Siem Reap - Cambodia

NOTE: Mine & Other peoples hints & suggestions (mainly from LP Thorn tree) that I have collated can be found either HERE (PDF from 2002) or HERE (PDF's from 2003) Many kind thanks to those that answered mine or others queries . There is all sorts of possibly USEFUL info there that will be repetitive if I keep putting it in each page.

Cambodia can be EXPENSIVE !!!!! Most things are a minimum 1$US and generally most food, drink & accommodation costs considerably more than say, Thailand or Vietnam. The ‘In’ visa is $20US, Angkor pass is $20US for 1 day or $40US for three days; similar hotels are nearly double the Vietnamese equivalent. That said, they need the money. Cambodia is more obviously poverty stricken than it’s neighbours.

Be prepared for the beggars, the mine casualties with missing limbs, the obvious & open corruption & especially be ready for some of the most resilient, cheerful and uplifting people you will meet.

So why Cambodia ? Like most of us, we wanted to see Angkor before it became inundated with tourists and big hotels. That’s why we went straight to Siem Reap. I know a bit about the history of Cambodia, but time was limited and it was a case of Angkor or Laos. Having been to Siem Reap we have fallen for Cambodia, it’s people and it’s beauty and wish to return to other parts. However, we better go soon --- the number of hotels being built in and around Siem Reap means it is only a matter of time before the temples are roped off and the tourist numbers will detract from the tranquillity required to contemplate the vastness of this ancient achievement by the Khymer people.

A guide to the temples cost us $25US per day and as there were 2 of us, another motodup driver was another $8. Add $40 each for a 3 day pass and the money adds up. Is a guide worth it ? We think YES …. Especially if you haven’t had time to read the meanings of the temples and the inscriptions and carvings. Definitely worth it for the first day & considering you start at 5am, with a 2hr lunch break and return at almost 7pm you do get a lot of guide for the day. We kept our guide & driver for 3 days in the end ---- why ? ---- cos they were great and took us to a brilliant country road that was almost the highlight of Cambodia.

Where is it you ask? We aren’t telling but if you use this guide and driver you will see it, and if you do then keep it quiet

It is true that if you buy the Temple pass after 4pm you can use it for that evening as well. DO NOT LOSE YOUR PASS.

This is a shameless plug for the guide and driver. He was recommended by Andy Brouwers website (see Favorite Links page) who runs a great forum for Cambodia info. The guides name is Kim Rieng and heres a pic of him:

His contact details are as follows:

Email: Kimrieng@yahoo.com

Tel: (855) 12 920 554

Awesome guide and knows all sorts of interesting places when you have “templed out”

Our Motodup Driver details:

Mr Ly

AKA Chour Ly

Tel: (855) 12 852 306

These guys worked well together & were most accommodating. Please don’t bargain the price – it is worth every dollar and their wages are low.

The temples are probably why you will go to Cambodia and we can safely say that you will be astounded by the sheer size and numbers of them; the antiquity, the workmanship, the tales displayed --- the enormity of logistics that must have been applied to create these awesome monuments. Truly a wonder of the world.

For us the food in Cambodia was a disappointment overall. If you want real Cambodian food eat at the street stalls with the locals. Most of the places we ate were “dumbed down tourist” dishes but try around ---- you may be lucky. Fish is the staple delicacy and tasted OK. You may not want to eat the following “local delights”

You will see plenty of references on websites advising getting hold of the local Riel currency. Do so …. And use this to give to beggars. If you order too much food get it bagged up for a landmine sufferer – don’t let it go to waste. We also took things like pens and stamp marker pens to give to children. That way you know it will be used for their school. Never say “maybe later” to the postcard/ souvenir sellers – they are brilliant at remembering you and get you on the way out. Be firm but polite & it is worth having a conversation as they are extremely smart kids.

Do you like coffee ? Then you are in for a treat. Cambodian and Vietnamese coffee is delicious especially if you like it black. White coffee is with condensed milk, a sweet substance that becomes an acquired taste.

The fishing village tour is a worthy excursion but different to expectations. We thought it was up the lake somewhere but it was on the river to the lake. There is an ecology centre near the boat hiring – please visit and leave a donation.

Got a digital camera ? Filled up the flash cards with stunning photos ? Buy a USB SmartCard reader before you leave then visit these guys in Siem Reap to get your images burned to CD. Make sure you burn 2 CD’s of the images and pack them in different bags. It cost us about $6US for 2 cards totalling 160meg to be burned. Details are:

Pacific Systems #157 phu.muc.beth    (hehe … sounds like “phew MacBeth --- did you fart”   )

Siem Reap, Tel: (855) 963 622 Email: Paccom_si@everyday.com.kh

They have a branch in Phnom Penh as well.

NOTE: There are good alternatives to extra camera memory cards .... see info HERE

The Butterfly Garden is really nice and the owner seems well intentioned in that he buys the butterflies from kids who catch them in the forest for him. Our only concern is whether these are rare and localised butterflies being removed from delicate ecosystems. The children catching them sure don’t know so we hope the owner is getting up to speed on the species he has displayed. The “Butterfly” cocktail is well worth a sample.

Siem Reap Foto Pages

 

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