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Most of us have heard of extreme sports of some kind, be it zorbing
downhill or extreme ironing under the ocean waves. In countries
like Thailand, some of the ancient festivals held here, could almost
be slotted into an extreme form of celebration.
The Vegetarian Festival held on Phuket Island is perhaps one of
these. I'm not talking about the (already extreme) body piercing
or climbing of ladders with bladed rungs; that are part and parcel
of this ancient Chinese based, celebration. It's the food, that
one could say, slots the Vegetarian Festival into the extreme categories.
Not only is the food extremely mouth-wateringly delicious, it's
extremely extensive in its varied cuisine and extreme in presentation
and colour for many of its dishes, especially the sweets (puddings).
If the festival parades put you off any thought of consuming vast
quantities of food, let alone some of the most scrumptious to be
had anywhere; go when the parades aren't drifting through the streets
in a cacophony of exploding firecrackers and bicycle-wheel-pierced
rite followers.
The vegetarian dishes, being sold along the streets and in various
shops in Phuket, particularly along the parade routes, really shouldn't
be missed. It is simply superb. Even if you have always loathed
the thought of eating vegetables (and I'm not only talking to the
kids out there)…you won't know what you are missing, until
you've sampled what's on offer during this week-long event.
The following are a couple of yummy vegetarian dishes worth trying
during the vegetarian festival: Start your gourmet adventure with
vegetarian Pho Bo, a delicious noodle soup that has its origins
in Vietnam. Follow up with Thai Yellow Vegetable Curry (a
safe dish for those that don't like to try anything too out of the
ordinary) or for the more daring; try Son in Law Eggs or
Khai Look Koei. This is one of the odder looking; but equally
mouth-watering vegetarian dishes on offer. Top it all off with another
'safe' dish: Banana Rice Pudding - a divine vegetarian dessert.
Everything, no matter what you try, is nothing less than a tongue-tingling
taste experience you are going to remember for years to come. Be
daring; even if it doesn't remind you of anything you've eaten back
home. Shut your eyes for that first bite if necessary; but whatever
you do, don't miss it! After all, where else can you honestly say
cabbage or Tofu ever tasted so good?
Note: If peanuts or MSG (monosodium glutamate) adversely affect
you; do check before consuming some of the dishes on sale.
Schedule for Vegetarian Festival parades 2006
(Parade times to be announced) 23 - 30 October
2006
Tuesday- October 24, 2006 : Sapam Shrine
Wednesday - October 25, 2006 : Samkong Shrine
Thursday October 26, 2006 : Ban Tha Rve Shrine
Friday October 27, 2006 : Bang Neow Shrine and the Cherng
Thalay Shrine
Saturday October 28, 2006 : Jui Tui Shrine
Sunday October 29, 2006 : Kathu Shrine and the Yokkekeng
Shrine
Monday October 30, 2006 : Sui Boon Tong Shrine
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