Cambodia thread 3

[bagaholic_chewy]

^ sa hotel lang namin, me tour desk sila.

[krnmprl]

Just got back from temple hopping in Angkor 

On the internet when you research it seems to touristy. Well, every tourist destination is actually touristy when you think about it. It's really up to you to make it a unique and rich experience.

We just read about each temple from guidebooks. This itinerary is spot on:

http://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/ShowTopic-g297390-i9163-k5957423-Trip_Report_LONG_Tips_and_Angkor_3_day_Itinerary-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html

In terms of best temples, tips and tricks.

We just biked 2 out of our 3 days, went around the temples in true Indiana Jones fashion (maps, raincoats in case it rains, water, guidebooks). We used mountain bikes from Angkor Cycling. That's the highlight of our trip, mountain biking in the thick of the jungle.

And then 3rd day we used a tuktuk to go to these out of the way temples: Bantay Srei (go in the early morning, after the sunrise at Angkor W A T the whole place is pink in the 6am sunlight, very pretty) and Beng Melea, which is too far, but literally took our breath away.

Pasalubong: Artisans d'angkor downtown or at the airport, and we bought kampot pepper from lucky supermarket where it's cheap.

Angkor W A T is beautiful if only everyone and his uncle is not at that temple. I prefer Preah Khan and Bantay Kdei and Beng Melea and Bantay Srei (early morning). Those temples are quiet and you can just sit and think and feel nostalgic about the artists that built and carved those temples. And that's really the whole point. I hated Ta Prohm. TOO TOURISTY. everyone taking pictures of the trees spurting from the temples.

[sublime1]

Hi here in Cambodia now. Came from ho Chi Minh City. :-) we took the Mekong express bus and almost 13 hours bus ride from HCM. It was ok. We expected the worst but overall ok naman ang bus ride, may mga daan lang na hindi pa talaga maayos.

We hired a car (c/o Mr. Lam) for the tour of the temples for four person. 1st day (USD45)- we went to Bantay Srei, Pre Rup, Ta Prohm and Bayon Temples.

[sublime1]

Di ko lang alam if its because its Lean season, but we never really experienced na super daming tao sa temples. We were never bothered by the other tourists, and we never really felt their presence when we're touring the temples. Even sa Ta Prohm, yes may mga ibang tourists, but not to the point na hundreds talaga. Mr. Lam planned our itinerary kasi, and I guess its effective, kasi nga hindi namin masyado nafeel na super daming tao sa temples. :-)

[gulaysk]

We crossed to Cambodia from Saigon and took the Giant Ibis to Phnom Penh. Bus was in good condition but the AC wasn't cold enough at times. We only stayed overnight at PP and just managed to squeeze in going to S21, Royal Palace and to the Russian Market.

In Russian Market, be on the lookout for Mr. Bounnareth's iced coffee. It's touted to be "the best iced coffee in Phnom Penh." Very accommodating sila sa stall, and the coffee costs only a dollar. Kaya lang we came from Saigon, at mas masarap pa rin sa amin ang Vietnamese iced coffee dahil sa tapang at sipa niya. Walking around Russian Market, there are also lots of overruns. We were pressed for time so we didn't get to shop. Sayang.

We took the Giant Ibis again the next day to go to Siem Reap. We left PP at 1230pm and got to SR around 7pm. In SR, we stayed at Areca Angkor Boutique Villa. It's fairly new and quite far from Pub Street. Should've taken my sister's advise to book in Bayon Boutique. Malapit lang daw kasi yun sa Pub Street. Usually kasi after one whole day of touring the temples, halos wala ng lakas para umalis sa hotel para magdinner pa sa malayo. Areca was okay, but breakfast was really horrible. Halos hindi edible para sa akin. Malinis naman ang room and the staff were attentive and always ready to help. May pool din which was a nice respite from the heat.

For the 2 days that we went around the temples, we opted to book a tour with a licensed tour guide. Medyo pricey pero super sulit naman para sa amin kasi we never felt "templed out" because we weren't just merely going inside the temples and taking pictures, the context and history were also thoroughly explained to us. We originally booked a tour with Phay Sophy but he wasn't available on our dates so he referred us to his partner, Mr. Ros Savoun. He's good! He's also an English teacher so he has good command ng language and madaling intindihin. Relatively cheaper ang package nila compared to others na napagtanungan ko at included na sa package ang car (van in our case kahit na 2 lang kami), cold water and the rate of the tour guide. One thing also with tour guides, they know how to avoid the crowd para mas masarili ninyo ang pagtotour ng temples.

For the 2 days, we only got to visit the following: Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, Thommanon, Chay Say Tevoda, Angkor [textspeak!], Prasat Kravan, Ta Prohm, Ta Keo, Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre. Favorite ko ang Banteay Srei (pinkish stones, "jewel of the Khmer art" with very intricate carvings) at Banteay Samre.

Sunset at Phnom Bakheng was beautiful but it can get pretty crowded. If you want to witness the sunset from there, they only allow 300 guests up the temple so get there early if you can.

[realshaddy]

Just got back from Cambodia

Stayed at Ta Som Guest House, super ok ako dito. I can say na walking distance lang sya from Pub Street. Pero $1 lang naman ang tuktuk ride if ayaw nyo maglakad ng medyo malayo. Tahimik dun sa lugar. And super accomodating sila at polite sila lahat especially yung may ari si Mr. Meng. Sya ang sumundo samin from the bus terminal at sya din mismo ang naghatid sa amin sa airport using his own personal car for free. Wala ako masabi sa service nila talaga. Sobrang ok and homey yung place. I can only say good things sa kanila. Sana yung ibang mag book sa kanila can only say the same.

As for the tour naman, we got the service of Kim Rieng, ok din to. $55 for 4 pax gamit ang Van (Benz) whole day na. I can say na super sulit at ok si Kim Rieng. Eto email address nya in case gusto nyo kimrieng9@gmail.com

These are just my personal opinion based on my experience ha. What is ok for me may not be ok for you 😊

[IronLady]

mga sis na nagstay sa bou savvy.. paano kayo nagbook? im planning to book sa agoda kasi.. ok naman ba? or mas ok bang direct? tapos plan ko magavail ng angkor w.a.t tour sa kanila.. kasama na ba dun yung sa sunrise?

clarify ko lang din. angkor w.a.t pertains to the area kung asan yung mga temples right? kaya need ng pass kung papasok sa area na yun?

pa-recommend naman ako mga sis ng pwede gawin maliban sa pgvisit ng temples? may 1 day kasi kami for 1 whole day temple tour, avail din kami ng 1 day pass lang.. then the next day gusto sana namin chill lang, ano kaya pwede puntahan?

[conp_]

Hi guys!

We plan on taking the afternoon bus trip from HCMC to PP. We'll be at PP hopefully by 9 pm. I'm thinking na mag-sidetrip sa PP before going to SR. Here's our draft itinerary:

Day 3
Take 3 PM trip to PP via Mekong Express
Dinner and hotel check in

Day 4
PP tour (Killing Fields, Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, and Royal Palace)
Take 2:25 PM trip to SR via Mekong Express

Questions:
1. Is the Russian Market still open at 10:30 PM?
2. Any suggestions on where we can take our dinner at PP?
3. Can we visit Killing Fields, Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, and Royal Palace in half day?
4. Suggestions also on where to take our lunch before heading out for SR.
5. Many of my friends suggest to just go straight to SR from HCMC. Worth it ba ang side trip to PP?

Thank you!!!

[dulcette]

^ most people only stop over sa PP for a few days kasi more than 6 hours ang biyahe from HCM to PP. But if you can endure another 6+++ hours in the bus, then go straight to SR. To me, skippable ang PP.

Flat naman ang roads, dusty at mainit, madaming langaw. may time na parang walang A/C yung bus sa sobrang init hindi kinaya idecrease ang temperature sa loob. If you can, buy the tickets sa terminal mismo, and ask to pay in their local currency.

[oolong]

Last weekend we traveled to SR from HCM via Mekong Express and during our route to SR the stewardess collected all our passports and told us to insert 1USD in each of our passport for the police because we are travelling as a group (7 kami).  When it is our turn in the Viet border, looks like the IO held our passports, entertained the ones behind us first and we waited for almost an hour to get our passports back. Sa Cambodia naman, after tatak ng passport hiningan din kami ng pera bago inabot sa amin mga passports. Pabalik ganon din we inserted 1USD sa passports pero d na kami nag abot ng pera sa cambodia border. Anyone here experienced the same?

[Shadow Angel]

^naku sis wala naman ganun sa amin kasi ako lang ang hinihingan kasi ako napa iba ng pila sa mga kasama ko pero nabasa ko kai hindi required ang magbigay lagay kasi yun kaya ang ginawa ko sabi ko wala akong pera hehe ang laki rin ng nakuha sa inyo ha

[huit]

Sisses! Pag need niyo ng tour guide sa siem reap and tuktuk just message me ha. We know someone very nice and funny. Dati siyang receptionist sa Bou Savy Guesthouse, baka na meet niyo na rin siya if dun kayo nag stay. Si Sochea, hehe. May business na siya. hehe.

[ooh-la-la]

i\ll be travelling to SR thos Nov 21-24
Since Cebupac arrival is already late, mag hire na lang ako ng tuktuk going to Bou Savvy?

Can you suggest also a 3 days itinerary? thanks

[ooh-la-la]

ok ba yung ganitong 3 days itinerary? eto yung binigay sakin ni Sam (Facebook.com/samtuktuk)

Day 1: pick up from airport

Day 2:
1- Angkor [textspeak!]
2- Angkor Thom (old capitol)
3- Bayon ( smiling faces temple)
4-Ta Prohm (tomd raider temple)

And also smaller temples within the circuit if you wish to visit.

Buffet Dinner and watching the Cambodian Apsara cultural traditional dance show. If you're interested, please let me know so I can make a good seats reservation for the dance show.

Day 3:
Sunrise
1- Banteay Srei
2- Pre Rup
3- East Mebon
4- Ta Som
5- Neak Pean
6- Preah Khan

Day 4:
1- Phnom Kulen Mountian
Kulen mountain is a huge plateau on the northeast of Siem Reap town approximately 50 kilometers. It was one of the most important sites during the Angkor period. History of Angkor era had been started here, when the King Jayavarman II proclaimed, in AD 802, independence from Java, and settled his capital city in this site. This mountain is the resource place for hundred of Khmer temple constructions, in the Golden Angkor Period, where one can find many secret and amazing histories behind it. The mountain was the source of Siem Reap River, which was later use to supply Angkor city the water for rice cultivation and daily usage. Since thousand of lingas had been carved under the clear water on the mountain, it became holy river of Khmer Empire during Angkor period.
Nowadays, Phnom Kulen is still believed as a sacred mountain among Cambodians, especially local people. Visitors who had come here always take their chance to pray for luck at a huge reclining Buddha statue carved from one huge sandstone. Local inhabitants believe that one visiting the area can not do bad things or activities, or they will be in any kind of trouble because of the sacred spirits. If good people pray for luck, their wish will become true. Kulen Mountain is the house of early Angkorian history and beautiful nature, including numerous ruin temples, green tropical forest, fresh wild fruits, wild animals, and beautiful cool-and-fresh waterfall about 30 meters high, also is part of the tomb raider was filmed. While on the 487 meter peak of the mountain, visitors can view tremendous scenery of the surrounding forest, and can find peaceful feeling by themselves.


2- Beng Melea Temple:
Beng Melea (Indiana Jone's Temple), is a spectacular jungle temple around 70km drive to the northeast of Siem Reap. It is one of the "new" highlights of Cambodia, having only been cleared of land mines at the end of 2003. Built by Suryavarman II, in the style of Angkor [textspeak!]; its scale is huge; being well over 1sq. kilometer within its moat. Approached by four causeway; Beng Melea appears to be a huge pile of rubble partially hidden in the trees. Once you get closer the high walls, the ancient Khmer Architecture reveals itself. Cloaked in vegetation and with few concessions to tourism; this temple looks like it would have done when the early French explorers found it. A new road linking Siem Reap to Beng Melea was cut through the jungle in 2003, and is now all paved, and you can see the countryside and everyday life of rural villages. It takes a little over an hour to drive there. Beng Melea is not yet on the main tourists trail but word is spreading fast; so come here now as this fabulous place will "NOT STAY'', like it for too long!!!!!


"Not included with the tour price"
(meals/drinks/tip)
Angkor pass: 3 days $40/person
Beng Melea Ticket: $5/person
Boat Ticket: $15-20/person
Dinner/show: $12/person

If you're ok with the itinerary I can send the cost is transportation and tour guide.


Sam

[perasense]

That's a good initnerary. Love ko yang si Sam! Twice ko na syang naging driver sa Siem Reap yan. First nung kasama ko parents ko, 2nd nung kasama ko friends ko.

Although yung Day 3 pwede nyo ipa-switch for a trip sa isa sa mga villages sa lake. Promise, magsasawa kayo sa temples after nung 2nd day.

Kami nung friend ko, pina-switch namin. Gandang experience kasi kinausap ni Sam kung nagda-drive ng boat na ipa-try kami mag-drive ng boat (parang car lang ang setup). So nakakatuwang masabi we drove a boat along the Tonle Sap lake haha.

[ooh-la-la]

^may I ask kung ano yung name ng villages? thanks!

[perasense]

^^Chong Kneas, Kompong Phluk, Kompong Khleang

pinaka malayo yung Kompong Khleang pero yan yung pinaka authentic, Chong Kneas yung pinaka touristy. separate trip yang tatlo kasi iba-ibang areas sila ng lake. you have to choose one.

[manlavs]

hi po.,.. meron po ba nag airplane dito from SIEM REAP to HO CHIH MINH? may alam po ba kayo magkano cheapest flights? thank u..

[perasense]

^^ flights are expensive. monopolized ng 2 airlines ang route ng siem reap-hcmc. One way flight is normally $150 pataas (depending sa season at time of booking).

either cambodia angkor air or vietnam air lang ang choices mo. Full-service airlines sila, hindi low cost carrier (meaning PAL ang comparable local airline, not CebuPac) so mas expensive talaga. At dahil monopolized nila yung route, bihira rin mag sale.

If you have the time, why not take the bus? Takes 12-15 hours depending on the bus company. Or if you don't want to travel by bus ng ganun katagal, make a day stop-over sa Phnom Penh. Bus costs less than $25 usually.

[manlavs]

thanks sis😊 may sleeper bus ba from siem reap to hcmc? nagkamali kasi ako ng book feb27 gabi pala ang datng tapos mar1 morning dapat nasa hcm na kami hahaha so one day lang ang mapapasyal sa siem reap.. kaya ba ng one day tour ang siem reap?