What started out quietly did not end quietly.
The Por Tor Ceremony is a special Festival in Phuket Town which is called "The Hungry Ghost Festival".
The Chinese Community (which is quite large in Phuket Town) believe that the spirits of their dead ancestors come back each year and so the cakes are made to feed them, turtles because they indicate a long life and red for prosperity. There are a number of postings which can tell you more if you are interested and I did visit Phuket old Town previous to this day.
What was different this year was that there was a parade from Sapan Hin organised for the last day. There were a great many girls dressed in Chinese costumes and after some fire crackers were lit it was time to leave. Thanks to the staff from the TAT in Phuket Town for their red turtle kanoms.
We paraded from Sapan Hin into Phuket Town and we ended at Por Tor Kong Shrine - passing by more turtles for sale and people watching us.
At Por Tor Kong Shrine there was unquestionably
'Organised Chaos'.
Our parade (see pic at top) turned onto Takuathung Road, which in fact is a tiny little Soi.
As we approached Por Tor Kong Shrine I understood where all of those turtles crawled from - where do they go to next? On entering it was clear that there was a high level of cooperation between everybody but as a visitor it was fascinating.
Fire crackers were lit, turtles everywhere, offerings made and blessings asked for - the tables were covered in food and drink but I do wonder whether the offering of the Thai Whisky was...
Happy Por Tor for 2012
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