From November 11-13th was the Water Festival here in Phnom Penh. They predicted over 4 million people in town for the event and all crammed into the riverfront area. I was a bit wary of the whole thing but I ended up having a great time- some of the best days I’ve had in Phnom Penh since I arrived almost one year ago. I’ve got some photos of the boat races, fireworks, and the evening parade of boats after the jump!
Above: The massive crowd along the river for the Water Festival in Phnom Penh
During the day there were boat races
And at night was a brilliant boat parade featuring boats from the different ministries all covered with lights and playing music.
Above: The boat for the Royal Family
Above: A boat for the Parliment
Above: The boat for the Police
This boat is for the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports
Above: I’m not sure which ministry this boat in the foreground is for- perhaps the Ministry of Environment?
This is for the Ministry of Industry
Above: Ministry of Land Management and Urban Planning
Ministry of Economy
Above: The boat for the Army/National Defense
Above: Apsara Authority Boat
Above: Ministry of Public Works and Transportation
Above: I think this is another Parliment boat?
Above: Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications
Above: National Bank Boat (a little blurry)
Above: Ministry of Tourism
Above: The boat for the city of Phnom Penh (featuring the Royal Palace)
Above: Ministry of Justice
Above: Ministry of Agriculture, Forest, and Fisheries.
Below: I have no idea what this is supposed to be- the Ministry of the Flying Spaghetti Monster?
Above: Ministry of Commerce
Above: A float for the Government
In addition to the boat parade there were also fantastic fireworks
Above: The moon and fireworks over the boat parade in Phnom Penh.
The Water Festival was a great way to kick off my last few weeks in Phnom Penh. If only I could have a boat parade and fireworks outside my window every night!
Last but not least these are some photos of a mural in the Royal Palace about the Water Festival.
BarCamp Phnom Penh
Alison in Cambodia 
Wow great photos Alison!!! You had a brilliant spot!
I love those lit up boats. That must have been so fun to watch from the balcony! And of course, I enjoyed the ample use of the naga motif 🙂
Great photos, Alison! And you were right about those two: បរិស្ថាន = environment and រដ្ឋសភា = parliament
I could almost imagine sitting on your balcony watching the boats float by, sipping a lime soda. Except that it’s 35 degrees here.
The mural in the Royal Palace are so beautiful, specially last one that shows women in the boat races.
I’ve been involved in my “50,000 word novel-in-a-month” project — took a few minutes “off” (OK, I’m procrastinating) and found THESE!! Absolutely beyond imagining, Alison – thanks for these! I trust you have these in prints, or on your computer – also, I’d like to visit someplace that has a Flying Sphagetti Monster illuminated raft. You know, just ’cause. {grin}