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A yearly event, Phnom Penh's water festival featured 400 boats from all over the kingdom racing for small prizes and the glory
of being a winner. This three day frenzy makes the Oxford and Cambridge boat race look like childsplay (and the irrelevant
event that it is) as almost a million people make it to the capital to watch, take part and get caught up in the madness of
it all.
Attended by the king and seemingly endless lines of dignitaries the festival is part regatta, part thanksgiving and party
- the streets were packed with excited and eventually exhausted families, street vendors selling anything from chickens to
cooked spiders and sunhats. at times its hard to walk anywhere in the city - miles of roads choked by happy pedestrians enjoying
the spectacle. Three days of races, each topped by dramatic firework displays that leave you exhausted but thrilled to the
bones.
The river where the races take part, the Tonle Sap, actually reverses its flow at this time of year in an unusual spectacle
and fills up the lake of the same name with fresh water. And the guest of honour is always the moon - full and bright - bringing
a special sense and feel to the proceedings. All in all a great time had by all - but next year - I think i'll disappear to
the countryside for some peace and quiet. There are selected photographs below from the event.
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| Boat crews take a break after racing under the shade of a riverside tree |
The boats, which are quite narrow, shallow and therefore likely to capsize on rough water, are crewed by anything from 20
- 60 rowers, depending on their competition class. each boat has a 'captain', who encourages his or her charges by waving
cermonial sticks or often by waving their arms in choreographed and graceful dances. A truly incredible sight. This year,
out of 20,000 competitors - 633 were women.
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| The waterboys take a break from racing. |
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| Phnom Penh is packed with families come the Festival |
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| For these rubbish collectors - the festival is a busy time |
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| Vendors can make money too at the festival - are they selling water boards? |
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| A rare site in Phnom Penh - a policeman actually smiling! |
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