n central Laos dozens of loud explosions pockmark the sky as men dressed in female clothing wielding large wooden phalluses dance, while others lubricated by the local rice whiskey simply roll in the mud Welcome to Laos' famous rocket festival, raucous celebration and merit-making ceremony in which huge homemade rockets are launched into the sky in bid to encourage the gods to send much- needed rain"My rocket went very high," said elated San Pommati, a 42-year-old farmer, after his projectile arced across the sky leaving a fluffy smoke trail above the village of Houa Xeing, some 30km north of Laos' capital Vientiane. "It was beautiful. I am happy," he said on Sunday. Throughout the day dozens of home made rockets, many decked out in flowers were strapped to a large wooden launch pad and sent towards the heavens, accompa nied by cheers, dancing and much drinking Practised across much of Laos and northeast Thailand, the Bun Bang Fai fes tival is an annual rite that celebrates the