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)