Songkran - Thailand's water festival.

What is Songkran?

Well, there is a lot of water involved and don't go to Bangkok (or perhaps many areas in Thailand) if you want to stay dry during this time - that's what I know!

In 2019 it was celebrated 13-15th April, and I was lucky enough to land in Bangkok during this time.

Officially, Songkran is a celebration of the Thai New Year's national holiday.

The night I arrive, I'm not sure what I'm walking into. I wander out of the hotel, getting a warning from a soaked guest, to be prepared to get wet. I grab a beer in a bar nearby and watch from a safe distance. I see grown men with huge grins on their faces. I see people squirting random people then running, like kids again. Staff in bars have hoses or buckets to throw over people who walk by. Cheeky and fun. I love it. I want part of it.

Next day, I buy myself a water gun and head to Silom - where there is a huge street party dedicated to Songkran and being cheeky with water. We are all here for one reason - to get wet while having FUN! And do I ever. The grin on my face never leaves. I scream with laughter. But then quickly close my mouth because when I turn from one squirt I'm turning into another squirt. All I can do is look down. And then shoot back.

My gun is ok but I'm now realising size does matter. I should have gone the biggest one, as all the boys did. My gun can only push water out several metres, but it also means I conserve water. Not that water is a problem here. Locals are set up every metre or so selling water refills out of big buckets - often filled with ice. And that's the other surprise - sometimes we are getting wet with warm water, sometimes with icy cold water. Even more screams.

Don't come here and worry about the "non-bottled water on your face" safety warning. Come here with the "I only live once, and today I'm going to have fun" attitude. You will get just that. I love being a kid again for a day... laughing, being silly, screaming, having fun with strangers.

Gorgeous Festival - a day away from our kids.

A date without kids, with my bestie, and our men. Wow. This has not happened since…. err… umm… I can't remember if this has ever happened since having kids.

Ben pulls me up for a dance to The Timbers, love 'em. We are doing our shin-dig-jive when, BAM, I cop a frisbee to the back of the head. While I'm still rubbing it, and wondering if I'm bleeding, BAM, the frisbee hits me again, on my forehead. Ouch. I boot scoot it away from the stage so quick, hearing the lead singer casually saying 'hope no one has got hurt'.

I'm shocked but I have to laugh about it. I'm one of those people who will walk into doorways or trip over a mat that hundreds of people have walked over before me with no problems.

It's 32 degrees, but by about 4pm, cloud has come over, and it's beautifully overcast. Perfect. We have squeezed in among the crowd under the shade of the big gum trees, and have found more friends. Band after band are on stage, entertaining us with the chilled tunes. And we don't drink too much either… with a wait of half an hour or more for the bar, who could. We are also not going to get fat here, lines for the food, which have half sold out by the time we get to the front, are at least half an hour also.

But you know what, it is a great day, and it doesn't bother me.

Nothing is bothering me today. We sit and chat, we sit and listen, we sip wine, we wander, we even giggle on the ferris wheel (Ben hates heights). Life without kids. Every parent needs to do this for at least one day every few months, I reckon.

Well, nothing bothers me until we want to go home. Our taxi driver this morning suggested we book the return home during the day, to make sure the wait isn't too long. We listen, but decide to book just before wanting to leave, purely because, we didn't know when we wanted to leave. We ring Yellow Taxis, they confirm our booking, and then we wait. And wait. And wait. We try to call back. Always engaged. We call another taxi company to book. They are engaged too. We call Yellow Taxis again. Still no answer.

We booked our taxi at 11.30pm, and by 1am, we are still waiting. It's getting mildly cold. Everyone else is leaving - minus a few who are waiting for their taxis also. We are growing impatient. I'm getting very tired. Ben is getting hungry and grumpy. We've had enough. We ring my besties mum. She comes to get us.

Teenagers. We feel like teenagers again, having to call our parents to come get us. Shameful… What a crap ending to an awesome festival. But hey, a day without the kids. Bliss.