WATER FESTIVAL

From April 13 to 16, the Water Festival is in a way the Burmese New Year. Great annual event, much awaited by the whole population and especially the youngest. According to the legend, the king of the Nats, Thagyamin, comes down to earth, bringing a pot of water to purify the coming year. Then the water flows in waves. The festival is kicked off by Buddha, and it starts an exuberant water battle all over the country. The roads turn into real swimming pools, young people criss-cross the cities in flash-coloured pick-ups, music at the top of their lungs. Don't try to travel because the country is paralysed for 4 days, instead party with the Burmese!