Cambodia:
Time zone
| 2.5 Hours ahead IST
|
Currency
| Locals prefer all payments in USD [The local currency Reals is hightly devalued] |
Language
| Khamer
|
Food
| Multicusine , if you are a vegetarian do specify to the restaurant that you want no meat. Vegetarian term is also used locally for people who have meat but don't drink alcohol. |
Culture
| You will be transported to a different era. |
Specialities
| Local favourite Angkor Beer. Cambodian hammocks. |
Visa is cool (but could be costly)!
Many nations have Visa on Arrival for Cambodia (Indian have Visa on arrival as well). But the catch is that the Visa Fee needs to be paid in USD. If you try to pay in any other currency (even in local currency) you will be ripped by the excahnge rate. BE SAFE CARRY USD for Visa.
Travel options are many
Singapore Airlines and some other Low cost airlines do fly directly to Siam Reap but the tickets are a little more expensive than Phonem Phem (another tourist destination in Cambodia). Coming from Bangkok only Bangkok Airways (local carrier of Thailand with some International routes) flies from Bangkok to Siam Reap and the flight is less than an hour long. There are some Cheap buses with do a one day travel from Khao-san road in Bangkok to Siam Reap but seemingly they take much longer time and some travelers don't seem happy with their service.
5 things you must carry!
A power adaptor: or you might end up with an uncharged camera/ laptop at the end of first day. Thank fully all good hotels would have universal sockets but it always helps to go prepared.
An international credit/debit card with ATM pin, in case you need to take cash advance. (Most of us never use credit cards to take cash advance so never bother to remember it)
NO Local currency: Surprisingly you won't need any local currency (unless you want to collect some)- USD is the most accepted currency. Tuk Tuk accept only cash.
Calling card: In case you need to call back to India. You could buy this at Indian airport itself.
Tip: If you forget to change currency at Airport and don't have any currency for Airport to Hotel taxi, ask the hotel to pay the taxi and add it to your room bill!
On reaching Siam Reap!
It is always advisable to get the hotel to send a pick-up for you as the Airport would seem to be quite far from the hotel (especially if you have to travel on a Tuk-Tuk).
Once in the hotel ask them about what would be the best time to visit Angkor Wat and ask them to arrange for a Tuk Tuk.
Angkor Wat has an interesting view during sun rise and many photographers take great pains to capture the sun rising from behind the temple complex. A cloudy day might spoil your fun though.
There are some spots nearby like Dante Sarai, some water falls, a floating village etc. If you have the time and money try to cover all these as well.
Public transport = Tuk Tuk!
Siam Reap has specially designed motorcycle driven Tuk Tuks. These are good enough to carry you short to long hauls. Tuk Tuks can also be hired off the road.
Hotels accommodation should be cheap... if you plan in advance and keep an eye on
wotif.com and other related sites