The water festival traditionally takes place at full moon at the end of the rainy season end of November. In addition, the reversal of the river Tonle Sap River is celebrated. The Tonle Sap River is the only river worldwide which changes its flowing direction once a year. This happens if the high water from the mouth of the Mekong pushes forth into the river. The Mekong has its highest the water-level in the rainy season and the full moon supports this process.
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More InformationThe highlights of the water festival are the dragon boat race and the parade of the flame ships. Usually, up to 4 millions people assemble at the Sisowath Quay, the riverside walk in Phnom Penh.
However, everything is different this year. The dragon boat racing and the parade of illuminated boats was canceled. The version for the tourists is, that the water-level of the Tonle Sap River is too low. Unofficially there was a warning of an attack. However, the fear of a crowd panic is also possible, as it already occurred in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Each of them ended fatally. In 2010, 347 people died, 755 were injured, some of them seriously. On the other hand it is fact that the festival with boat racings and boat parade took place in 2014. Strange is that 2015 the king stays in France, just during the week of the festival.
It’s our first night in Phnom Penh and we want to go to the city center. Our destination is the large square between the Independence Monument and the Monument of Samdech Sang Chuon Nath, the last Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia. The square is located between the Preah Sihanouk and the Preah Suramarit Boulevard.
Independence monument
The independence monument in the style of ancient Khmer architecture was built in 1958 by the Frenchman, on the occasion of the independence of Cambodia.
Samdech Sang Chuon Nath
The merits of Samdech Sang Chuon Nath lie in the preservation of the Khmer language and the Cambodian identity. He created an own Khmer dictionary.
Bon Om Tuk 2015
Even before the Independence Monument, there is hardly any getting through. Thousands scooters and occasionally some cars throng in the direction Sisowath Quay. Some people buy something to eat at the numerous food stalls and sit together on the grass. Others look for new acquaintances.
We first take a look at the monument of King Norodom Sihanouk, the father of the incumbent king. Then we go further towards Wat Bottom Park, where a huge stage was set up.
The Cambodian television is making a live broadcast. In the glaring headlights combined with a laser show, different talents show their performance. As there are a lot of talks which we do not understand, we soon make our way to the hotel.
Next >>> Royal Palace and Wat Preah Keo
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