| Many tourists from all over the world visit | | | | people armed with wildly colorful hoses splashing |
| Thailand, especially Khao Sarn Road in Bangkok | | | | tons of water on whoever wants the showers of |
| during April to take part in the water festival | | | | blessings on them. |
| (Songkran) festivities. To those tourists who have | | | | The Yangon ( former capital city of Myanmar) |
| been in action during the friendly yearly water | | | | hotel I stayed in organized a tour of the city on |
| fights, I am sure it was very fun. I thought so | | | | the back of.....yup, you said it......pick up trucks with |
| too until a few years ago, when I visited | | | | refreshment, water guns and large drums of ice |
| Myanmar during dates coinciding with Myanmar's | | | | cold water ammunition. This is certainly much |
| version of Songkran. The Myanmese called the | | | | more fun than the Thai version, especially if you |
| water festival (Thingyan). | | | | bring your whisky along. The roads were flooded |
| In Thailand's version of the Songkran water | | | | and water was flowing like small rivers. |
| festival, people loaded up tanks of ice cold water | | | | So if you ever visit Thailand for its Songkran |
| in pick up trucks going around splashing and | | | | festival, then hop over to Myanmar to open a |
| drenching everyone who is within range all in good | | | | second water war front. A word of warning |
| fun. Some like the picture above load water guns | | | | though, better book your hotel room or |
| and ice cold squirt at you you are expected to | | | | accommodation and air travel tickets early. The |
| retaliate with... what else, cold water of course. | | | | hotel rooms are always booked months in |
| Now this festival although coming from the same | | | | advance by fun loving tourists both in Thailand and |
| custom is celebrated differently in Myanmar. It is | | | | Myanmar. |
| much more wild and spirited. The Myanmese | | | | The festivities will usually last a few days every |
| authorities will build stages after stages called | | | | April. After hard day at play, do remember that |
| "pandles" on sides of main roads. Some of these | | | | Thailand is famous for its ancient Thai massage. |
| stages will have live music bands, dances, gay | | | | Do get a skillful massuer to soothe those aching |
| models and bodybuilders on parade amplified by | | | | muscles after a few days of fun. You can even |
| music blaring loudly from the speakers and PA | | | | order a massage service from the hotels. |
| system, others will be packed chocked full of | | | | |