I don't normally write during the week due to time restrictions etc. but seeing as it's water festival time and I'm not working,I thought I'd take the plunge(water metaphors are all the rage around here at the moment). What to say about my first experience of the above mentioned festival?Well,it's hectic to say the least.From early in the morning to late at night-by Khmer standards-your senses are overwhelmed with noise,colour,smells and dozens of photo opportunities.The main focus is the Tonle Sap river,which is joined by the Mekong further up the water way.Long boats or dragon boats painted in traditional designs congregate at the starting point,near the main bridge in Phnom Penh which ex pats call the Japanese Bridge...it was built with Japanese money....,and race frenetically towards the finishing line that is marked with two boats.The teams are made up of government ministries,villages from various provinces and companies.Both boats and competitors are festooned in colours aplenty and each boat contains up to fifty rowers.I must say that it's quite a sight as they bomb down the river,rowing faster than one hundred Steve Redgraves put together. Being six foot two I have a distinct advantage over the average Khmer and was able to get good views.I spent the day walking....boy did I walk....and found some great nooks and crannies to take photos and observe the activities.Also,as if pre-ordained,the wind really got up yesterday and while providing a cooling effect,also assisted the racers and added to the drama. I could really tell that many Khmers were not local and were here to sell,race and have fun as I was stared at a lot and had my arms touched frequently a result of a fascination with fair,hairy European skin!Most Phnom Penh residents are used to this and generally I am left alone but I was also overdosed with smiles,and offers of food,drink and hats which definitely keeps your spirits up especially when your flagging later in the day. As the evening descended around six o'clock I found a rooftop bar and watched the firework display.Now,although I'll admit that fireworks can be spectacular,I am baffled by the clamour to take photos.After all a shot of a firework display in the night sky is all well and good,but you could be anywhere in the world.I prefer the type of picture that signifys where you were and what you were doing.Of far more interest were the barges that lit up in an array of colours and bright lights and paraded around the river.They all represented various institutions,for example the Ministry of Justice had a huge pair of scales. So,day one has passed and the streets are recovering.However,the whole thing will be repeated today and tomorrow.Walking down this morning I couldn't believe the amount of people who had taken up residence in any available place as most of the poor provincial Khmers just fling a mat on the ground and sleep under the stars. Anyway I need to go and apply some sun cream so there will be more descriptive analysis in the coming days!!