The auspicious day has arrived. Yes ...It is Mare's 50th ...and the word has spread to Thailand. Oh yes ...and maybe it has something to do with the King's Birthday - that from about 7 am the busses start rolling in with yellow T- Shirted Thais and there is singing broadcast from Loudspeakers from Wat Po across the road. People have set up camp all along the main decorated roads - a plastic sheet of paper on the ground marks the spot. Food stalls, fruit and drinks vendors line all the streets, some seemingly having camped there overnight to get a good spot, knowing the crowds would need to be fed today. 99% of locals have yellow "I love the King" T-Shirts on. Having read that the King would be accepting wishes at the Grand Palace at 10h30 - we, along with thousands of locals, lined the roads to catch a glimpse of the Birthday Boy. After waiting for 2 hours we found out, from a very kind young man from Chang Mai, who had been waiting with us, that in fact the drive past would be between 4 and 5 in the afternoon. Well, the people watching was really interesting and gave us a bit more of an insight into the locals. We walked about 20 km today - and whatever area we walked through, we encountered dedications filled with flowers along the side of the roads. We enjoyed another good Pad Thai and Thai Omlette on Rice in a street market opposite the Grand Palace. After a bit of a rest, shower and change of clothing we were off again. This time we were lucky and in time to see the King leaving the Palace with his wife and large entourage. We ( and they) made their way to the main Fairground for the official speeches. Free candles were being handed out - so the field was not only filled to capacity with Hundreds of thousands of people - but also just as many candles. This in addition to all the fairy lights in the trees this was just the biggest birthday light display ever. The Royal Family certainly seems to be reveered and supported in this country. As we were swept along in the currents of yellow t-shirted people, I realised that I had never been in such a large crowd before. I did not feel claustraphobic nor threated at all - the general vibe was one of celebration, festivity and positive energy. No aggression to be seen or felt anywhere in the mix. The evening ended with 2 huge firework displays - spectacular - especially with the golden roofs of the Grand Palace as a backdrop. What a priviledge to have been able to share these days of celebration with the Thai People.

And had our underwater camera not disappeared on Koh Rong Island ...there would be so many photos of the birthday celebrations. Alas ...cannot share them with you.