Cambodia -- Traveler Advice -- General Information |
[Tue 30 Jan, 04:14] Anyone planning to go to Siem Riep should definitely use our driver, Sokna. He speaks English, can show you all around the area and will meet you at the plane which is very comforting when you see all the armed guards all around (OK I'm a big chicken). ----------------------------------------- [Sun 4 Feb, 01:40] Hey there.....i have a couple questions for anyone who's been to Cambodia. 1) How much time should I alot?......2) How is it for females travelling solo? [Sun 4 Feb, 02:36] I assume if you are going to Cambodia you are going to see Angkor Wat. Well ,getting there and back and seeing the temples will take a week. How much time have you got? I only spent 2 weeks and found that was not enough as I enjoyed Cambodia very much. Phnom Penh is worth a couple of days and Battambang more. I'm thinking 3 weeks min. Never heard of anyone having any problems with solo travelling. You need to be careful though. [Sun 4 Feb, 04:37] Hi, had a brilliant time in Cambodia travellin alone. I did a whistle stop tour - Siem Reap-Angkor Watt - Phnom Phen - Shianoukville in 7 days and it definitely wasn't enough. 2-3 weeks will give you a better experience. As 1 above - though be careful, the people are exceptionally friendly - the land mines are not! [Sun 4 Feb, 11:23] Hi, ----------------------------------------- [Sat 3 Feb, 12:18] What is there to do and see in Siem Reap itself other than the Angkor complexes? I have zero interest in partying [Sat 3 Feb, 12:30] Go to the landmine museum, your driver will know where it is, and be prepared to pay a little for donation...the guy that runs the place is very interesting to talk to...other than that, well you know... [Sat 3 Feb, 13:17] Siem Reap is an interesting place in itself. The people are very friendly , there is tradtional dance and music performances in some of the local restaraunts. Catch an Asian boxing match at the sports field . [Sat 3 Feb, 13:53] Go out to the fishing village and take a boat ride down river to the mouth and and onto Tonle Sap lake, there are numerous boat peole and fsiher-people living on board. [Sat 3 Feb, 14:01] You should take a look at this website about Cambodia: It is widely recognized as having the most thorough and up to date information about this country (written by a long-time resident, and the website is updated every week). It has information about things to do, places to stay, etc. [Sat 3 Feb, 14:53] The landmine museum is interesting if you are into bombs or kitsch museums. There is also a great wat in town with interesting paintings of Siem reap in the 19thC, well preserved scenes of opium smoking, prostitution and colonial french military, sorry I can't rember its name but it is off the lane that Moms Gh is on [Sat 3 Feb, 18:33] Definately get out into the countryside and small villages, if your plans don't already include any cross country travel. It is totally different from the town or the land around the temples. One of my favorite days there was the drive out to a site where the river bottom has been carved, mostly because we got to see the rural side of Cambodian life. Walking around town was great too. People were so friendly and communicative. Our hotel was in town which made this easier. If you want to avoid the herds of visitors at the temples your driver can help you pick times when there are less people. Each temple has recommended times to visit that are based on the light for photography. Just go at a different time. The temples are so amazing you might just find you want to go to sleep at night. [Sat 3 Feb, 22:18] Siem Reap isn't just about glorious ancient temples as some of the above posters have pointed out. There's lots of others attractions and I have to agree that getting out into the countryside and meeting the people is one of my favourites, whether its on dry land or on the Tonle Sap lake. Literally, just outside the town's main drag is a world of discovery just waiting for you. If you want to combine exploring a temple in its natural state and meeting locals, then you can't beat Beng Mealea, while Kbal Spean and Phnom Kulen are very interesting trips but the local population is a bit sparse in those areas. [Sun 4 Feb, 04:53] Partying not really that much of an option! Happy Herb pizza is as about as exciting as it gets! And cut out the "fogey" for 35 yr olds!!!! Making me feel old! SR is great. Even for a non temple basher like me you do just get drawn in. Even got up at dawn...There is lots of countryside to see. Best to hire a moto and driver and go to the things everyone else has mentioned. Its safe and you will see lots. We also hired push bikes and rode to the Roulos group through the villages (NOT highway 6). Completely knackered, but it was great. Also cycled to Tonle Sap lake and mooched around the floating village. (Must point out that I smoke 40 a day, drink 2 bottles of wine and am not fit!) You could also do a two day trip to Battambang if the boat is till working. Just wonderful. Great food, wine. And if you want somewhere really special to stay Borann ($30) is. Lovely rooms, private terraces and swimming pool all khmer crafts style in oasis garden! (Send Benito our love!) ---------------------------------------- [Sat 3 Feb, 12:00] the best/worst restaurants, bars and nightclubs in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap please... [Sat 3 Feb, 21:47] ok...for Phnom Penh FCCC...for happy hour drinks and pricey food and a good river view The motorcycle drivers know at least FCCC, Sharkys and Martinis. For SIem Reap...not much to do.....can try one of the local style discos....u wil be tired from visiting the temples though [Sun 4 Feb, 05:00] SR - La Noria for food. Sligtly more expensive. For cheap Khmer try the fairy light places along the river road. One on the corner particularly good. Lotus is also very good. In fact, very difficult to make a mistake. There are about three bars to go to - Angkor What? (GB) The Ivy (GB) and I think The Red Piano. All very close to each other. Quiet during the week. Actually, fairly quiet at weekends!!! Elephant Bar for happy cocktails in the big posh hotel. Try Happy Herb pizza for a different view of SR that can last for days. Go easy! Local discos - got to be done!! PP - didnt stay long but FCC was amusing and very raj style for a treat (if you are on a tight budget!) ------------------------------------------ [Tue 13 Feb, 02:20] Please share recent information of a car with driver in Angkorwat-Siemreap. [Tue 13 Feb, 03:09] The last 5 trips to Siem Reip I hired a wonderful guide named Mr "C". [Tue 13 Feb, 03:13] Price sounds fair if the guy speaks good English and the car has functioning aircon, but make sure that you agree upfront which temples you'll visit - or you may find they try to negotiate extra (disproportionately extra) during the trip to go to the outlying ones. [Tue 13 Feb, 06:56] Car: $20 minimum in high season. $17 minimum in low season. Mototaxi $5 - $8 per day. See www.canbypublications.com for details. [Tue 13 Feb, 07:27] It will cost more to visit outlying temples of Banteay Sri, Kbal Spien [River of a Thousand Lingas], and Beng Malea, but it's worth the trip. You'd need to have an early morning start and given the long distance [and day for the driver] and pertol prices, the added cost is reasonable. ------------------------------------------ |