Truth be told, our main motivation and inspiration to attend the Yeepeng Lanna in Chiang Mai, Thailand was the Disney film Tangled. Despite the setbacks, especially with arranging how we’d get to Chiang Mai, we still were able to go with a great sense of triumph. What used to be a romantic fantasy based on a movie finally came true—and we were glad we went. Read more…
For those who haven’t watched Tangled, the story is based loosely on Rapunzel by the Brothers Grimm. Mother Gothel kidnaps Rapunzel for her hair with rejuvenating powers, and the latter’s parents and their kingdom float sky lanterns on her every birthday, hoping for her return. Arguably the film's most romantic portion is when Rapunzel set off with Flynn Rider onto a cruise as they watched the sky lanterns hover in the air. The song I See the Light plays.
And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything looks different
Now that I see you
On November 8, 2014, we finally saw that Tangled moment in real life. After festivities, religious rituals, and meditation, we lit our paper lanterns and sent them majestically floating in the sky.
Literally thousands of lanterns were airborne at the time, and I was overwhelmed in a good way. I was overjoyed, immersed in a moment so magical and surreal; I’ve never ever seen anything like it. As my friend said, “Nothing can prepare you for that moment.”
It surely is one of those unforgettable parts of my life I’ll forever cherish.
NOTE: Images, songs, and lyrics from Tangled as displayed above are owned by the Walt Disney Company. They were used for a non-commercial purpose in this blog; no copyright infringement is intended.
