This unusual ‘dinner party’ has been held annually for about 20 years now so you would have thought that the guests-of-honor would know how to behave. Well unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately for the sake of a spectacle) – no-one has yet taught the wild long-tailed macaques monkeys table manners.
The location (the Khmer ruins) is some 70 miles north of Bangkok, and the host of this particular event is a grateful local hotelier. He is grateful for the business that the monkeys bring, and it is held that villagers believe the monkeys protect the village and even bring them good luck. The 600 or so guests are served a sumptuous feast of fruit, vegetables, rice, noodles, coca cola (apparently a favorite treat). Even menus, table-cloths and napkins are provided – I guess more for the photos. I wonder how they know its time to tuck in….or even which day to turn up?
The event now includes a procession, children dress up in monkey costumes (of course) and live music. Well – the festival works because it now draws in some 10,000 visitors – so I guess that’s the best tip the hotelier (and indeed whole village) can receive! Who said you make your own luck……? If you want to go the fun takes place on the last Sunday in November, but I wouldn’t recommend trying to eat the banquet yourself as the monkeys don’t always take too kindly to it.
Posted by Jackie Hewett on Tue 23rd September 2008 at 03:09 AM, Filed in Far East, November
This show has been going since 1960 in the Ban Ta Klang Elephant Village in the Surin province (about 450 km from Bangkik), and is organised by the Thai tourist authority. In 2008 it falls on 22nd and 23rd November.
Throughout history elephants have been well respected in Thailand and held as a symbol of power and grace. Today most Thai elephant owners and mahouts are descendents of the Kui tribe who originated from Cambodia and settled in north east Thailand. They are famed for their expertise in capturing, domesticating and training wild elephants and treat these large mammals as part of heir family.
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This festival began in 1997 and is held on the last week-end in November. It has since been awarded Australian Tourism award of ‘the most significant event in the region’ and so it one of Australia’s premier music events.
It showcases original Australian contemporary music (including unsigned roots, acoustic and jazz) in addition to featuring a few International artists. This year there will be some 90 artists performing over the 3 days on 11 stages including:
• 2 circus marquees as the primary stages
• The Bellarine historic steam train provides another venue
• The town hall is a reasonably sized seated venue
• Stoked on Hesse Street is another small seated venue
• Wharf Street stage for free, open-air music
• A church
• A grand ballroom
There are also many food stall, galleries and the kids are catered for with a kids club and the festival is famed for its great laid back atmosphere. You can also check out the aptly named ‘Foot-in-the-Door competition’ which is dedicated to emerging talent.
This is a festival for serious ‘foodies’. This year it starts on 4th October and runs until 9th November (when the white truffle season begins). White truffles are considered to be the ‘Rolls Royce’ of truffles and far superior to their black cousins.
Usually a number of the world’s top chefs (or their representatives) fly in for an invitation-only truffle auction that starts at 8am and is where some of the finest truffles change hands (for up to £1,600 per kilo). The vendors are usually local farmers supplementing their annual income, assuming their have managed to find some during the 4-5 week season.
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Posted by Jackie Hewett on Thu 18th September 2008 at 02:46 AM, Filed in Europe, November
This event has been going for around 800 years - since 1215 (including Dick Whittington in 1397). Since 1959 it has taken place on the second Saturday every November. In 2008 it will be on the 8th November. It’s a great procession - about 3 miles long which is longer than the route the procession takes! The procession starts at around 11.00am after an RAF flypast and a 2 minute silence to commemorate Armistice Day. Dick Whittington did in 1397
Twenty horse-drawn carriages, Welsh Guards, Household Cavalry, Royal Navy and Royal Gurkha Rifles all participate in addition to floats by a large number of businesses and charities. The route starts at Mansion house and winds its way to the Royal Courts of Justice where the Lord Mayor swears allegiance to the Queen. At 1.00pm the procession then makes a return journey from Victoria Embankment to Mansion House.
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