438 replies to this topic

[dixon cox]

I was fortunate enough earlier this year to spend 6 months of it away from my usual mundane existence in the UK, enjoying 2 months in Thailand and 4 months in Cambodia.

As there's already so much written about Thailand in this thread I'll focus only on Cambodia, at the beginning of their new year in April, 2011. The year of the rabbit.

Similar to my "Last Millenium" thread, this will not be a monger's tale, but more of a pictorial with any worthwhile information added as I go along, such as accommodation and transportation etc. and I will be posting things chronologically.

My travels within the country took me to Sihanoukville, Battambang, Siem Reap, and of course, Phnom Penh. So any Cambodian related questions or discussions about these locations or the country in general are more than welcome.

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[batman4ever]

looking forward to this DC, has many time thought about taking Oh with me for a trip there

[dixon cox]

Having returned to the UK to deal with some business following my 2 months in Thailand, I was now ready to travel again, via Bangkok, for Cambodia. I had my shortest ever stay so far in Thailand, just 7 hours.

Returning to Asia I enjoyed one of the easiest journeys I've ever had. 3 easy trains to London's Heathrow Airport from home, easy check-in, an empty seat beside me on my Thai TG911 flight to Bangkok, and hardly anyone at the immigration queues at Suvarnabhumi. The proverbial piece of cake.

Following advice from my good friend pdogg I'd arranged a day room at a hotel close to the airport, The Great Residence Hotel. I had a 7 hour wait for my flight to Phnom Penh and I didn't fancy hanging around the airport feeling unrested and unclean, so I took the excellent advice and I'm so glad I did. I had a shower, a nap and a massage, lovely.

With Thailand over and done with already, it was time to leave for Phnom Penh.

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[dixon cox]

The Cambodian New Year is far more subdued than in Thailand, but no less enjoyable. In fact, it is considered rude to throw water on a person, so there is non of that, they just focus on making food offerings to monks in the day and having a good time in the evening.

On arrival I took a taxi from Phnom Penh International Airport, costing $10 including tip (tuk-tuks are cheaper at $7 or less) to the Circuit Hotel on Street 154, just off Street 51, close to the Heart of Darkness and an easy walk to Sorya Center and the Central Market.

The cost of a room alongside the balcony is/was $18 per night, but we got a reduced rate of $15 per night booking for a week at a time. It included one free breakfast, free WiFi (average), hot water, TV and AC.

http://www.circuithotel.net/

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[BigTel]

Nice one DC , I am looking forward to this, the only time I have spent in Cambodia was on border runs whilst living in Thailand.

[dixon cox]

looking forward to this DC, has many time thought about taking Oh with me for a trip there

Well done DC, I'm looking forward to this

Nice one DC

Thanks guys

Seems like many who visit Cambodia do it for just a short 2 or 3 day trip in order to renew their Thai visa. I did that very same thing myself earlier this year between my 2 months in Thailand and it was that trip which rekindled my desire to return for what is the first of many extended trips, I hope.

My first trip to Cambodia was back in 1999 and will be covered in my Last Millenium thread, but where a pictorial comparison between then and now is available, I will show the 12 year difference.

[dixon cox]

At the temple the monks lined up and received the food, which was brought to them pre-prepared by the locals in stackable stainless steel containers which kept the food nicely divided and warm. Also, donations of cash were made right, left and centre, but mostly in 100 riel notes (about 2½ cents) which were readily available for exchange outside within the temple grounds, all in pristine condition and in neat little bundles.

Stung Meanchey is a district of Phnom Penh and is well-known by many as the location of the principal rubbish dump for the City. Although it has since been closed, sealed and covered, the local residents who made a living off the dump, at around $1 a day, still reside in the slums right along-side the 100 acre site. I will cover more about that fascinating, yet heart-wrenching place later on.

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[Legend]

really nice reporting dc, i like this stuff.

[eslmiker]

I've not made a trip to Cambodia yet. On oversight I must rectify on my next trip if it all possible. Looking forward to the rest DC.

[dixon cox]

When staying for extended periods in a country the urge to go out every night is on the wain quite quickly, also for financial reasons and that you need to pace yourself. But as this was my first night in Phnom Penh and it was the Khmer New Year I was eager to get out there and have a good time.

As there were three New Year ladyboy shows planned at "The Classic Night", better known as Classic, and it was there we went first to start the evening's entertainment off, followed by Pontoon after the second of the two different Classic shows. All very enjoyable, but horrendously loud in there, so we decided to skip the third show.

The Classic Night is located on the corner of Street 63 and Street 288 and is too far to walk from anywhere you'd be likely to stay, so you would ideally need the services of a tuk-tuk or get a ride on a friend's bike.

Pontoon is located on Street 172 at the end of the Sorya Market, just off Street 51, about 2 minutes walk from the Heart of Darkness and 5 minutes from my bed at the Circuit Hotel.

Street 51 has plenty of late night eats available, both Barang (the Khmer word for foreigner) and Khmer.

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[KendoUK]

I see camera equipment has definitely improved since the last millennium TR!