Hi,

I'm visiting Cambodia end of this month. The route I will be taking is Phnom Penh - by bus - Battambang - by boat - Siem Reap.

Can anyone advise me on how's the weather like in Cambodia currently? Tonle Sap water levels good enough to take the boat?

Dont bother going to tonle sap...unless you want to be sap dried.

Where can I find this delicious mutton soup?
Can suggest me some nice places to eat in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh?

Not doing the tour, I'm transiting from Battambang to Siem Reap by boat

Worth a try, but I wanna try beef salad and fish amok.



No... no thanks

Would like to try the hot air balloon though

Sounds like a very bad experience

Gulp, my turn pulak

This post has been edited by gaeria84: Jul 4 2014, 05:47 PM

Can I ask how's the weather around late July to early August? Lots of rain?

I think pyjamas is a 2nd national costume....and travelling by bus takes too much time...I planned but cancelled and flew direct to Siem Reap instead. By pass Phnom Penh.

Battambang got no airport

wear pyjamas...jap slippers and LV handbags very heng over there.

Ok I wear only pajamas and thick powder makeup to blend in with the locals and get local rates

I see, I'm going during wet season

Taxi mahal

Tonle Sap is deeper than any Malaysian river man. deepest in SEA.
and cambodia is dry. 'nuf said

It's not Tonle Sap I'm worried about, but the Sangker river

raining season now....

this was yesterday. rain 1 hour already like that... rain continue for another 3 hour, whole town was flooded.



i am living in cambodia for the past 5 years already, some of the things people tell you here are over exaggerated but yes there are shitty times.

taxi is cheaper than tuk tuks for sure, they go on meters, all of them.

tuk tuk will chop you at every opportunity possible.

if in phnom penh can take taxi to the places of interest, not expensive and 24 hours.

some hotels are shitty and some are cheap and good, depend on which hotel you stay.

how many days will you be in phnom penh? if i am free might be able to bring you to some places to eat.

u work there or doing biz?

feel to go there have visit again..the pub girls sure pretty one

doing both, here life more easy and less complicated.

Sangker shouldn't be that deep. Cambodia is a dry country after all. Only Tonle Sap is something you should be afraid of.

This 22nd, I'll be in Phnom Penh setting up my new office. Anyone else in PP this time?

Wadafak, how I go jalan2 like that
End of this month... nvm la, duwan bother you

My only worry is that I won't be able to take the boat to Siem Reap from Battambang if the river water level is too low

Nope, I only go a few weeks later

oops, i lost track of the season there. didn't realize it's wet season now things change when you are no longer there, huh?
Try to avoid all water transport during rainy seasons. Pretty extreme season there. Dry until sand everywhere by the road, and when it rains....
the photo should show. and trust me when i say the rivers roar 75% of the time when it rains
and i agree with duckhole. taxi is the best over there if u do not know how to speak their language or dun look like them. they love to chop us off. Luckily for us, i had a stepcousin who looks like a local (coz she's half Cambodian) and a stepmum who really can argue and speak their language. somewhat well-known around the tuk tuk drivers there alredi

Taxi cheaper than tuktuk?

This post has been edited by gaeria84: Jul 5 2014, 06:16 PM

look at it this way la: local taxi here, some chop tourists off, some are really honest
over there: chop = tuk tuks, honest: taxi's

Any good place to cheong?

Oh ok... but if short distance, taxi cheaper or tuktuk cheaper?

Where indeed?

depends....some tuk tuks will chop u off still coz u r a tourist, some will just charge cheap coz it's so near.
i still recommend tuk tuks tho. The taxi use US dollars for meter.

Wait, so I can bring riel also?

tuk tuk drivers like any other taxi driver appreciate exact change.
but since u r tourist, they will probably say in USD anyways.
but just bring the riel together with u. not like it burdens ur wallet by 200%~

The weather is very hot. Don't eat the food at the hawker or stalls.
Couldn't also trust their bottled water, because it might have contaminated.
Last time I went there, I had diarrhea. But maybe it was just me because the other people in that group seems ok.

If you're muslim, there are few halal restaurant operated by the malay.
But still their food taste weird. I almost havent got the appetite to eat anything there.

short distance taxi also cheaper, taxi charge $1 -2 only for short distance.

tuk tuk see you tourist, they want at least $5

got many places to cheong lo, several places i usually bring my friends go when they do come visit

Meh, I will just rent a scooter then, but I heard they don't provide helmet

have la. but can buy own for $2-5 also have,

Ni dah macam India ni..

Ok. I think renting scooter is a cheaper option in Phnom Penh.

Cannot ride scooter in Siem Reap though

its hot ... do wear goretex material
dont forget to try cambodian pizza yo

i will visit siem reap this coming sunday wif gf. i hire a local tour guide to bring us around. hopefully things turn up alright >.<

I just back from Siem Reap last saturday. Trip was awesome but the weather very hot in the afternoon. Sky was clear in the mornings and usually showers/cloudy in the evening. Managed to catch nice sunrise on all 5 days when i was there.

Oh if you're planning to go to The Haven, please make booking ahead. It was fully booked 2days when i went there. Food there was awesome

This post has been edited by crayzee: Jul 7 2014, 04:48 PM

What's goretex?

Where can I find this delicious cambodian pizza?

Hotels got 'surcharge' one..

How many days?

Not going there for fine dining, but could check it out when I am there

Guys, will anyone be in Battambang on 31st?

This post has been edited by gaeria84: Jul 7 2014, 09:10 PM

It's not fine dining, just a restaurant. Foods are at reasonable prices. Try the Amok, it was very good. The pumpkin burger is damn good as well

You can check out the price here http://www.havencambodia.com/en/menu/our-menu/

This post has been edited by crayzee: Jul 8 2014, 11:56 AM

4 days 3 nites
just worry bout foods though as my gf tummy is very sensitive

This post has been edited by Leong Dei Prince: Jul 8 2014, 12:08 PM

Cambodia is a safe country, right?


Ok i am tempted
Got free apsara dance performance like temple bar?

Oh, i am just there for 3d 2n. Planning to do 3 day angkor tour?

no surcharge for taxi, they just help you call only.

cambodia is safe for non mat sallehs, cainis, melei, yindian all look like the locals here.

seldom get targeted unless you show off your shinies

you will need 1 full day from morning to night to visit majority of the temples in siem reap, around the angkor wat still got many temples and the old capitol city.

spend 1 more day in the cultural village and other places of interest there lo. cultural village got many shows, big one is before dinner time.

that was in the old days...

now they still have the pistols but don't simply shoot already, too notorious police always catch the next day. even the prime minister's ex bodyguard leader or something also get caught.

murders and such all is in the old days already, now civilized.

also you are a tourist there, a nobody, nobody want to fucuk with you also... IF you don't find fault with people in the first place.

Ni sudah macam cerita koboi ni

Cambodian police more efficient than our own PDRM, syukurlah cambodian

Moral of the story: Dun disco until late at night

R u sure this is a true story? Look more like own made story.
I been travel they at least 10 time, and taking tuk-tuk
not <30 time at nite, but no such thing happen.

Been to Cambodia last year. It's a great place to visit if you want to learn the history of the nation there, how the Khmer fell by Communists cruelty. I recommend you visit the Killing Field in PP.

Siem Reap is a beautiful place, away from the hassle of the big city. It's peaceful and I travel by bicycle only to discover the whole town. I guess you have planned all the place of interest over there to be visited so I won't talk into detail about that. If you want to take the tuk tuk, let the hotel you're staying arrange it for you. The price should be cheaper if you do it like that. There's a Malaysian owned curry house in Siem Reap (I forgot the name), visit it if you have the time to.

Safety in Cambodia is one thing that you should be concerned about. Beware, really beware of pickpockets. Like any other traveller would do, keep your cash in few places, don't bulk it all into your wallet. People there will look into any opportunity to dig out your cash from your pocket, be it by buying their souvenirs to even selling you marijuana by the side of the road. Just be extra careful.

And if you plan to cheong, I suggest just keep that little brother inside the pants and forget about it. Unless you have someone over there that really knows a good place to Cheong and you cannot tahan sangat dah, then only take the risk. Personal experience, Cheong price 20$(wah wah good price), I walked back home realizing 100 Ringgit (I have MYR still at that time just in case) was stolen, while my friend lost 200$ off his wallet. The trick is they put a cloth hanger just beside the door, the girl will hang your clothes for you over there, and when you syiok banging the girl (which they won't change position so that you won't be facing your clothes), someone from outside the room will sneak in and take your money. It sucks bad(both the sex & the loss) and I stopped cheonging ever since.

There's a Muslim village you might be interested to check out in Siem Reap. Muslims there can talk Malay very well (they say their religious teachers usually comes from Malaysia) and they're very helpful to show you around the places. Since Khmer people don't speak English much, and ppl at this village are the ones that I could talk to easily, I was very grateful for their assistance during my stay over there.

protip when go cheong and clubs, bring only the amount needed to cheong. +/- a little more just.

never bring wallet, just cash in pocket.

one of my friend actually woke up in some hotel not knowing what happened the night before, with no cash and phone, haha.

so always go in group if possible and bring cash just. either that or put the valuables in your pants and roll it up and put under the pillow you sleep, haha.

will be there from 12-15 Jul, solo trip, will be cycling around the temple.
Hope everything turn out fine.

I want to cycle also

But will only have 1 full day, plus I might want to go to Bantey Srei, so cycling is out of the question for now

Where can I find this delicious curry house?

Hi..please do share your experience after the travel

next years Jan I going solo backpacker style from siem reap > phnom penh > viet

If u plan to cycle there before sunrise or after sunset to come back, remember to bring torchlight or at least bike light as the road from temple to town dont have street lights. It's totally dark.

Here you go sir

http://www.tripadvisor.com.my/Restaurant_R...p_Province.html

There's a triple Gandhi face mural on one of the walls in the restaurant

If you have the chance, chat with the owner. He loves it when Malaysians come over

If you have some time to spare, stop over at battambang. You can enjoy bamboo train over there. It's something that you can't find anywhere else. And the scenery is super gooding. I was awed by it. Besides bamboo train, visit Phnom sampeu. At night, enjoy the circus show. Theirs circus show is performed by students and the proceed from the show goes to them as well. Besides the show, you may opt to have buffet dinner at the circus compound. Food is nothing to shout about, but the little $$ we give them goes a long way.

Ok, will do

I memang stopping over in Battambang, and plan to do all 3, plus gonna try the coffee at Kinyei

torch light, checked.

thanks for reminding me, i think i need to bring extra battery as well.

Not going Luang Prabang and Vientiane in Laos?

How long is your trip black pen?

Let me know how's the weather there ya

This was not happen alone in PP, was happen in Chow Kit as well, pls refer to mamakspecial

nope..from Siem reap > Phonm Penh > Ho chi minh all the way up to Hanoi..Duration 1 month +-

This post has been edited by BlackPen: Jul 10 2014, 08:35 PM

I going Hanoi end of this year, maybe can meet up?

I travel period start form 7th Jan 2014

already reach hanoi why not continue to ho chi minh?

I go Ho chi minh first then travel by bus all the way up to Hanoi the bus will stop at few destination (the more stop the more expensive) choose the place you like to stop and backpack few days

For example; The route with the most segments takes you from Ho Chi Minh City (A) -> Mui Ne (B) -> Da Lat © -> Nha Trang (D) -> Hoi An (E) -> Hue (F) -> Hanoi (G). You can stop by at all of these locations

This post has been edited by BlackPen: Jul 10 2014, 09:03 PM

He mentioned HCM d mar

Fuh, you got so much time, so jelly

Do it when you have time once start work can't do such long travel

When got time, no money. When got money, no time.

dunwan to take the train? anyway have a good time . you will love the experience. I took sleeper bus from seam reap to phnom Penh took me 13 hrs.

ya Kah? didn't noticed.

SR to PP 13 hours so long?
Btw, they got night bus in Cambodia?

This post has been edited by gaeria84: Jul 11 2014, 08:46 AM

try to learn speak khmer u might can nego alot.

Arkun

arun suasedey.. lol

weather forecast, everyday rain rain rain!!!

I want to buy toys/gifts for the children there, any suggestions?

Bring umbrella

yup. I took the night bus.left about 8.00pm.reach PP at 9am. sleeper bus seat very keras one.lol. you will also get to smell macam2 "aroma" especially if you are at the lower level.

Can tell me what bus company? Is it Capitol or Sorya?
Would like to give this a try

This post has been edited by gaeria84: Jul 11 2014, 12:35 PM

if like that


umbrella, raincoat also no use

Won't rain whole day la, go enjoy your trip

sorry I can't remember how much and what company I booked it through my hotel - Tanei Guesthouse

Ah I see. I heard you can't choose your bus company if you book through the hotel.
I'm trying to avoid Sorya cause got many bad reviews

actually you can. mine has a list of bus company with its listed availability (pickup time). I went for the most expensive one. but then looking at the condition, i dunno which part is worth the price I pay.

Those that charge cheaper; I cannot imagine how the bus condition is gonna be

That's good to hear

Heard Cambodia bus service is very bad, I thought Thai buses were terrible, I can't imagine how bad Cambodia buses must be..

Gonna book Capitol bus, they seem a bit better

This post has been edited by gaeria84: Jul 11 2014, 04:39 PM

Second day here, still survive.

Yesterday arrived around 8am local time, siem reap welcome me with a very nice weather. But after a while, it getting very very hot. After my brunch around 11am, it suddenly rain! But....only for 1mins

So got a bike and proceed to the temples. After angkor wat i proceed to bayon, it suddenly pour....raining cats n dogs.... luckily there's hut right beside, so i just turn in and wait there.
After 5 mins, rain stop.... So continue go in bayon, and it start to rain again.....
So i just walk walk look look inside while waiting for the rain to stop again....
After 10 min rain stop, and i continua the rest of my visit until 4pm+.... No more rain after that.

Second day, this morning.... Rush to the temple at 4:30am, sunrise and do the grand circle.... Damn kau hot i tell u, i feel my arms got sun burn by... 10am....
I finish my big circle by 1pm.....and thought i can visit some temples in small circle.... But really cannot.... Too hot, exhausted.... Arms burning...Watson's sunscreen fail...
On my way back, i see the road is wet....i think it rain along the way to angkor wat.

Tomorrow? Hopefully sunny weather lo...and also nice sunrise, pls....

One thing to take note, it's very dusty here......even after rain.... Bring ur mask with u

Ok, nice to know got some sunny days

Ok, 3rd day, last day here. drizzling a little bit during sunrise, and then cloudy and then drizzling and then cloudy until i finish my small circle at 1130am, thought still early, so i go explored further more, to the village and some other places.... End up became wet chicken...it start pouring during 1230pm at god know where... Luckily I have raincoat with me

And it keep on drizzling and raining the whole day...

Rain is very common there. Yes, it won't rain long but it will flooded if heavy rain at the border uphill. The water flowing down from the Thai border. This is according to the local people who I spoken to and also my driver.

Another possibility of the flooding is because it was just beside Tonle Sap Lake.

the water very smelly wan. full of rubbish. better avoid from it. miss my day when im doing my intership there. lol

Please share your story later, i have plan to go there on Octo...

Btw, just ask.

That welcome to angkor sign, how far is it from town? Is it before the angkor entrance checkpoint or after?

This post has been edited by gaeria84: Jul 17 2014, 08:20 PM

it's after the check point, 4-5km from town kua... i cycle for about 20mins