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Favorite thing: During our 5D4N Phnom Penh and Seam Reap trip, we enjoy travel to the Independent Monument, the Russian Market, the river cruise, visit to the Killing Museum, the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the Elephant Museum, the Wat Phnom up hill and the fruit market in Phnom Penh before we headed to Seam Reap. We also hired a tuk tuk to goto the river side street after dinner to have a close look. There are hotels and eating spots along the street. Many European stay here. Next time we plan a trip PP, most probably we would book a hotel at river side street. Many PP attractions are in walking distance from here.
Our Stay : 2 N at Salita Hotel, PP - good, 2 N at Lin Ratanak Hotel, SR - good
Our Tour Guide : Miss Lyly, tel : +855 17 60 65 60 / +855 97 70 169 70, skype : rabbit.lyly1
Our Driver : Mr. Jumripsu, His car : Mercedes Benz MB2000 mini bus
Fondest memory: We booked our 5D4N Phnom Penh and Seam Reap trip in a travel fair / expo with raesonable price and thought is it a popular trip but unfortunately 3 week before the departure date we were told if we can change our plan as only 4 of us who registered and the tour agency even couldn't joint us to other tourists from their other branches as the respond to Cambodia was not good. We do not want to change our plan as we really has set our mind looking forward to visit Cambodia, Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, the wonders of the world. We were told by the agency they would help us to make it a success though we have to pay more as only they would arrange for a trip for 4, yet to sacrify something on food quality. We were alright as long as the tour agency agreed to arrange hotel above 3 stars for us to enjoy good rest through out the trip and finally we make it with we add RM200 per pax. For us, it was very worthful because with additional RM800 for 4, we were actually enjoying a private trip with all events is set as per the original itinerary. We had a tour guide which I think well trained and very professional. ( Cambodian tour guides are all need to be in their uniform like a ranger, look smart and easy to identify ). Our tour guide speak good Mandarin and English. She gave enough introduction and explaination and we enjoy our travel to Cambodia. Through out the trip, a M Benz mini bus is arranged for us for our transportation and the driver Mr Jumripsu perform very well to let us enjoy a comfortable trip.
Updated Feb 26, 2012
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Favorite thing: The guide on board our bus from Saigon was great and spoke some English .
He took care of our Visa at the border.The cost was $25.00. I was surprised we didn't even need a picture.
As soon as we got on the bus he collected everyones Passport and $25.00. When we reached the Vietnam border we got off the bus and went through customs .The same thing on the Cambodian side.
Very easy .
Written Feb 16, 2011
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Favorite thing: Actually I met Ms. Naram Kang through Ms. Nara. They are colleagues. When I returned to Cambodia in March 2010, Ms. Nara was busy and so was Ms. Naram (it is common during the dry season when most of the tourists come). Naram was so thoughtful that she convinced her friend, Ms. Leakkhena (an accountant), to guide me on the first weekend of my trip to the remote sites of Sambor Prei Kuk, Beng Mealea, and Koh Ker. Later Naram took me to such places as the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, an evening riverboat ride on the Mekong, Phnom Tamao wildlife sanctuary, and Tonle Bati. She is very knowledgeable, speaks excellent English, and has extensive contacts since she is a busy, experienced guide. Besides that, she is a little crazy and fun to travel with! Her phone is +855-12-577-449 and her email is naramkang@yahoo.com. You will consider yourself very lucky to have had Naram as your guide. BTW, her nickname is "Mickey," like Mickey Kandol (mouse in Khmer, LOL).
Written Feb 7, 2011
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Favorite thing: Bring USD and you don't have to change it into Riel. Best is to take small USD notes and even buying simple things with dollar is no problem - in return you get back riel or dollar when value is higher.
Even ATM issue USD bank notes.
Not only Phanom Penh, they trade with dollar everywhere, even in remote place.
Fondest memory: But yes, I like to pay with local money when buying food and market stuff. After all, if they didn't need their own currency, why they would bother to print it.
There are exchange offices around many places in Phnom Penh, they all look the same like that one on the picture. Most of them are around Central market, and if you compare them... there are some differencies upon the exchange rates.
By the way, some things you would actually get lil cheaper if you paid in Riel. But the difference for you won't be that high.
Written Mar 10, 2010
Favorite thing: Please be aware that some establishments in Phnom Penh don't accept worn-out or old dollar bills (specially big denominations). The $100 we tried to use wasn't even old or wrinkled -- it was just folded and had a crease in the middle but it was still not accepted in King Guesthouse. Mekong Express accepted the bill but took note of its serial number. (for security reasons)
So when having your money changed, try to get new, unfolded bills.
Updated Nov 10, 2009
Favorite thing: The link below is for bits of info and links etc that didn't seem to fit in on any of my other pages, so just scroll down and you might see something that might help you with your holiday. I will always be adding to this page, so keep coming back.
Some of the included info is links for:
The Travel Doctor
Going Overseas! Register with the Department of Foreign Affairs
Australian Government's travel advisory and consular assistance service.
FX Currency Converter
Local Times Around The World
International Dialling Codes
World Newspapers Online
ATM Locator
International Driving Permits (Australian)
Australian Embassies, high commissions, consulates
Australian Passports
Click here for lots more info,
Written Mar 21, 2009
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Favorite thing: Make sure you take a few passport size photos with you, (one for your visa and one for your Angkor Wat pass, plus a spare, just in case!!
This info is for those arriving by plane. You will be given forms for your visa on the plane.
Its all very easy and only takes a few minutes, proceed to the counter with the very immaculately dressed, stony faced officials and away you go.
The visa on arrival is for a 30 day stay and will cost US$20.
You can also apply for a visa before you leave your home country through your travel agent, Royal Embassies and Consulates of Cambodia (but it will cost more) or apply online for an eVisa.
Cambodia Visa, Apply For Visa Online - Official Site,
Visa's on arrival are issued at Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap International Airport. Poi Pet, O'Smach and Cham Yeam at the Cambodia-Thailand international border checkpoint and Bavet, Kaam Samnor at the Cambodia-Vietnam international border checkpoint.
Visa fee: Business visa: US$25, Tourist visa: US$20.
Airport Tax
Don’t forget there is an airport tax of US$25 for International departures.
This tax is usually not included in the price of your ticket, so make sure that you have US$25 spare in cash when you are leaving, which is payable at the airport.
Domestic departures tax is US$10 from Phnom Penh and US$6 from Siem Reap.
International Gate Ways
Phnom Penh International Airport
Siem Reap International Airport
Sihanoukville Port (Visa on Arrival)
Airport Tax:
International Airport:
USD25
Domestic:
6USD
Telephone Country code: 855, Phnom Penh code: 23.
Markets are open from early morning to late evening, including Sundays and pubic holidays.
Written Mar 21, 2009
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Favorite thing: Most places you can use both USD and Cambodian Riel, so there is no need to change your entire amount of USD into Riel. Just be sure you have enough small USD notes.
The exchange rate was (November 2008) around 4000 Riel for 1 USD and everybody around the city seemed to know the rate.
I changed 25USD to Riel when I arrived in Phnom Penh, and it was too much in the local currency. 25USD was about 5-10cm of Riel notes – and impossible to close the wallet… First time I ever experienced this problem…
I used the ATM once at my hotel (Phnom Penh Hotel) and it gave me USD instead of Riel. I don’t know if it is common for all ATM’s in Phnom Penh?
Updated Dec 26, 2008
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Favorite thing: In Cambodian culture, you will no doubt come across statues and paintings depicting a beautiful woman in the form of what looks like a Goddess. In fact, she is. She is an Apsaras. So exactly who or what is an Apsaras? Apsarases are female spirits of the clouds and waters in Hindu and Buddhist religions. They are supernatural beings and they appear as young women of great beauty gifted with the art of dancing.
Written Apr 6, 2008
Favorite thing: Khmer culture is very hierarchical. The greater a person's age, the greater the level of respect that must be granted to them. Everyone in Khmer culture is given a hierarchical title before the name - in some cases names are shortened with the title added before the name is given - which varies in relation to the person. In some cases elders are referred to by a family title even though there is no relation, out of respect to their seniority in life. Referring to someone by the improper title is a sign of disrespect and would be assumed as improper parenting or a lack of respect for elders.
Written Apr 6, 2008
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Travel tips and advice posted by real travelers and Phnom Penh locals.
Khmer culture is very hierarchical. The greater a person's age, the greater the level of respect that must be granted to them. Everyone in Khmer culture is...
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