Getting around

Hi,

We will be travelling from HCMC (Vietnam) into Cambodia. We want to go to Phonom Phen and Siem Reap. A few questions;

- I know we can catch a bus from Vietnam, do we just buy our Cambodia Visas at the border?

- We would love to do a boat trip, can u catch a boat up to Siem Reap? How long does it take? How much does it cost?

- We are backpacking and doing it on the cheap, what are some fun/cheap things that are good to do in Cambodia? (We are doing Ankor Wat/Killing feilds etc)

- Ankor wat, can we bike around this or do you walk around it? Much time is really needed?

- We would like to do something like Cooking in Cambodia and maybe a Bakit class, anyone had any experience doing these tyope of things?

Cheers

Getting around

can%26#39;t help with first couple of questions - but all of Cambodia is cheap in comparison. Eating is especially cheap and I notice you%26#39;re an aussie so you%26#39;ll be pleased to know that beers are about $1US - everything is priced in US dollars - it%26#39;s just a shame the exchange rate with our $$ is so rotten at the moment. My Just back report has some more info about eating %26amp; drinking in SR

Angkor Wat itself needs half a day to really do it justice - and you really need another day and a half to see some of the others. You can%26#39;t actually take bikes into angkor wat or any of the temples - but you can bike between them and then you walk around inside. check out

www.canbypublications.com

and you%26#39;ll see why. If you%26#39;re interested in getting a tuk tuk while you%26#39;re there I%26#39;m happy to send you email details of the lovely fellow we used. $15 per day - it is really hot so pedal power will take a fair bit out of you unless you%26#39;re used to two wheels and pretty fit.

not sure what bakit is? can you give some more details

eating your way round SR is fun - and would take a month.

you going to have a fantastic time - cambodia is wonderful

Helen

there are some cooking classes - I recall seeing signs - perhaps other TA%26#39;s can advise

Getting around

I can answer some of your questions , yes you can buy your visa at the border , there is a boat trip to Seam Reap , cost and time i am not sure so will not quote .You can visit the Royal Palace and Cambodian museam , both close together , there is a cookery school on the river-side .I think what you mean is Batik , famous in Malasia ?

The boat from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh is $30 per person, and takes 5-6 hours. I did it about 4 years ago when it was $25 (this includes a mini-van pick-up fee at your hotel!) It%26#39;s a nice ride, but that is a hefty price if you compare it to the bus ($10 I think)...

Spend at least 3 days in Siem Reap seeing the temples. There are 1-day, 3-day and 1-week passes. 1 day whizzing around will not do it any justice. 3 days will give you time to see the small/large circuits, Angkor Wat, catch a couple sunrises %26amp;/or sunsets and see some of the outlying temples. The passes are not cheap, $40 for the 3-day pass...

You%26#39;ll also need about $25 for your Cambodian visa which you can apply for online here before you go

http://www.mfaic.gov.kh/e-visa/index.aspx

Definitely hire a tuk-tuk to take you around the temples. As another poster wrote, it%26#39;s pretty darn hot and the temples are really spread out. $12-$15 a day for a tuk-tuk, but do know they will expect more to take you to outlying temples (plus road tolls, if any). When you get to your guesthouse, have them hook you up with a tuk-tuk guy. You can sit down and discuss your intended route and then negotiate the cost. If you hire the guy for a few days, he will be with you all day, even to take you out at night.

FYI, the Killing Fields has historical significance and is entirely worth it if you are into that, but it is just a filed with a simple monument, and a fair bit outside of the city on a seriously potholed road. Beware of the village children hanging out there that will totally get into your hair begging when you are trying to absorb the peaceful eerieness there...

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is also definitely worth a visit if you are into history.

I assume that you will be staying in District 1 (backpacker area) when in Saigon.

You will be able to buy a boat/bus combo ticket from just about any street corner to travel to Phnom Penh.

From PP to Siem Reap catch the Mekong Bus. Its a 4-5 hr trip with a 20 minute comfort stop half way.

Pics and stories of our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia here.... www.thebobmarsh.com

Happy %26amp; safe travels