I personally don’t think I know anyone who doesn’t like travelling. Chasing the unknown, wandering around different corners to experience tantalizing tales that exhilarate your soul. Mix that up with visiting some of the most outrageously crazy festivals around the world and you’ve cooked yourself up an adventure you will never be able to forget.
It is time to freshen that bucket list and make memories with 6 of the most colourful, adventurous festivals the world has to offer! Now who doesn’t love a little fun, a little colour AND a little sassiness? Visit any of these events and you’re sure to have the time of your life.
1. Holi
Holi, the Indian festival of colours comes every spring and is high up in my list of festivals that everyone MUST witness at least once in their lifetime. The most boisterous of Hindu festivals, Holi symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Come March, the streets of India will reverberate with people, dancing, making merry and throwing colours at each other in every hue you could possibly imagine. Dyed water is shot from syringes, thrown from buckets and poured into balloons, and tossed at people. This festival will show you the water fights that will blow your mind away! Add to it the delicious food and “bhaag” (an ancient native Indian drink) and I assure you, you’ll have a good night’s sleep after all the fun!
2. Batalla del Vino
Now who wouldn’t love to be drenched in wine?! Are you a wine lover and want to participate in wine drinking contests?! Then head over to Spain this summer for what’s called the “La Batalla del Vino” (The Wine Fight). Splash and be splashed by lots of wonderful wine produced in the region and I can promise you there’ll be more wine than WHINE this time around!
3. Boryeong Mud Festival
This one is probably one of the most crazy festivals anyone has ever heard of. Haven’t we all been through that childish phase where all we wanted to do was jump around in any muddle and play in the dirt? Hell, if you ask me, I’d love to do it even now! If you’re anything like me, channel your inner child at the Boryeong festival in South Africa. Celeberated for over two weeks, this festival is most famous for its final weekend featuring mud fights, mud slides, mud baths, mud fountains, mud wrestling and even a mud marathon. Talk about letting out your inner daredevil!
4. Songkran
Songkran is one of the most striking festivals of Thailand with people splashing water on each other having the time of their lives. Celebrated between 13-15th of April, it marks the beginning of the New Year. The Thais don’t just throw water on each other for fun but believe that in doing so, they are washing away the misfortunes of the past year thereby bringing in the new year!
5. Tomatina
La Tomatina is a festival that is held in the Valecian town of Bunol, Spain. Held on the last Wednesday of August, they get involved in crazy tomato fights just for fun! Get out and get lost in this beautiful town while its painted red and you will definitely fall in love!
So what are you waiting for? Get onto the Internet, book your summer holiday tickets and getadventerous!! As an exchange student, I urge you to travel, follow your heart, take time to see the world and taste the fullness of life! Exploring new cultures, meeting new people, checking out new avenues in life – its all part of the process!
These festivals will give you memories and experiences that stick with you forever and they will give you moments that will define the rest of your life. Travel and get lost in the insanity the world has to offer. After all, not all those who wander are lost!