Dive, Dive,
Dive….
The
word is out my beach bound brethren … tall, dark, handsome men seen going down
faster than the Titanic and clear emerald seas full of beautiful “expectant” females….
No,
my mechanism hasn’t completely gone (although still debated by many), in fact
such surreal sights can be seen annually here in the land of smiles should you
happen to be wandering through Thailand’s southern Trang Province during February
each year.
I
am of course referring to the Kingdom’s now world famous Trang Underwater Wedding
Festival to be held on February 13-15, 2004 on Koh Kradan, Trang (try not to laugh)
when lovers from both Thailand and around the world slap on the traditional white
dress, tuxedo and flippers to tie the knot…..otherwise known as whacking on the
biggest anchor in history!
Its hard
to believe that the festival is now in its 8th year and for 2004 around
40 or so fearless (or mentally challenged) couples are expected to literally take
the final plunge into marriage (the need escapes me, so answers on postcards please)
by getting hitched following a traditional Thai wedding ceremony many fathoms
below the surface of the stunning Andaman Sea.
Undeniably
the world’s ultimate danger sport, but if you’re going to finally enter the world
of “wedded bliss” then you may as well do it on style!
For
those non-divers out there probably the best spectacle of the whole ceremony is
the marine version of the colourful traditional Thai wedding "khan maak"
procession when the groom is accompanied by relatives and close friends as he
visits his bride's parents with offerings and a dowry. Trang’s waterworld version
of the "khan maak" procession is a party mad entourage of flag waving
speedboats heading off with the wedding party to the island of Koh Kradan, located
a few miles off the south west coast, where bride and groom will receive blessings
from all present.
Nevertheless
there is one obvious question that comes to mind regarding this collective act
of marine madness: Does an underwater wedding dictate that our years of freedom
(or sole ownership of the TV remote) can not be bid farewell in the sacred and
time honoured fashion of stag and hen nights flowing with laughing liquid?
Or
is there an actual market out there for underwater strippers?
Whether
you are planning to do some diving in the Andaman soon or will be passing through
Trang Province around February 13-15, checking out this unique annual Thai spectacle
is a trip worth adding to any travel plan. Enjoy.
And
remember….
Keepitreal.
