2camels festivals

Monte Carlo Rally - Monte Carlo, Monaco | photo gallery

Monte Carlo Rally - Monte Carlo, Monaco

National Cherry Festival - Traverse City, MI, USA | photo gallery

National Cherry Festival - Traverse City, MI, USA

Gilroy Garlic Festival - Gilroy, CA, USA | photo gallery

Gilroy Garlic Festival - Gilroy, CA, USA

Samosir Island Summer Festival - Samosir Island, Sumatra, Indonesia | article

Samosir Island Summer Festival - Samosir Island, Sumatra, Indonesia

by: Sarah Warwick

Lake Toba was a weird place to begin with. A tourist haven with few tourists: guesthouses and restaurants empty for miles around, a veritable ghost town. It's beautiful, no doubt, but quiet enough to be eerie. You can even hear the breeze as it blows dried leaves through courtyards. The chirrup of every bird.

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Every pleasure a backpacker could wish for is here - from badminton courts, to motorbike hire shops, to cafes with alpine views - but all sit empty. A toxic combination of natural disasters and the threat of Islamic fundamentalism has decimated Sumatra's tourist industry over the last ten years. There were no more than 40 European tourists on Samosir (the Singapore-sized island in the middle of Lake Toba ) during the time we were there, even though it was tourist season and the weather was perfect.

But then, at the start of the summer festival (13th-20th June), came what seemed to be a thousand Sumatran school children, teenagers with jazzy t-shirts and headscarves. We assumed they were here, like us, to watch the watersports, fun running, cycling and boxing competitions that make up the annual festival, but it transpired that they travelled from Indonesian schools far and wide to practise their English on the smattering of tourists.

Hunting in packs, clutching their autograph books or scraps of paper, and preying on lone walkers or couples, they came after us. Running when they caught a glimpse of a white face, their quarry; cornering us at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The braver girls demanded signatures, answers to their wall of questions, while shyer ones (and the boys) giggled and simpered. They all thrust cameras in our faces, clutching at our arms and hands as they struggled to all get a snap with a white person. It was decidedly odd.

Our decision to flee came quickly and my companions and I clambered into the hills in search of a festival event in which we were not the subject. Just outside a local village, in what is usually a car park, we found that the boxing ring for the amateur boxing festival had been set up. As we approached we could hear the announcer's voice and the yells of the crowds.

We entered the arena and picked a seat on the rough-hewn steps on the soil. The more important people, including a large police presence, had plastic chairs, but the westerners (a mere six of us) were barely given a second glance here; every eye was on the fight.

The boxing competition is the highlight of the festival and runs every day for a week. The competitors (mostly boys in their teens) come from as far afield as the Indonesian islands of Papua and Kalimentan and the whole event is taken very seriously by those involved.

A bout was just starting as we arrived. The boys (one in red and one in blue in each bout) squared up and touched gloves. Although tiny by European standards, they are clearly super fit and have all the kit - their shiny gloves and boots look cleaner and newer than perhaps anything else I saw in three weeks in Sumatra.

They proceeded to knock seven bells out of each other, with volleys of jabs and punches. During the breaks between rounds or 'Ronds' as it is pronounced here, teenage girls totter round the ring with placards announcing the round number while the tannoy plays blasts of the hardcore techno music that plays everywhere in Sumatra, especially on public transport.

Boxing crowds aren't known for being quiet spectators and the Sumatrans are no exception. Amid a great cloud of garam (clove-treated) cigarette smoke, they howl and hoot and jeer. There's considerable passion in their support - one man jumps out of his seat with every knock to his man. Eventually he stays on his feet shouting almost constantly. During the interval bops to the techno like a dad drunk at a disco.

As the afternoon goes on the quality of the boxing improves and it becomes more and more exciting. One of the champions clearly has seen all the Hollywood boxing flicks. He spends ten minutes before his bout in ostentatious warm-ups beside the ring. After tucking his fashionable haircut into his padded helmet he bows to the crowd and then bends to kiss the canvas. Either his warm-up or his ego pays off - and by the end of the first round the show-off had won and his opponent staggered off through the ropes, dazed and confused.

Soon after this we staggered off as well, to find food and more comfortable seating. At the bottom of the hill our pursuers were waiting and were delighted to see us again. I ask to take a look at one of the pieces of paper that are thrust at us for autograph. It turns out to be an itinerary for a school trip and this autograph hunting is the proscribed activity for two days (their other fun consists of a singsong and spelling bee in the evening).

I can't imagine this situation happening in England, although it does remind me of the Japanese horror film Battle Royale, where schoolchildren are set loose on an island and have to hunt and kill one another, or Lord of the Flies, come to that.

But in a place like Sumatra, which is so undeveloped for tourism, it's clear we are a scarce and respected resource for students who want to learn English. So as the sun goes down over Lake Toba we sit with them and answer some questions about where we come from and where we've been, sharing some of our culture as we have been able to enjoy sharing some of theirs.

International Dragon Boat Racing - Penang, Malaysia | article

International Dragon Boat Racing - Penang, Malaysia

by: Sarah Warwick

You can hear it far before you see it. The Malaysian hip hop, that accompanies this festival, is not usually a sound you want to walk towards but in this case it makes the whole valley resound with anticipation.

You shlep it up the hill toward the reservoir. School girls, straight off the local bus, are climbing too, singing along with the tune and denying the implied piety of their headscarves by leering and whistling at the local rowing heroes. These boys in their late teens, just starting to muscle out their rowing vests, race up the hill on bikes, casually arriving to take their part in the regatta.

The setting is glorious for this, the 30th annual International Dragon Boat Racing Tournament , in Penang, Malaysia. Surrounded on three sides by bluey-green jungle covered mountains - the fourth side a breathtaking view down to the local resort - the reservoir is as still as anyone could hope for for a rowing competition.

Spectators take their marks in the shade beneath canopies dotted up the banks, while competitors keep their cool before races in a tent complex in the car park. There's a huge stage set up for prize giving, the podium waiting for the lucky team who can row to win in this heat.

The weather is insanely hot, about 45 in the shade. This may ruin the mood (and preclude the audience) of a traditional European regatta, but who cares? The ice cream is one ringgit (20 pence) and the excitement is building towards one of the many races.

This particular one pits local yacht club teens against young German and Singaporean adults. It's 20 rowers plus a cox to a boat, each decorated (as the name would suggest) with the head of a dragon. The boats are under starters orders, bellowed though a PA and they pull their damnedest just to get to the start, half a kilometre away from shore.

Lining up by the starting pier I imagine that they, in thick life jackets and helmets, must be slowly melting with the heat into the dragon headed boat. Even in nothing but a sarong and flip flops I feel hot enough to faint as I stand, breath held with the rest of the crowd, and wait for the start.

And they're off. The crowd mutter amongst themselves and bet on the outcome, many have come to support their own team, others - like me - bet on those we like the look of. My money's on a South African team who get off to a good start, paddles moving manically so the boat looks more like a frantically drowning caterpillar than anything as graceful as a dragon. My boyfriend goes for the Germans but is soon sulking as my lead lengthens.

It's gripping stuff and the crowd yell they're support but all too soon suddenly the top three are in the last couple of metres and pulling for all they're worth. The conclusion is forgone though and the Saffas take gold, closely followed by the Germans.

The winners are announced and the two top go through to the finals, to happen later that day. We, beaten down by the heat, back into town. But not before buying one of those excellent ice creams.

Burning the Clocks - Brighton, England | article

Burning the Clocks - Brighton, England

by: Sarah Warwick

About a mile down the promenade from Brighton Pier, people congregate and gaze out over the silent beach towards the calm silhouette of a wicker king. They throng in the gathering darkness of the year's longest night, kids and adults jostling and stretching to get the best view. Except for their shuffling and whispering all you can here is the wind, and the slow ominous tattoo of the single drum.

The scene is set for Burning the Clocks , a festival of light and drama put on by Brighton City Council on 21st December each year, which mimics the solstice festivals of pre-Christian worship. Lanterns are carried up the promenade from Brighton out to this lonely spot on the beach and burnt, alongside the giant effigy of a king on his throne.

Despite the fact that the festival isn't a true remnant from the pagan heart of England, it certainly captivates Brighton's residents who visit in droves. A safe distance away from the lonely-looking shoreline king, they swarm the terraced cliff nudging and bustling and saying hello to friends. It seems the whole town has turned out.

The ceremony begins with the approach of yet-more people, carrying home-made lanterns, a motley procession of white shapes bright against the dark sky. Children have clubbed together to make basic circles and square, which they carry with care. Adults share the weight of bigger creations: a lion and a unicorn, dragons, griffins, a phoenix.

Drums mark the approach of the procession down the promenade, as it gradually arrives at the pyre. One by one the people lay their paper gifts at the king's feet. A small girl in a red anorak jumps from foot to foot as she waits. The drums beat on, the sea blows its relentless breeze, freezing noses, fingers, toes. Then, at last, as the four biggest lanterns - dragon, phoenix, lion, unicorn - are moved to flank the king, the crowd turn as one with a shuffle and a sigh, to gaze upon the scene set for destruction.

Fireworks explode red and green fountains behind the creatures, illuminating them against the black sea, just for a second. Then suddenly the paper is burning. We see the sinister outline of the dragon, consumed by fiery breath. The phoenix falls into ashes.

With the hot glare, the crowd is illuminated in its lust for fire. The king catches quickly; and sparks screech out of him as he melts. Flames rise into the sky and everyone cheers the triumph of fire. It's a brutal death for the paper king and soon all that is left is the pyre and the fiery disk that was his halo, burning yellow amid the red flames.

Glastonbury Festival - Glastonbury, England | video

Glastonbury Festival - Glastonbury, England

Glastonbury , the quintessential Brit-Fest, does it get any bigger?

Pack your wellies, pitch your tent then pilfer a peek of this trailer of Glastonbury the movie. Enjoy!

Japanese Tub Race - Ito City, Japan | video

Japanese Tub Race - Ito City, Japan

In the true "we'll do anything, anytime, anywhere, wearing anything" spirit of the Japanese, tub racing takes to the Matsukawa River in Ito City each and every July.

With tub racing you get pretty much what it says on the tin, so I won't paint to detailed a picture. Men, women and children take to tubs (wooden jobs of the clothes washing variety) and attempt to be the first to cross the finishing line 400 metres downstream. Enjoy!

International Poncho Day - Nobsa, Colombia | video

International Poncho Day - Nobsa, Colombia

The place, the intriguingly named town of Nobsa in Columbia, the event, why it's International Poncho Day of course.

Nobsa displays its penchant for the Poncho for a day each May, in an event designed to promote the local artisan's handicraft.

International Poncho Day sees all and sundry in Nobsa decked out in the kitschy over-cloth - hell, even parrots, dogs and the local church get to poncho up for the day.

Spring Carnival - Melbourne, VIC, Australia | snippet

Spring Carnival - Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Spring in Victoria is a wonderful time. The old Kingswood usually starts first kick and your typical sports-mad Vic gets to feast on two of their favourite courses � the AFL footy finals and Victoria's Spring Racing Carnival .

You don�t have to be an equine aficionado to appreciate the Spring Carnival . Whilst horse racing is big business year-round in Australia, it�s during Spring Carnival that the whole nation tends to have a flutter. But the Spring Carnival is as much about what happens off the track as on it.

Oaks Day is women�s day where the gee-gees almost take a back seat to fashion. Hats and dresses and indeed those wearing them come in all shapes, sizes and descriptions ranging from the demure to the outlandish.

Some of the bigger races on the Calendar include the Caulfield Cup , the Cox Plate and the biggie, the Melbourne Cup � the race that stops a nation.

If you get the chance head down under come October, dress is optional black tie, but fun for all is mandatory.

Spring Racing Carnival - When, Where and More Info Please

When: October/November each year

Where: Different racecourses across Victoria

More Info Please: For more info and up-to-the-minute dates and details, check out the Racing Victoria website .

XPoNential Music Festival - Philadelphia, PA, USA | snippet

XPoNential Music Festival - Philadelphia, PA, USA

Overlooking Philadelphia from the banks of the Delaware River is WXPN's annual XPoNential Music Festival . Each year a colorful lineup of local, national and international musicians take to the two stages at Wiggins Park on the Camden Waterfront. A tremendous crowd of music fans fill the park's fields for three days every summer to take in the diverse mix of talent set against a scenic cityscape. For the younger ones in the crowd there is the Kids Corner Garden as well as nearby amusements.

Past performers include Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, They Might Be Giants, Bob Mould, Dr. Dog, Michael Franti and Spearhead and many more. All the past festival lineups are available to view at the XPoNential Music Festival website .

XPoNential Music Festival - When, Where and More Info Please

When: July each year

Where: Wiggins Park, Philadelphia, PA, USA

More Info Please: For more info and up-to-the-minute dates and details, check out the XPoNential Music Festival website .

Brussels Jazz Marathon - Brussels, Belgium | snippet

Brussels Jazz Marathon - Brussels, Belgium

The Brussels Jazz Marathon takes place in every corner of the beguiling Belgian capital over three days in May. It's the perfect opportunity for the thousands of tourists to indulge in some of the sweetest tunes around in one of Europe's most exciting city centres.

Stages at the Grand Place (Grote Markt), the Sablon Square (Sablon, Zavel), the St-Katelijne Square and the F. Cocq Square takes jazz to the streets whilst a number of Brussels clubs and bars will offer a feast of jazz, latino, funk, rock and blues well into the night.

Brussels Jazz Marathon - When, Where and More Info Please

When: May each year - check the Brussels Jazz Marathon website for exact dates.

Where: Brussels, Belgium

More Info Please: For more info and exact dates and deets check out the Brussels Jazz Marathon website .