We found ourselves a spot on the crowded river bank with our feet almost in the water fervently hoping the crush of people behind us wouldn't knock us in as races got underway and excitement mounted.   In that unlikely event, there were two options for rescue

The speeches went on and on, even those in the stands must have been ready to drown the next one to approach the microphone

Finally they were done and 720 + oars were raised in unison a cry went up and they take off up river en-masse

On 30 + boats rode crews of 22.  Mostly all male some all female and a few mixed.  One on the bow another on the stern and in between twelve seated two abreast and eight standing. This was my favourite crew, all female, I liked their colours and the alternative to baseball caps

The children are lovely and when we met a retired American Dr. who volunteers at a small children’s hospital we learned of their terrible plight.  Most are infected to some extent by TB, a disease unheard of in Cambodia before the Secret War, quickly followed by the Civil War which between them completely destroyed one of the best medical systems in Asia  

The dragon boat races took part over two days.  On the final day we were leaving along with a mass exodus of happy festival goers heading home to their villages. The roads were so clogged we almost didn't make it in time for our concert at Jayavarman VII hospital in Siem Reap