Water Festival, A Super Moon, and Our 41st Anniversary

"Bon Om Tuk" or Water Festival in Cambodia marks the reversal of the Tonle Sap River. As rainy season progresses Lake Tonle Sap fills and more than double in size. The Tonle Sap River drains the swollen lake to the Mekong River beginning about November. As the lake dries the river becomes stagnant, then reverses its flow from the Mekong to the lake in about April. In October and November celebrations take place in each province and town, concluding in Phnom Penh. These celebrations include boat races and lighted boats on the river, and of course fireworks.

Water Festival November 13-15. With all the activities and extra people in Phnom Penh the area around the Palace is closed to motor vehicles and the festival has begun. This afternoon we walked with the Leavitts and Thurstons down to the waterfront to watch some of the boat races. It was much like walking through the state fair with the main attraction being the riverfront for the races. There were hundreds of vendors among the thousands of people gathered in the area.

Along with Water Festival, November 14, 2016 happens to be the closest and brightest supermoon in 68 years. The moon was amazingly bright and big in the sky tonight.

And for us the 14th is our 41st anniversary. We have had such an amazing life together. The two of us sharing this adventure as missionaries in Cambodia has been one of the highlights of our life. We look forward to many more adventures. 41 years is a good beginning.