Itinerary review for Vietnam & Cambodia please?
Jun 10th, 2014, 08:53 PM
#21
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Can I jump in with a couple of suggestions. We have had excellent luck with AirBnB. Just be careful that you pick hosts who don't ask for your life history and sign in through your email. As far as Siem Reap goes, may I recommend a struggling driver? His name is Sokna Lao. Email [email protected]. He is scupulously honest and has taken very good care of everyone we have referred. There are so many tour companies that the little guys get lost in the shuffle. He is just one guy on his own trying to support his family.
Jun 11th, 2014, 07:21 AM
#22
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Struggling driver? Please most of them would be.
I find it fun to read reviews for hotels but 2 hours can slip by and sometimes you end up more confused.
Asia is easy to explore and make it up as you go. No need to book hotels more than 2 nights ahead.
I wouldnt have a rigid plan. Book a couple of flights and the first 2 nights and that is it.
Follow your instincts on the ground rather than some boring checklist.
I find it fun to read reviews for hotels but 2 hours can slip by and sometimes you end up more confused.
Asia is easy to explore and make it up as you go. No need to book hotels more than 2 nights ahead.
I wouldnt have a rigid plan. Book a couple of flights and the first 2 nights and that is it.
Follow your instincts on the ground rather than some boring checklist.
Jun 11th, 2014, 06:16 PM
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Prachuap, let me remind you that we all have different preferences for how we travel and that is a good thing. We try not to tell people how to travel here, but give them information and suggestions and let them choose.
Jun 11th, 2014, 11:24 PM
#26
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Keep the length of time you allow for PP and SR up your sleeve for the moment.
Imo there's not much point in visiting PP unless you go to the Killing Fields(KF) and S21. Both are easily doable in a morning, with an 0900 pick-up by tuk tuk from your hotel. Most hotels will have a few tuk tuks outside. Offer about US$15 for the day (0900-1500ish).
The ride to the KF from central PP will take about 50 minutes. The traffic will be quite heavy, part of the trip will cover dusty roads, so wear a mask over your mouth and nose. It's an interesting trip, so have your camera handy.
Despite what the KF are all about, the place is very tastefully presented. The ticket includes an an audio guide, which will take you to all the points (19 I think). As soon as you turn on the audio you will be completely immersed, and you can take as long or as little time to work your way round. There's a museum to finish off with. I'd allow 2 hours there.
The tuk tuk back into PP to visit S21 takes about 40 minutes. S21 is very raw and harrowing. It's not tastefully presented, but that's the way it's intended. There's a film shown at 1100 and 1500 daily.
After S21 have lunch, it's only a short distance in your tuk tuk to the Russian Market.
Then, tuk tuk back to your hotel, perhaps taking in Central Market on the way Pay the driver, plus a couple of $ tip.
After you've freshened up, and before you decide on your dinner venue, a good place to go to chill for a couple of hours is the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) for their Happy Hour between 1700-1900. It's v.popular, so get there a few minutes before 1700, and grab a seat on the 2nd floor balcony, with views along the river and watching to the traffic mayhem below on Sisowath Quay.
Keep your eye on Trip Advisor for the best way to get from PP to SR. Apparently it's been slow-going recently by road due to road improvements, but recent posting on TA aren't too bad.
While flying is obviously much quicker, you need to allow an hour to get to PP airport, as depending on the time of your flight the roads could be v.busy. You'll also need to allow plenty of time to check-in with a bit of slack added. The flight takes 45 minutes plus taxiing time, and you'll have to allow probably an hour from hitting the tarmac to arriving at your hotel. So that's about 5 hours in total. During that time what will you have seen of Cambodia? Nothing!
The bus, on the other hand, takes between 6-7 hours. You'll have a couple of comfort stops plus about 40 minutes for lunch. It's an interesting trip, and you'll see all the action along the way. The best company to use for that trip is Giant Ibis. Here's their website...
http://www.giantibis.com/
If you've only got a couple of days in PP then it's best to book online.
Imo there's not much point in visiting PP unless you go to the Killing Fields(KF) and S21. Both are easily doable in a morning, with an 0900 pick-up by tuk tuk from your hotel. Most hotels will have a few tuk tuks outside. Offer about US$15 for the day (0900-1500ish).
The ride to the KF from central PP will take about 50 minutes. The traffic will be quite heavy, part of the trip will cover dusty roads, so wear a mask over your mouth and nose. It's an interesting trip, so have your camera handy.
Despite what the KF are all about, the place is very tastefully presented. The ticket includes an an audio guide, which will take you to all the points (19 I think). As soon as you turn on the audio you will be completely immersed, and you can take as long or as little time to work your way round. There's a museum to finish off with. I'd allow 2 hours there.
The tuk tuk back into PP to visit S21 takes about 40 minutes. S21 is very raw and harrowing. It's not tastefully presented, but that's the way it's intended. There's a film shown at 1100 and 1500 daily.
After S21 have lunch, it's only a short distance in your tuk tuk to the Russian Market.
Then, tuk tuk back to your hotel, perhaps taking in Central Market on the way Pay the driver, plus a couple of $ tip.
After you've freshened up, and before you decide on your dinner venue, a good place to go to chill for a couple of hours is the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) for their Happy Hour between 1700-1900. It's v.popular, so get there a few minutes before 1700, and grab a seat on the 2nd floor balcony, with views along the river and watching to the traffic mayhem below on Sisowath Quay.
Keep your eye on Trip Advisor for the best way to get from PP to SR. Apparently it's been slow-going recently by road due to road improvements, but recent posting on TA aren't too bad.
While flying is obviously much quicker, you need to allow an hour to get to PP airport, as depending on the time of your flight the roads could be v.busy. You'll also need to allow plenty of time to check-in with a bit of slack added. The flight takes 45 minutes plus taxiing time, and you'll have to allow probably an hour from hitting the tarmac to arriving at your hotel. So that's about 5 hours in total. During that time what will you have seen of Cambodia? Nothing!
The bus, on the other hand, takes between 6-7 hours. You'll have a couple of comfort stops plus about 40 minutes for lunch. It's an interesting trip, and you'll see all the action along the way. The best company to use for that trip is Giant Ibis. Here's their website...
http://www.giantibis.com/
If you've only got a couple of days in PP then it's best to book online.
Jun 12th, 2014, 04:06 AM
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Phnom Penh offers a lot more than depressing money making museums who are cashing in on death. There is a range of tours one can do plus Kymer boxing which is like muay thai. You could spend a week there.
Jun 12th, 2014, 04:25 AM
#28
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Killing Fields...
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attract...hnom_Penh.html
And S21 Genocide Museum...
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attract...hnom_Penh.html
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attract...hnom_Penh.html
And S21 Genocide Museum...
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attract...hnom_Penh.html
Jun 12th, 2014, 06:25 AM
#29
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Thanks for the ideas LancasterLad! 
I do plan on visiting the KF and S21. You make a good point about taking the bus instead of flying, I'm just always so leery of buses (outside of cities) because often roads are iffy and you end up with a bus load of motion sick people and the trip that should take 6 hours ends up taking closer to 8-9 somehow. I'll definitely look into Giant Ibis, I know I've seen them recommended quite a bit on multiple sites. I might keep an eye on flights and keep an eye on TA for comments on the road as it gets much closer to time and make a decision at that point.
If I hire a tuk tuk for the day, what is the polite thing to do about lunch? I often eat at strange times or I eat a granola bar as I go. Does that mean that the tuk tuk driver wouldn't get a chance to eat at a normal time or would they likely have a lunch with them or be able to pick something up while they waited at KF or S21? Is it polite to ask the driver if he wants to eat with me or would that possibly put him in an awkward position for some reason?
<<<Phnom Penh offers a lot more than depressing money making museums who are cashing in on death.>>>
Of course! However, those places are similar to the concentration camps and memorials in Europe. You don't go because it's fun, you go because it's important recent history that has changed the shape of a nation and it's people. History makes more sense and makes more of a lasting impact when you can actually see the places. I visited a concentration camp 14 years ago and I still get the chills remembering it. We couldn't have fit two average sized high school boys in a bunk bed frame, but there was a photo of three emaciated men in that same bed frame. It's a different feeling to have walls actually surrounding you rather than just seeing a photo of that. The more people understand (and are horrified by) the past, the better chance we have of trying to prevent a repeat in the future. It's easy to say "that can't happen, nobody is that evil, these are good people and they wouldn't do that" but it can happen because it has happened.
<<<Kathie on Jun 11, 14 at 9:16pm
Prachuap, let me remind you that we all have different preferences for how we travel and that is a good thing. We try not to tell people how to travel here, but give them information and suggestions and let them choose.
Prachuap on Jun 12, 14 at 1:02am
That is what I am doing.>>>
You can come across as very "do it this way, not that way. That way is touristy junk, dirty, a boring checklist" etc. I really appreciate your advice and a different perspective on some of the things suggested, but in lacking face and voice the tone can come across as rude even if it's not intended that way.
I do plan on visiting the KF and S21. You make a good point about taking the bus instead of flying, I'm just always so leery of buses (outside of cities) because often roads are iffy and you end up with a bus load of motion sick people and the trip that should take 6 hours ends up taking closer to 8-9 somehow. I'll definitely look into Giant Ibis, I know I've seen them recommended quite a bit on multiple sites. I might keep an eye on flights and keep an eye on TA for comments on the road as it gets much closer to time and make a decision at that point.If I hire a tuk tuk for the day, what is the polite thing to do about lunch? I often eat at strange times or I eat a granola bar as I go. Does that mean that the tuk tuk driver wouldn't get a chance to eat at a normal time or would they likely have a lunch with them or be able to pick something up while they waited at KF or S21? Is it polite to ask the driver if he wants to eat with me or would that possibly put him in an awkward position for some reason?
<<<Phnom Penh offers a lot more than depressing money making museums who are cashing in on death.>>>
Of course! However, those places are similar to the concentration camps and memorials in Europe. You don't go because it's fun, you go because it's important recent history that has changed the shape of a nation and it's people. History makes more sense and makes more of a lasting impact when you can actually see the places. I visited a concentration camp 14 years ago and I still get the chills remembering it. We couldn't have fit two average sized high school boys in a bunk bed frame, but there was a photo of three emaciated men in that same bed frame. It's a different feeling to have walls actually surrounding you rather than just seeing a photo of that. The more people understand (and are horrified by) the past, the better chance we have of trying to prevent a repeat in the future. It's easy to say "that can't happen, nobody is that evil, these are good people and they wouldn't do that" but it can happen because it has happened.
<<<Kathie on Jun 11, 14 at 9:16pm
Prachuap, let me remind you that we all have different preferences for how we travel and that is a good thing. We try not to tell people how to travel here, but give them information and suggestions and let them choose.
Prachuap on Jun 12, 14 at 1:02am
That is what I am doing.>>>
You can come across as very "do it this way, not that way. That way is touristy junk, dirty, a boring checklist" etc. I really appreciate your advice and a different perspective on some of the things suggested, but in lacking face and voice the tone can come across as rude even if it's not intended that way.
Jun 12th, 2014, 07:14 AM
#30
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@Iowa<<<If I hire a tuk tuk for the day, what is the polite thing to do about lunch? I often eat at strange times or I eat a granola bar as I go. Does that mean that the tuk tuk driver wouldn't get a chance to eat at a normal time...>>>
I wouln't worry about the tuk tuk man. He'll have the chance to eat something while you're in the KF or S21. We went straight from S21 to the Russian Market, then to the food courts in the Sorya Centre, and paid the tuk tuk man.It was then only a short walk back to our hotel (Billabong).
Freshen-up, swim, and then head for the Happy Hour at the FCC.
The Giant Ibis bus is very comfortble, and will be full of people doing exactly the same as you. There's no toilet on the bus, but the bus stops 3 times enroute. Personally, I'd rather not have a loo on a tourist bus, as they inevitably get dirty and pong v.quickly.
I wouldn't bother with a taxi either, as the road between PP and SR is v.busy, there's no physical divide down the centre of the road, and the driving standards are typical SE Asia, So the bigger the vehicle you're in the safer you'll feel.
I wouln't worry about the tuk tuk man. He'll have the chance to eat something while you're in the KF or S21. We went straight from S21 to the Russian Market, then to the food courts in the Sorya Centre, and paid the tuk tuk man.It was then only a short walk back to our hotel (Billabong).
Freshen-up, swim, and then head for the Happy Hour at the FCC.
The Giant Ibis bus is very comfortble, and will be full of people doing exactly the same as you. There's no toilet on the bus, but the bus stops 3 times enroute. Personally, I'd rather not have a loo on a tourist bus, as they inevitably get dirty and pong v.quickly.
I wouldn't bother with a taxi either, as the road between PP and SR is v.busy, there's no physical divide down the centre of the road, and the driving standards are typical SE Asia, So the bigger the vehicle you're in the safer you'll feel.
Jun 12th, 2014, 03:45 PM
#32
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Iowa, I have a bit different perspective than LL on the tuk-tuk drivers and lunch. This will likely not be much of an issue in PP, as you sight-seeing day will likely not be a full day, but in Siem Reap, I suggest you consider the traditional sight-seeing schedule where you take a long break at mid-day. It's hot hot hot and mid-day is the main meal of the day for these people. We always were out before 7 - sometimes as early as 6, back to our hotel at noon, then back to the temples at 3 or 4 for the late afternoon. Mornings and afternoons are best for photos and are not quite as terribly hot. A mid-day break for yourself and your driver is a good idea.
Do watch the flight prices - you can often get cheap tickets between PP and SR.
Do watch the flight prices - you can often get cheap tickets between PP and SR.
Jun 12th, 2014, 11:58 PM
#33
Glad you didn't cut PP. We didn't actually pursue the Tuol Sleng and Killing Field activities. (just not the sort to absorb those things well and be ready to bounce back to normal activities and I've read a lot on the subject). But enjoyed PP all the same, just for absorbing urban Cambodia. Couldn't tell you how we managed to use up our time, really, but we did. Definitely check out the FCC. We stayed in a room there which was a lot of fun
