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Daily life Phnom Penh
11 Reviews Opposite the Royal Palace along the river is this small shrine which seemed to have some kind of ceremony happening when I was there. You'll also find people selling flowers, birds (which I think are...
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Useful informations Phnom Penh
7 Reviews The traditionally greeting in Khmer culture is a bow with the palms placed together at chest level. To show greater respect, a person can bow lower and raising the hands higher. However, Cambodians...
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Mindset Phnom Penh
3 Reviews Cambodian people don't seem to have any manners. This can be observed daily. Of course this excludes the service people who are paid to be polite and nice (ie, hotel staff reception desk, waitress,...
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Religion Phnom Penh
6 Reviews It’s a very common sight to see Buddha’s in local temples with money donations in plain view, something Westerns might find odd in such a poverty stricken country. But as is the case in most cultures,...
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Local Market Phnom Penh
1 Review The Olympic Market is a three story covered market near the Olympic Stadium which was upgraded and reopened in 1994 and now specialises in wholesale items. I went here with a Cambodian girl (who lives...
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On the way to Siem Reap I spent more than 4 hours in a pick up vehicle with many other cambodians. There I had the chance to experience my first contact with locals.They don't speak much of english here (except in hotels...) but with signs and good will we could hold a few simple conversations... anyway I had nothing better to do in the meanwhile, LOL
I do like hear Cambodians speaking in their Khmer lingo. But unfortunately, my trip just so short :( Then I ask how they write down my name in Khmer characters and I found several similarities with old Javanese character called "Kawi" --since Kawi also derivatives from Sanskrit characters. Like the way they put *'* above the vowel to make it as consonant. Like 'ukira' becomes 'ukir'. Thanks for introducing me to Khmer character, Sokhom :)Here several words in Khmer lingo:* Hello = soustey* Bye = lei heiy* Thanks = okhon* Thanks a lot = okhon chran
If you visit the Temples of Ankgor, you may be surprised at the sheer number of kids and young people hawking t-shirts, local crafts, books and film as you walk between the temples. Although some may find it an annoyance, I found the sheer persistence to get the sale impressive. My understanding is that after school, local kids head out to the temples to sell things to try to make some money to supplement the family income and to help pay for their schooling. When I told a young girl trying to sell me a bamboo flute (I had already bought 4 of them!) that I was out of money, her reply was simply, "If you were out of money, you wouldn't come here!" Charming!
The rising middle class are getting more and more motorcycles. From talking to my friend that went there for the first time in 1996 there are lot's more motorcycles on the road. When he first went there it was mostly bicycles. If I get a chance to return someday it will be all cars and buses for sure. The roads will have to be changed if that happens as they are designed for very little use. As more of us "outsiders" visit we will be affecting this change drastically!
Cambodian, also known as Khmer, is the official language of the Kingdom of Cambodia and it is spoken by almost all Cambodians. Khmer is also understood by people in many bordering countries such as Thailand (in the eastern provinces of Buriram, Surin, and Srisket in the northern Thailand), in the Mekong Delta region of South Vietnam, and in southern Laos.To say hello, say "Cum riep sue" (said like choom rreep sooah, with the "r" rolled)To say thank you, say "qAA kun" (said like haa- koon)
I never saw the regular pumps work. Everytime we stopped for gas we bought the gas from pre-filled glass bottles!! As you see the are stacked next to the gas pumps. I forgot which color is for motorcycles but if you rent a bike and are driving yourself around it will be a good idea to learn which color gas you will need.
If you cross the border at Poitpet you will see how the locals are hauling large loads of goods across the border. You think you have it tough crossing the border ...I watched those guys get checked more strict than I did! I'm guessing that the border guards are getting tips or bribes from these guys too. Who knows what is hidden inside some of these big loads.
You will see many people making offerings to Buddha. This lady is quite pushy at the Bayon she puts the incense sticks right in your face as you walk by. But the Buddha that was near is one of the most photogenic and she probably knows it.
Tipping is not expected, but is appreciated (by the recipient). In order not to offend the local population (as well as not help create a sense of entitlement as exists in the U.S.), tipping should be kept to small denominations of local currency. Be mindful that a person purchasing a good or service from a local business is considered, in and of itself, a kind of "tip." Anything given above and beyond is meant to convey a sense that you appreciated the services offered.
There is no section for this so I am going to put it here. Cambodia is a cash economy. Credit cards are taken at 5 star hotels, and a few shops. There are no ATM's in the country, and you either carry cash or Travelers Checks. The banks will cash the travelers checks and charge a small fee. They will give you the money in US dollars, if you want Reil you have to ask for it. Change will be given in Reil. the Reil is about 3800 to 1 US dollar. Everyone takes US dollars and itmes are mostly priced in US dollars. Be sure you have enough money in cash/travelers checks before you get to Cambodia. Also keep 15 or 20 thousand Reil in your pocket for Moto's and small items.If you pay for those items in dollars you might be overcharged.
Raffles Hotel Le Royal Phnom Penh
9 Reviews and 371 Opinions Raffles Hotel Le Royal is the premier hotel in Phnom Penh. The hotel was first established in 1929...
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La Residence d'Angkor Siem Reap
1 Review and 372 Opinions The hotel is simply splendid. The spa is the ideal manner for relaxing after a long sightseeing of...
Au Cabaret Vert Battambang
56 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Cambodia attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Cambodia sightseeing.
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Q: I have only 6 days in Asia - planing to go through Cambodia and Vietnam and do a quick sight seeing tour through both countries ....
A: You could very well spend those 6 days in Vietnam alone yet it may not be enough, but that depends on what your interests are. It may be best to devote those days to just...
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