putting little candles on lotus leaves in any body of water throughout Thailand. It's nice, but that's not what this post is about.

This is about Yi Peng.

Yi Peng translates to "Second Full Moon." This refers to the second month of the Lanna lunar calendar (not the Thai lunar calendar, which mostly coincides with our regular calendar). The Lanna lunar calendar is based on the harvest, so a new one starts in October, making the second month November. So this answers our first question:

When is it?

*Sept 2015 Update: Several websites are claiming there will not be a free local event in 2015, but only the "international" ticketed event (now 4500THB) on November 25, 2015. I don't believe them, so I'll keep digging until I find out for sure.

*Another Update: I believe this site. It looks like the Thai government told the organizers that they can only launch the lanterns on one night - Loi Krathong. The free Lanna Kathina event will happen on November 21, 2015. However, the organizers are claiming that they will NOT be launching lanterns that day. I still only partly believe that, since the lantern release is a big part of the ceremony. I think they're just trying to cut down the number of tourists that show up.

The festival falls on the Saturday before the full moon in November. So check this link: full moon calendar and plan to be there the weekend before the full moon in November - this could be in October. There is another festival on the Saturday afterward, but it costs $100 and is set up for tourists - it's more comfortable and less stressful, but less authentic (and a lot less lanterns).

Keep in mind that the festival is organized by a local group of monks - not by Chiang Mai. You won't find ANY information on the event on any of Chiang Mai's info pages, or even in the city or at your hotel. Which, I suppose, is why you're here and why I'm even writing this post. The group will put out a press release a few weeks before the event. Look for a pdf in the search results here: Lanna Kathina Ceremony (Yeah, as crazy as that is, to find what you're looking for, don't search for Yi Peng or Loi Krathong.) The actual festival that you want to see is the Lanna Kathina Ceremony organized by the Lanna Dhutanka monks.

Where is it?

It's on a field next to Lanna Dhutanka's temple, sometimes called Tudongkhasathan Lanna. It is NOT at Mae Jo University, as we found out. It's above it. Here are the actual Lat/Long coordinates: 18.911305, 99.013607. Good. No confusion anymore.

How should I get there?

Traffic is a nightmare. It's basically a parking lot after the ceremony. And songthaews and tuk tuks are way more expensive than they should be (600B for a private tuk tuk and 1500B for a private songthaew) or if you try to just join one, you better speak thai or you'll pay a lot and they're way overcrowded.

Also, songthaews and tuk tuks wait on the main road (by overpass #2 on the map below), so there's a 2km (1.25 mile) walk to and from the actual festival grounds.

The only way you should even consider going is by renting a moto in town (usually around US$6). It's a pretty straight shot all the way, so even if you're not a super experienced scooter rider, you'll be fine cruising up the shoulder at a comfortable speed. After the ceremony gets out, you can take the shoulder and go around all the cars and buses that will be hopelessly stuck there for hours.

Use Google Maps to get to Maejo University, then follow this map the rest of the way.

When you get to that big intersection, you'll see plenty of signs saying "Maejo University" and you'll know you're in the right place. This is about 30 minutes up from Chiang Mai, so you will pass through a few major intersections before you get to this point, so watch for the university.

Once you go straight through this intersection, you'll pass under two pedestrian overpasses. After the second one, make a u-turn when there is a break in the median. Immediately after you go under that second overpass again, take a left and follow the road.

Note #1. At this intersection, if there are no police, take a left and park in somebody's front yard. It'll cost about a dollar (we paid 20 baht) and they'll watch it for you all night. When we arrived around 2pm, police were already set up with barricades. So if they won't let you take a left, go straight, then bear left at the fork, and take a left to come in from the back roads.

Note #2. If you miss this turn, no big deal. We did too. This road is residential and hardly anybody is on it. You'll get to a long wall on your left which is the backside of the field. Turn around and find a road that goes through.

Parking/Note #3. Although the event is up the road to your right, there's nowhere to park up there. So take the left and park in somebody's front lawn and pay the 20 baht for them to watch it. This entire road is lined on both sides with food vendors and people selling lanterns. You can buy food and bring it in, but you can't bring in lanterns.

Also note that there is no other way across the river than the intersection at Note #1. This creates a serious bottleneck before and after the event. Just be warned.

What time is it?

The "merit making ceremony" (Lanna Kathina, i.e. the actual reason for this entire event) takes place from 1pm to 4pm in the open pavilion/hall off to the north side of the field. People line up and two by two hand gifts to the monks. It's not really open to the public, but if you wander over to the edge, you can watch for a little bit without getting in anybody's way.

I suggest arriving no later than 3pm, since it gets pretty hectic and packed outside the event and the good spots are all pretty much taken by then. The actual launch isn't until about 7:45, but there is stuff going on from about 5:30ish. If you want to read about the event and the experience, go to my other post [here].

They shut everything down (lights off) and kick everyone out at 9pm. Then you join the throngs and make your way out to whatever transportation you have waiting.

How much is it?

The event is a religious ceremony that they have graciously opened to the public. Keep this in mind throughout the event - be respectful and follow their instructions. They're letting you take part in a sacred tradition.

Because it is a religious ceremony, they won't ever charge people to participate. You are not required to purchase a lantern (you could just sit inside and watch in wonder and awe). If you would like to buy a lantern (or Khom Loi as they're called in Thai), they sell them inside the event for 100 baht each (about US$3). You can buy as many as you want. They have tons. You are not allowed to bring in lanterns from outside. This is because they use approved lanterns with biodegradable materials and safe burners/strings.

So all in all, if you rent a scooter, pay for parking, buy two lanterns, and grab some food, you'll spend about 450 baht (about $15). (Food ranges from 10 to 30 baht. We bought a delicious plate of pad thai for 15 baht.)

Where should I sit?

Here's a screen grab from the official site of the event (this is the site for the $100 one, if you want to go to that, but the location is the same).

Only invited guests that participate in the merit making ceremony in the Buddha Image Hall (from 1pm to 4pm) are allowed within the circle. Regular people like us are required to stay outside of it until after the launch. During the ceremony, monks walk in from the back along the path straight into the "ceremony zone." Then, monks and others walk around the circle with candles. The intersection where these two paths meet gets packed with obnoxious amateur photographers who won't sit down.

Your best bet is to sit along either one of these paths if you're super into photography/videography. If you're going just for the experience, anywhere is a good seat. It's actually probably better to not sit along the edge, but sit in the middle of the field so you have lanterns all around you.

What should I wear/bring?

Because it is a religious ceremony and you are on religious grounds, they have strict guidelines on what you cannot wear. No short shorts (they recommend pants, but many people wore knee-length shorts and they were fine), no singlets/tanks or bare shoulders. Dress modestly and respectfully, like you were going to church. Wear white if possible.

Bring sunscreen since you'll be sitting out in the sun for a few hours before the event starts.

Bring some snacks and bottled water. They let you bring in outside food. Alcohol is NOT permitted - you and your drinks will be kicked out if they catch you.

Anything else I need to know?

I can't think of anything. If you have other questions, ask in the comments and I'll answer them. Enjoy the festival. It is an amazing experience that I hope everyone gets a chance to see at least once in their life.

Brian and Isa from everythingBrisa

If you want to read more about the experience of attending Yi Peng in Chiang Mai, check out my other post here: Yi Peng in Chiang Mai - An Amazing Experience

Or watch our video:

Yi Peng in Chiang Mai - Amazing Experience

I can show you pictures and videos and tell you every little detail about Yi Peng in Chiang Mai, but nothing you find online could ever do it justice. This is something everyone needs to experience for themselves.

This festival was the reason we came to Asia in the first place. After seeing Tangled...

...we looked up floating lanterns and found this festival and we've been planning it ever since. We had built up our expectations way beyond what they reasonably should have been, but the festival far exceeded our imagination. It was amazing. I still can't believe that just happened. It was so surreal. So magical. So uplifting and spiritual. Isa and I almost cried during the event. More than once.

We've done a lot of amazing things through the years - we've been extremely blessed with unbelievable opportunities around the world. But I've never quite felt like anything I've done was a "dream come true." Even walking on the Great Wall of China (which I've wanted to do my entire life). But this was. I think because it's so unreal. It really felt like a dream.

We got there around 2pm. By the way, if you want to know details like when, where, how to get there, and wear to sit, check out my other post - Maejo Lantern Release Detailed Guide. This post will be about the experience of attending the Maejo Lantern Release of the Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai.

When we arrived, the grounds were still pretty empty.

We staked out a spot on the aisle and took turns wandering around the complex.

This early, they let you wander anywhere you want. I walked around the circular path toward the back of the buddha stage.

All those poles with the plastic wrapped around the top are the candles that will be used later to light the Khom Loi (floating lanterns).

Off to the north side of the field, we watched part of the actual merit ceremony (Lanna Kathina). It's the religious ceremony that this entire event is based on, so I'm glad we got there early enough to see a little bit of it.

We purchased two lanterns (khom loi) so we could participate in the ceremony - they were just 100B (about $3) each. We figured we'd light one and release it with everyone else and then we'd have a second one to light and get our picture taken with it.

We played games on our iPad Mini and people-watched for a few hours. The crowds kept filling in the spaces all around us and by 5pm, it looked like this:

By this point, green-shirted Thai volunteers were monitoring the walkways and sections to ensure everyone stayed peaceful and organized.

Around 5:45, things started getting exciting. Two volunteers got up on a platform in front of us to demonstrate the proper method to meditate and pray...

...and then how to light and release the lanterns.

As they demonstrated, explanations were given in Thai, English, Japanese, and Chinese. In case you're wondering, here is how to properly participate:

1. Meditate to relax your body and mind
2. Light the candle
3. Unfold and extend the lantern to its full size
4. Light the lantern and wait until it's completely full of hot air
5. Make a wish together
6. Release the lantern and let it carry your wish to Lord Buddha

By 6pm, the moon started to rise above the trees just behind the stage. All the junior monks were seated and ready to begin.

At 6:20, the senior monks entered from the back of the grounds and walked along the pathway next to us to join the other monks on the stage.

Once on stage, they prayed and chanted in the old sanscrit language. I thought it was great (reminiscent of long hours I'd spent listening to Cambodian monks chanting and praying over a decade ago - I just love the sound and cadence of it), but you could tell people were getting antsy because they were getting up and moving around and being irreverent and a little disrespectful for the sacred ceremony they were attending.

People were still trying to come in from the back and by 7pm, the place was packed to capacity...

...and our green-shirted friends tried their best in very broken English to guide people over to the sides by the little reservoirs - obstructed view, but at least they were inside. Meanwhile, thousands of other patrons that couldn't get in started lighting lanterns outside the event space. You could feel the excitement and anticipation building.

Just before 7:30, monks led people who were involved in the merit ceremony earlier in the day around the circle with candles.

Be nice - I was using my point and shoot which takes 1080p HD video, but it's not so great at the night shots.

And then they had us light our candles!! That's when things got really exciting. It was all the poor announcers could do to get us to NOT light our lanterns. All four languages kept rotating, "Do not light the sky lantern." But people couldn't help themselves.

A few minutes later, they said to light the lanterns but to hold them - don't release yet. At this point, soft and beautiful music is playing throughout the field and the energy and excitement is almost overwhelming. We're all holding our lanterns, letting them fill with hot air, trying to breathe and hold back happy tears. Just trying to take a mental snapshot of this moment so we can recall every detail once it's over.

 

And then the command came in Thai, but we all knew what it meant - release!

If there were ever a moment to take your breath away, this is it.

We watched as our lantern joined with thousands of others and gently soared into the sky. We smiled and hugged and tried to really grasp that we just did that. Something we had anticipated and planned for years - it was actually happening. This amazing event was real. We were living in a scene from Tangled!

We continued to smile until our cheeks hurt. Hearts full of emotion on the brink of overflowing into tears. It's a feeling that is so wondrous and extraordinary that it's hard to express but even harder to contain. Everywhere you look is happiness and magic.

We lit our second lantern and asked our neighbors to photograph us...

...and then we wandered the grounds to explore and to watch others light and launch their lanterns.

The lanterns from the initial release kept rising farther and farther into the heavens and formed their own fiery constellation in the distance.

And then, because apparently this scene wasn't already perfect enough, they started shooting off fireworks.

Around 8:30, over by the reservoir on the south, a group of monks lined up to launch their lanterns in succession right down the line. It's super cool and it looked like a tradition, so I highly recommend making your way over there.

At 9pm, they shut the lights off within the field and kick everyone out onto the streets outside. Imagine 10,000 people jammed onto a small road, made a little smaller by the food carts on both sides.

We moseyed along at a snail's pace until we got to our moto, upon which we sat for a few minutes waiting for the crowds to die down a little. Once the street was somewhat walkable again, we ventured out and got some pad thai and donuts. Yum and yum. Then we got on our moto and took the back road out and around and up the shoulder past the buses and cars hopelessly trying to get out to the main road. We made it through in a matter of minutes and then took off - the main road was clear and moving fast, so getting back to town is no problem.

We got back home and just sprawled out on the bed, still on an emotional high from our amazing night. We did it. Everything we had planned for - the whole reason for this trip - everything was counting on this night being a success, and it was so much more than we could have ever hoped for.

For more info on how to get there, where to sit, when the festival is held, and other important details, check out my other post: Yi Peng in Chiang Mai - Maejo Release Detailed Guide

You can also watch our video about the whole experience here: