Cambodian Water Festival 2008

Cambodian Water Festival

11-13 November 2008

Preparing the Water Festival

Walking a boat to the riverfront About 400 boats are entered in the annual boat races, and they represent almost every province and area of Cambodia. Because of their extreme length and shape, some of the boats are walked to Phnom Penh along the highways on removable trucks made with bicycle or wagon wheels.

Preparing the palace viewing stand The royal palace faces the Mekong River and a viewing stand for the king and his guests overlooks all the activities.

Vendors stake out a place on the street People start migrating toward Phnom Penh from all over the country several days before the festival actually starts, and the vendors stake out choice places on the streets then, too.

An open-air stage Besides the boat races, there are fireworks, demonstrations of services by NGOs, HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, etc. Here an outdoor stage, with tents as dressing rooms, has been erected by a television station for live performances.

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	About 400 boats are entered in the annual boat races, and they represent almost every province and area of Cambodia. Because of their extreme length and shape, some of the boats are walked to Phnom Penh along the highways on removable trucks made with bicycle or wagon wheels.
	The royal palace faces the Mekong River and a viewing stand for the king and his guests overlooks all the activities.
	People start migrating toward Phnom Penh from all over the country several days before the festival actually starts, and the vendors stake out choice places on the streets then, too.
	Besides the boat races, there are fireworks, demonstrations of services by NGOs, HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, etc. Here an outdoor stage, with tents as dressing rooms, has been erected by a television station for live performances.