Thailand to Sihanoukville 2

The trip does require a night in Koh Kong, the border town on the Cambodian side, because the border opens in the morning at the same time that the boat leaves (at 8:00 a.m.) It's a ten minute ride into town by taxi, fifteen by motorbike. Don't pay more than half of the original asking price. I always shout out "Moto Guesthouse!" and quickly get whisked away from the pestering hoards of touts.

DO NOT change money at the border. No need to as all of Koh Kong accepts U.S. dollars or Thai Baht and all of Cambodia uses U.S. Dollars.
The Moto cost 200 Baht and offered air conditioning, cable TV, a swimming pool, and excellent meals. The town is small and an afternoon is sufficient to see it. I partied there one night with some Germans and we all ended up missing the one daily boat. That made for one extra, very long day in Koh Kong! The guest house offered to amend our tickets for a healthy fee. The Germans paid but I refused. Boarding on the following morning, the boat company accepted my 'out-dated' ticket with no questions asked.

All the guesthouses sell tickets for the boat (U.S.$20) and arrange transport to the dock. Tickets can be also purchased at the dock before boarding. There are numerous guesthouses within walking distance of the dock as well.
(to be continued)

Thailand to Sihanoukville/Kampot

Anyone know the best way to get from Thailand (by boat, I'm guessing, but up for other suggestions) to either Sihanoukville or Kampot?
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Take the bus to Trat (Eastern Bus Terminal in Bkk), change bus to the border, after crossing either by moto taxi or taxi to Koh Kong town. From there take another bus to SHKV. The road Koh Kong to SHKV has been repaired and there is no reason to take the boat ferry any more. connecting KK to SHKV. Boat was discontinued when the road was finished. Bus from KK to SihanoukVille, about $10usd.
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An easy way to get from Thailand into Sihanoukville, on the Cambodian coast, is by way of the fast boat. It also provides a nice way to do a loop from eastern Thailand-Sihanoukville-Phnom Penh-Siem Reap-Thailand, (if you are on a short visit and want to see the highlights of Cambodia without doing a lot of back-tracking.)
From Trat, Thailand, blue air-conditioned mini-busses make the run to the border from the new bus station whenever they get a full load of ten passengers. That is fairly often. The one-and-a-quarter-hour trip costs 110 Baht and is non-negotiable (by my ability anyway).
The border transit is fairly smooth, though a line tends to form at the Cambodian Point of Entry office where the application and fees are paid at one window and your passport with the new visa picked up at another. The 30-day visa cost $25.
(to be continued)

Cambodia 3weeks 2

Battambang is a good place to get to know a moto driver and do some day trips into the countryside.
kratie is small in a really nice way. see the dolphins and bike around.
ban lung was a really enjoyable place to chat with people in the market, relax, and enjoy nature. it's not hard to get away from the crazy touristy side of cambodia as it is pretty centered on siem reap and phnom penh (i still enjoyed both), and i hear sihanoukville, though we didn't go there.
it's a great country to spend some time in and not many people give it more than a week.
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We spent a month in Cambodia this June/July my recomendations apart for the obvious Phnom Penh and Siem Reap would be:
Kampot, Kep and Rabbit Island. Check to see if Bokor is open, spend a day on Rabbit Island in the peace and quiet. Enjoy the rivers and caves of Kampot and of course the food and laid back- ness of the place.
Battambang - do a cooking course at the smoking pot, ride the bamboo train, enjoy the great food! Hire a Tuk Tuk and get out in the country and villages.
Kratie - Irawaddy Dolphins and once again the laid back ness of this town along the banks of the mighty Mekong. Hire bikes and ride around the island across form the township.

Cambodia 3weeks in November/December

Hi haven't posted for a long time...haven't travelled for along time!
Am going to Cambodia in November/December for 3 weeks and would like to know what people with some experience here would recommend in terms of places to visit, things to see, treks/journeys to take and also where the best beaches are.
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Koh Kong, the new eco/adventure tour destination.
Ratanakiri/ Mondulkiri, trekking, jungle, elephants.
Siem Reap, Angkor and outlying 'jungle' temples.
Kratie, fresh water dolphins, cycling, sustainable tourism projects.
Battambong, typical Cambo provincial capital, quiet, laid back, lots of history.
Phnom Penh, cultural center of modern Cambodia, the capital.
Sihanoukville and islands, the beach.
(to be continued)

south Laos

I have approx 2.5 weeks holiday and am thinking heading to south Laos from BKK
I 've been to North Laos 4 years ago with Vientiane VangVieng LuangPrabang and Meuong Ngoi.
Any suggestion for itinery. I'm thinking about the Vat Phou and the 4000 islands. Any other must sees? What about Konglor cave a bit more North?
Can I cross over from Laos into Cambodia ang get visa at border ? I read it's not possible the other way round.
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If you will be in Pakse, you can use that as a base to see Champsak (Wat Pu) and even head to the Bolaven area (Tad Fane falls, etc) and then from there you cold head to Si Phan Don and see the river islands, and stay there a few days to relax. You can also take a day trip to Khon Phapheng falls. Cambodian visas are available at the border crossing into Cambodia but Lao visas are not available if you are crossing into Laos from Cambodia.
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It would probably be easier to head to Nakhon Phanom and cross over the Mekong to Thakek first if you want to visit the Tham Konglo and then work your way south to Pakse, visit the Bolavens, then to Vat Phu near Champasak before heading down to Nakasang for the crossing to Don Det/Khon and then onward to Cambodia. How much time do you plan to spend in Cambodia, because you could easily use up 12-15 days just for the Lao segment of your trip? Posted
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bus from Bangkok to Ubo Ratchadamri cross pakse don det for few days visa on arrival Laos to Cambodia but not other way around. after dolphins and phaseng falls bus to phnom en then back up to siem Reapa nd minibus to Koh Chang direct for alst few days on beach there ae buses direct Trat to airport or alternative get of Ban pey (stop before eckmai)and take taxi or minibus at bus stop opposite where bus drops you off, or go Bangkok

Laos Itinerary help 2

No, you don't miss much not doing the two boring days on the slow boat; there are better boat trips anyway.

No, you won't miss much not going to LNT and trek overnight to village there; you can do that in many other places in Laos.

Like trains? Train Bkk-Vinetiane

Then Vang-Vieng-Luang Prabang-boat trip Nam Ou to Nong Khiaw - Muang Ngoi-back to Nong Khiaw-Xam Neua-Phonsavanh -direct to Pakxan (buses dry season only)-ViengKham-Nahin/Khonglor-Thakek-Savn'ket-Pakse-Champasak-4000islands; then back into Thailand, by bus to Ubon Ratch, by train back to Bangkok.

Gets you away from the pancake trail a bit.

Trekking: out of Nong Khiaw, Khonglor, Pakse.

However rather a full month itenary and not 20-21 days.

Options to speed up things:
Skip Vang Vieng (you will see more stunning carst peak at Khonglor), Muang Ngoi (little Vang Vieng hang loose community, carst scenery again); on the way to Pakse one stop (or do no stop) overnight is enought o break the journey, no need to do both Thakhek and S'keth.

That would be ok in about 21 days.

Laos Itinerary help

I have one month, starting and ending in Bangkok. I want to use most of my time to travel through Laos from north to south, and perhaps end my holiday with a few days on a Thai island, depending on how much I like 4000 islands or not (if I find that relaxing and fun I might stay there and head straight to Bangkok).
But I am having trouble deciding how / where to start... people have told me to go to Huay Xai and take a boat to Luang Prabang. But I am also interested in Nam Ha / doing some trekking.
What would be more practical?

A. Bangkok - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang - Nam Ha - backtrek to Luang Prabang or do a loop through northeastern Laos?
B. Bangkok - Huay Xai - Nam Ha - Luang Prabang > would I miss out much by not doing that boat trip?
C. Bangkok - Vientiane (I really like trains!) - Vang Vieng (depending on whether I can cope with it) - Luang Prabang - Nam Ha - loop back through northeastern Laos, or...?? Would I miss anything by skipping that Huay Xai corner of the country?
Any other suggestions and highlights welcome, i.e. itinerary suggestions, suggested stops along the way from Bangkok to Laos, highlights or hidden gems in Laos. Thank you!
(to be continued)

Cambodia - Is it Corrupt?

In Cambodia children are sold into prostitution.
There are foreign organizations stopping this to some extent. There are some Cambodian people making money from it. There are some Cambodian people turning a blind eye. There are some Cambodian people powerless to do anything about it.
In Cambodia, poor people are sometimes tricked or coerced into giving their children up for adoption. People from other countries are told that their parents are dead, and adopt these children. The Cambodian people doing this, will be very nice and polite, while they are lying to their face. Britain has banned adoption from Cambodia because there is too much dishonesty.
Again, there are some people making money from this. There are some people turning a blind eye. There are some people powerless to do anything about it.
These are just examples of what happens in Cambodia.
This type of attitude runs through the entire system. People in Cambodia make money with no regard to honesty or fairness the way we understand it.
If you learn the language, go and talk to the poor people about a whole lot of issues which affect their everyday life, and listen to how they are treated, you will probably cry.
The tourist guides won't normally tell you about these things. They want to present a nice picture of Cambodia to the outside world.
(to be continued)

Cambodia - Is it Safe/ Corrupt/ Unhealthy?

To put things in perspective, it is safer than the United States.
However, be sensible. For example, don't walk alone in certain places late at night.
If you left valuables unattended, most likely they would be stolen. However, very few people would threaten you with violence to take your valuables.

Is it Corrupt?
For local people doing business, the system is very corrupt. Those with money can do whatever they want, but the poor are not given a fair go. People see the poverty. Most don't understand, the real problem is a corrupt system.
But this does not normally affect tourists. Most tourists are not aware of what really goes on.
There is corruption in most poor countries.

Is it Unhealthy (disease).
If you are a sensible person, the main thing to be concerned about, is drinking contaminated water, or eating food prepared with contaminated water and getting diarrhea. Be sensible with what you eat and drink.
Every country has some sickness and disease. In places where there is a lot of poverty, it tends to be worse than in places where people have everything they need.
(to be continued)

Nepal - Bhaktapur - Bodhnath

Cambodia - Siem Reap, Angkor Wat

 

Cambodia and its history

Never been to Cambodia myself, but have plans to spend a period of time their next year. Spoken with a friend of mine that has been going to the country since the mid 90's and he left a lasting impression of a country that has a history of warfare; one that gave birth to corruption, violence, loss of cultural identity and so much more. This isn't meant to cast a completely pessimistic pall over the country or taint anyone's impression, actually I'm trying to widen my frame of reference and see how folks that have traveled/lived in Cambodia have experienced.
Is it safe? Corrupt? Unhealthy (disease).
What have your experiences been?
CathyP
I have been to Cambodia three times (fourth trip will be later this year in August) Gary also worked there for a year with UNTAC. I love the place and they are doing their best to get on with life. As a tourist we have never had any problems, there are some brilliant restaurants and shopping is fantastic.
I really love Phnom Penh oh and of course Seam Reap is a must do to see Angkor Wat etc etc.
Have a look at my link below as there is all the info and photos from our various trips there plus recommended restaurants etc etc.
Cathy
(to be continued)

how Safe is it to visit Cambodia

Just wondering how Safe it is to visit Cambodia in terms of:
a) Personal Safety
b) Accomodations (4-Star hotels) -
c) Medically (infectous/tropical diseases + Water) etc.
I am in process of compiling a list of destinations for our annual trip abroad - we will be traveling to Asia - just wondering if Cambodia is worth a visit or not! And we can do it safely
Thanks in advance
Munirfarhan

1) Hi there, i was in Cambodia for 2 months as a single female traveller and i never felt my safety was compromised at all. Just use common sense ie not walking the streets alone late at night. Cambodian people are very friendly and helpful.
2) plenty of great accommodation. In Siem Reap i stayed in a place called new Riverside hotel which is just near the Angkor high school, i can get the web address. This place was amazing, not sure how many stars but brand new and rooms for around $25 per night! Transport right on your doorstep with a team of reputable tuk tuk drivers, swimming pool and free internet. The Tara Angkor is a 5 star hotel in Siem Reap. I'm not sure about Phnom Pehn. In sihanoukville i stayed Tranquility Guesthouse on Serendipity beach, bungalows for around $25 per night.
3) I had a combined Hep A and B shot and a typhoid injection. For malaria they use basically a broad spectrum antibiotic. It was overkill and i only needed it because i was teaching in remote areas.
Overall i highly highly recommend cambodia, the people will win you over so quickly!! Please dont hesitate to ask any questions :)
tara
(to be continued)

Cambodia. Phnom Penh, Siem Reap

I have just returned from 2 months in Cambodia, so if anyone is planning on visiting this AMAZING country, please let me know and i will be delighted to give you some tips.

In Phnom Penh i stayed at the Indochine Hotel on Sisowath Quay, and used a moto driver named Ken (ph: 0236902453).

In Siem Reap, i stayed at the New Riverside Hotel and used the services of an amazing tuk tuk driver named Mr Sopheap who i would highly recommend for a visit to Angkor Wat or trips around town ph: (017354144) or csopheap90@yahoo.com

tara
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Tara, I got all excited thinking there was a trip report to read lol, how about telling us what you did, saw, experienced etc.
Cathy

(to be continued)
 

Itinerary help Laos 3

Yeah , as stated above is a good route. You can fly , bus or train to Chang Mai, and also when coming from Vientiane there is a cheap flight from Udon Thani in Thailand back to BKK. See airasia.com
The route can be done in either direction, both are just as good.
As for advice as to what to see, I suggest you get hold of copies of the Lonely Planet for Laos and Thailand. Try your local library if you don't want to buy them.
Have fun.
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As long as you are that far up in Laos at at Huay Xai, I suggest that you do a loop by bus through upper Laos through Luang Nam Tha, Muang Sing, Nong Khiauw and then a boat down to Luang Prabang. Great scenery and sights
 Vang Vieng, in many peoples' opinion including mine, is an tourist-ridden pit with lousy food and not much to recommend it.
Air flights arent really that expensive ,,budget $us100 for one one flight and you can save one or 2 days bus travel ..Vang Vieng ,,nice scenery coming in ,otherwise probably total cringe .. Posted
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Just do like at #1, that's how everyone else does. You can even buy the whole deal mini van to the border then ticket for boat via travel agents in Chang Mai.
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Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Huay Xai-Luang Prabang-Vientiane-Bangkok. Connect the dots.
Flights in/out Laos are relatively expensive. Air Asia flights between Bangkok-Chiang Mai/Rai, Udon Thani-Bangkok will cut down distance more cheaply.
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Skip Chiang mai, just a busy city, tacky tourist market. Early flight ,B,kok/ Chiang Rai , bus to Chang kong, tuk tuk to the border crossing and you will be in your guest house in Huay xai that afternoon = more time in Laos Better than Chiang mai and surrounds...imo that is Have fun

Itinerary help Laos 2

Trekking: out of Nong Khiaw, Khonglor, Pakse.

However rather a full month itenary and not 20-21 days.

Options to speed up things:

Skip Vang Vieng (you will see more stunning carst peak at Khonglor), Muang Ngoi (little Vang Vieng hang loose community, carst scenery again); on the way to Pakse one stop (or do no stop) overnight is enought o break the journey, no need to do both Thakhek and S'keth.

That would be ok in about 21 days.

Best way to do Laos and Chiang Mai

In Feb next year I'm looking to do Laos and Chiang Mai, ideally without having to double back through Laos. It doesn't matter which one is done first, but most likely coming from Bangkok. I'm not sure if it would be best to do Chiang Mai first, then work through Vientiane to Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang and fly back to Bangkok or whether to do it vice versa. Also flights are quiet expensive so if anyone else knows a more economical way that would be much better! Oh as well as any advice as to what to see in these places.

by: freenote

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Bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai .Bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong .Leave Thailand ,boat across Mekong enter Lao at Huay Xai .Boat down river to Luang Prabang . Bus to Vang Vieng ,quick tube :) Bus to Vientiane .Bus ,train ? back to Bangkok ..

Hope this helps ..Happy traveling .

(to be continued)

Itinerary help Laos 1

I have one month, starting and ending in Bangkok. I want to use most of my time to travel through Laos from north to south, and perhaps end my holiday with a few days on a Thai island, depending on how much I like 4000 islands or not (if I find that relaxing and fun I might stay there and head straight to Bangkok).
But I am having trouble deciding how / where to start... people have told me to go to Huay Xai and take a boat to Luang Prabang. But I am also interested in Nam Ha / doing some trekking.

What would be more practical?
A. Bangkok - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang - Nam Ha - backtrek to Luang Prabang or do a loop through northeastern Laos?
B. Bangkok - Huay Xai - Nam Ha - Luang Prabang > would I miss out much by not doing that boat trip?
C. Bangkok - Vientiane (I really like trains!) - Vang Vieng (depending on whether I can cope with it) - Luang Prabang - Nam Ha - loop back through northeastern Laos, or...?? Would I miss anything by skipping that Huay Xai corner of the country?

Any other suggestions and highlights welcome, i.e. itinerary suggestions, suggested stops along the way from Bangkok to Laos, highlights or hidden gems in Laos.
Thank you!
Lisa
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No, you don't miss much not doing the two boring days on the slow boat; there are better boat trips anyway.
Like trains?
Train Bkk-Vinetiane
Then Vang-Vieng-Luang Prabang-boat trip Nam Ou to Nong Khiaw - Muang Ngoi-back to Nong Khiaw-Xam Neua-Phonsavanh -direct to Pakxan (buses dry season only)-ViengKham-Nahin/Khonglor-Thakek-Savn'ket-Pakse-Champasak-4000islands; then back into Thailand, by bus to Ubon Ratch, by train back to Bangkok.
Gets you away from the pancake trail a bit.
(to be continued)

Traffic in China 3

Traffic in China 2

Traffic in China

Malaysia Highlights 3

Perhentian Islands

Someone had recommended the Perhentian Islands to me and had raved about the place, so I was keen to check it out. I was blown away; I have never seen water so clear as I did in the Perhentians, nor sand so white. You could see tens of metres down, and it was as hot as bath water in the shallows. Prime scuba/snorkel terroritory, on a long snorkel trip I was lucky enough to spot a shark and a giant turtle surfacing. On the beach every night, the locals cook up today's catch and you can eat barbequed fish (plenty of choice). The only downer about the whole place was that beer was scarce and pricey, and it wasn't the best quality, but this is due to Malaysia's Muslim majority supporting a government that whacks up tax on alcohol (as well as the locals not wanting to have much to do with it due to their beliefs, understandably). I highly recommend the Perhentians for a visit.

Mount Kinabalu

Climbing Mount Kinabalu was right up there with the best experience of my whole year-long round the world trip, and I would strongly recommend attempting the climb, as it's very accessible. The best advice I can give is for you to take your time when planning. Make sure you have sturdy shoes, a headtorch, gloves, warm jacket and trousers, food and drink. The first climb up to Laban Rata at 3,300 metres is fine; you then stay overnight (accommodation is sparse, and MUST be booked in advance) and get up at 2 or 3am (ouch!) for a climb in the dark up to the summit ahead of the dawn which you watch from 4,000 metres. The climb is a fair challenge, and you may start to feel the effects of altitude sickness, but it's well worth it to see the sun rise at 13,000 feet. It's not an experience I will forget in a hurry.
Harold

Malaysia Highlights 2

Kuala Lumpur
KL Sentral train station highlights the economic differences between Malaysia and Thailand. It's a sparkling, clean place, all modern digital timetable boards and metallic corners, and makes poor old Hualampong look in dire need of a spring clean. I enjoyed wandering around KL's Chinatown, which has lots of decent food stalls where you can buy various deep fried delicacies for no money at all as well as sit down and munch on a proper Chinese meal. Little India was also a great experience, with its colourful night markets and vast array of eating options. And of course, the Petronas Towers are a marvellous sight that defines the whole city. Overall, though, I must say I found the city less engaging than Bangkok.

Cameron Highlands
Up in the hills, the Cameron Highlands are an old British colonial settlement. The temperature up there is far more palatable than the searing heat of KL. You'll need a jumper! It's good tea-growing country, and there are many plantations you can visit to drink a lovely fresh brew. There are plenty of decent walks, too, clearly signposted, which will take you through forests and past quaint rose gardens. The Cameron Highlands were further evidence of the vast diversity of Malaysia. 

Harold
(to be continued)
 

Malaysia Highlights

some of my personal favourite places in Malaysia. I must admit - I knew very little about Malaysia before I decided to visit, and I was fascinated when I found out about its diverse ethnic mix. As a more-than-developing, but not-quite-developed (compared with the Western notion of the term) country, I hadn't realised that it was a secular Muslim nation of ethnic Malays, as well as having sizeable minorities of Chinese and Indians too, all painted against a backdrop of recent British colonial history. This was a place worth checking out.

Penang
Penang was my first experience of Malaysia, travelling down from Hat Yai in Thailand on the train to the transport hub of Butterworth. The train was very late, seemingly hanging around at the border for a good hour, and I later learned that the underside of trains were (still are?) commonly scanned for bombs due to Islamic insurgency in the south of Thailand. Penang had all the elements I had read about: a Chinatown, cinemas offering Bollywood spectaculars, huge British colonial buildings, and little Malay restaurants serving up nasi goreng and other delicacies. Above all else, it had a relaxed, gentle, even affluent feel after so many months in Thailand. I only had enough time for a few hours' stop before continuing my journey, but I have since returned and find it a very pleasant destination that's well worth a stop-off when travelling between Thailand and southern Malaysia.
(to be continued)

Harold
photos: Janin