Cambodia itinerary advice and luggage storage?
 

Hi all!

I am in Siem Reap and purchased too many souvenirs, some slightly fragile. Do you have any advice on where to buy a cheap wheeling suitcase??

I am still planning on going to Battambang, Phnom Penh, Kampot, and Koh Rong, and am worried about managing an extra suitcase particularly as I have heard a lot of theft stories, and will need to take buses to access certain areas around cambodia. I just need to be in Bangkok in 12 days. Do you have any advice on where I can store luggage in siem reap or phnom penh?

Cambodia itinereary suggestions post-siem reap would be great as well if you'd like to share any favorites :)

FYI - My itinerary as planned is to fly to Sihannoukville from siem reap

Sihanoukville -> Koh Rong, stay for 2 nights
Maybe 1 night sihanoukville
2 nights kampot/kep
3 nights phnom penh
fly or bus back to siem reap and stay one night
siem reap -> Battambang, stay for 2 nights
back to siem reap, pick up luggage and fly to Bangkok

And if there is anything you'd suggest eliminating out it would be fantastic haha

Your best bet would be to ask your guesthouse/ hotel in SR to store your bags. Whether they are trustworthy or not is anyone's guess!

We just left Cambodia didn't find the buses that bad but we were maybe just lucky. An alternative would be to take a car from place to place if you want to pay for it. It was $40 PP - Kampot. Battambang to SR. we were quoted $90 - so we got the bus $6.

It would make more sense to go from PP to Battambang - $ 12 on the Mekong Express VIP bus - very nice.

Really liked Kampot and stayed at Rikitikitavi which was great, right on the river. It is easy to do a day trip to Kep including some sights along the way, salt fields, pepper plantations etc. The best thing about Kep was the crab market - apart from that not a lot else. We also took a sunset cruise up the river from Kampot which was enjoyable.

Battambang is a pleasant town but most of the sights are outside, temples, the killing caves and, of course the Bamboo train.

I wouldn't bother with Sihanoukville unless you are looking to party but may be unavoidable for transit purposes.

Agree about Sihanoukville. Also, is it the wrong time of year to go by boat from SR to Battambang? Even if it is, I would be inclined to go SR - Battambang - Kampot and not go back to SR from PP.

Very helpful! i didnt know there was a bus from pp to battambang, thats perfect. Any advice on koh rong? the fast boat?

I'm curious, travelmiss -- what souvenirs did you buy in Siem Reap? We're headed that way in a few days, and I'm thinking about what to bring home for friends and family...

Cheers,
Annettetx

Hi Annettetx - there are a ton of NGOs and social enterprises in cambodia and I bought most of my souvenirs from the shops in alley near pub street, great jewelry and clothing. I bought a set of bowls and a teapot and some other things from thevery affordable Ceramics shop - they have fantastic lessons as well where you work one on one with a cambodian guide and can learn about the work they do. Artisans of Angkor also has tours and beautiful souvenirs, but they are expensive. If you go to the circus (a fantastic NGO itself and a jaw-dropping impressive show!!) their gift shop sells great products made from local organizations as well.

If you must, (and I could'nt help it!) Don't spend more than $3 on the ubiquitous "elephant pants" and t-shirts and hammocks you will see everywhere.

AnnetteTX- Travelmiss is spot on about the NGOs (a bunch of them in PP too!) great stuff, and helping a cause.

My mother and I went a little crazy at the Artisans D'Angkor showroom and spent a bit over $500USD on 6 beautiful pieces and shipping back to the US. Quality is SUPERB. I highly recommend it (the box even beat us home- they quoted 5-6 weeks, and it was there in under 10 days!)