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#1
09-04-2008, 19:37
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Angkor Wat
Hi everyone,
I've wanted to see Angkor Wat for a long time and seeing as I would be in that part of the world for a while next month I thought it might be a good opportunity. So I was wondering if some of the other board members could give me a bit of advice on: -The best way to get to Siam Reap from Phuket. -Where to stay. -Roughly how much it will cost so I can budget it  -Any other bits of advice that might be useful. Thanks in advance. Last edited by mjwx : 09-04-2008 at 20:27. 
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#2
09-04-2008, 20:19
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#4
09-04-2008, 23:54
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I hope you go because it is a fantastic place, just put aside some of your booze and bar fine money to pay for the tickets.
Gettin pissed and shaggin is good but I think your memories of Cambo will last longer.
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#5
10-04-2008, 18:25
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Cheers
Just as a general guide, how much should I set aside? I was thinking along the Idea of AU$500 or would it be more along the lines of AU$7-800.
Also your TR mentioned using USD. Being an Aussie (and going to Thailand) means I don't normally deal in USD. Should I change some Baht into USD before I go or is the AUD and/or THB acceptable? Thanks
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#6
10-04-2008, 19:03
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US dollars will go a long way in Cambodia. It's still cheap there.
I can't remember how much it costs, but there is an entrance fee for the temple complex itself. The best way to see it, in my opinion at least, is to hire a moto and driver (like a tuk-tuk) for the day. We paid $10 but tipped him another $5 and he picked us up at around 10am, dropping us off after 6pm when Angkor closed. Good value. The currency is mostly US dollars, the official currency is riels but they are pretty much only good for giving away to kids. 1 US = 4000 riels, any transaction under a dollar will be in riels, anything over in dollars; take some dollars with you. If you go by road, Bangkok via the Poi Pet border crossing will eat up most part of a day. I would fly in preferance. Siam Reap is good fun and Angkor is worth seeing. I would like to go back again, I'm not sure that I did it justice last time around.
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#7
11-04-2008, 20:59
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Hi everyone,
I've wanted to see Angkor Wat for a long time and seeing as I would be in that part of the world for a while next month I thought it might be a good opportunity. So I was wondering if some of the other board members could give me a bit of advice on: -The best way to get to Siam Reap from Phuket. -Where to stay. -Roughly how much it will cost so I can budget it -Any other bits of advice that might be useful. Thanks in advance. Cheapest way to fly is probably Airasia via KL but that will cost you two flights but it will probably the cheapest way to go. The U.S $ is the defacto currency of Cambodia and it is accepted everywhere. The riel is really only used to give back change of less than a dollar. Get US dollars in Oz before you go preferably in denominations of less than $50 as getting change can be difficult. Get some 10 and fives and some $1 bills if you can as you will need thenm for small tranactions. Make sure your notes as as new as possible. If you get change in dollars make sure the bills are in good nick or you might have difficulty changing them. It will all make sense when it comes to paying you bills in Cambo. Good luck.
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#8
12-04-2008, 00:53
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Yes bring some dollars but ATM's in Cambodia give out US dollars. It shouldn't be an issue. Don't change Thai Baht there, they give really bad rates.
Last edited by Pad Mc : 12-04-2008 at 06:49.
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#9
12-04-2008, 01:37
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Quote:
when i was there 2 years ago, i couldnt find an ATM had to due a money advance
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#11
12-04-2008, 17:21
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Thanks for the advice everyone,
Been looking at air fares and the best I've been able to come up with is HKT-BKK-PP(Air Asia)-SR(Siam Reap Air) on the way there and SR-KL-HKT(Air Asia) on the way back. $415 AUD inc fee's and taxes. Spending all day on the plane or in airports though  So here's my quick budget (in AUD), would this be a reasonable expectation of what to pay (anything I've forgotten)? $415 for air fares from HKT to SR. $25 for Visa. $70 for a hotel for two nights. $200 for Food, Beer, Taxi/Tuk Tuk, entry fee's and other miscellaneous costs. Just a few more quick questions, Is it worth staying overnight in Phnom Pen and getting a flight to SR in the morning or just go straight to SR? Any hotels recommended by BM's, by reading the various threads I've got the Paragon hotel in PP and the Golden Orange hotel in SR.
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#12
12-04-2008, 17:35
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You will have a great time with that kind of money. I would recommend staying in PP for a few nights. A good city if you like to party and stay out late. Make sure and check out 104 st, near the river and the old market area, some cool bars there... Heres a map of that area. (I don't know anything about this site but it gives you an Idea) Map - Phnom Penh, Street 104 area
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#13
12-04-2008, 19:26
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I would cut out the PP-SR flight, it's only 5-6 hours on the bus and you will spend that mooching about in airports etc, save yourself some money there.
Flamingoes hotel in PP is ok, $25 ish a night and in a good spot. And I would definitely have a night or two in PP, it's edgy but quite an experience. And, to be fair, if you go down by the river and use the bars there (FCC club etc), there is no edginess at all. Great food as well, don't miss the Kiwi bakery. If you go to the likes of the Heart of Darkness and the Walkabout you might want to keep your wits about you.
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#14
12-04-2008, 21:20
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Thanks Steve, The HKT-BKK-PP route starts at about 9 AM and finishes around 4 PM (4 hours spent waiting in Suvarnabumi but there are worse airports to be stuck in), the last flight to SR is at 6:10 PM but I've been leaning towards spending a night or two in PP as there's about 5 flights per day between PP and SR ($58 USD) plus there's the bus/boat (wouldn't mind a leisurely trip up a river, we don't have any good ones in Western Australia). I'm off to google those places you mentioned now.
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#15
12-04-2008, 23:18
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Flamingos
3, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tel: (855) 23 221640 E-mail: info@flamingos.com.kh FCC = Foreign Correspondants Club, great spot for people watching.
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#16
13-04-2008, 14:21
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i like both type of places but i did think it was real nice by the river, quite liked it and the FCC is awesome, felt like a place straight out of Casablanca, although a little touristy
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#17
13-04-2008, 15:31
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Taking the Boat
Express Boat PP to S.R - 25 US Dollar
I did this thinking the same a nice leisurely trip on the river...lots to see. Wrong! You will need to book your boat trip the day before, earlier if possible..... The reason is they overbook the boat so many people have to sit up on the roof...not great for 61/2 hours especially if raining! So you need to make sure you get a seat number. Even with a seat number everyone just sits on whatever seat they want so get there early on the day. Now inside the boat...windows do not open, the rear emergency exit is blocked! So if the boat were to go down....you would not get out! So I sat just behind the driver, you have exit doors either side of the driver so it is easy for you to get out and have a smoke, fresh air etc. Alsoi there is not much to see on the river...a few temples on the river bank as you set off but as soon as you get onto the lake....nothing to see but water. It is so big it is like being at sea, you cant even see land! If you can afford to fly then fly! I never took the bus so I don't know about that....check out my UPDATED trip report. http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/ca...ip-report.html Last edited by muddyhoop : 13-04-2008 at 16:04.
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#18
13-04-2008, 15:38
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Siem Reap Hotel
I highly recommend...
Mekong Angkor Palace No.2, Sivatha Road Siem Reap Mekong Angkor Palace Guesthouse in Angkor - Siem Reap, Cambodia | Book online I paid 20 US dollar per night Has a good swimming pool. Can walk to the main bar street, night market etc..
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#19
13-04-2008, 17:28
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Good advice... The night life seems to be a lot more "Full on" in PP... I was in The heart of darkness twice, had a great time there, but you could sense that if it did kick off things could get very bad... There was a lot of security there too, signs on the way in saying no firearms etc, but then inside lots of local Cambo lads smoking weed and drinking heavily...
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#20
13-04-2008, 18:08
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.... often with their own personal security guys hanging around, and often with their own guns still about them because they don't get searched or asked to hand theirs in. If a khmer boy in the HOD takes a shine to your girl, it might be wise to go find another girl.......
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#21
13-04-2008, 22:32
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Could anyone on this thread tell me if HOD or Walkabout is walking distance to Flamingos,will be there end of May mostly for tour but would like to go to one or other for a look . Would a frang be ok to just walk in by self or would be best with escort ?
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#22
13-04-2008, 23:23
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Walkabout is 200mt away, HOD a little further. Walkabout is fine on your own, quite friendly with maybe one or two dodgy characters there. HOD is a fairly dark and edgy place, but I don't think you will have big problems alone. I think it's much like being alone in Bangkok, the same rules for staying safe should apply.
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#23
13-04-2008, 23:24
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I went to both Walkabout and Heart of Darkness many times and never saw any Cambo lads, I felt comfortable to walk in both places alone. I would recommend taking a Taxi around the town at night though.
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#24
14-04-2008, 10:30
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I was last in Cambo about 3-4 years ago.....a detour after the Tsunami changed my plans.....I always used riels.....especialy for tipping and paying cafes, guides, motos, drinks, gals etc...
I wonder whether demand inflation from the influx of tourism has forced the $US as favoured currency
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 ....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
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