There was a peculiar dodge used by several young Cambodian children in Siem Riep and around the temples. They would approach us and initiate a conversation, quickly suggesting that if they could name the capitol of a given state that I should give them a dollar. They would of course pick the state, but not neccessarily and easy one. For instance, one enterprising child suggested that he could name the capitol of Maine. I am interested in how this type of interaction would evolve. For the record, I did play along and gave each the opportunity to earn a dollar if they knew the capitol of Kentucky. None did. Bob, it's Frankfurt.

I found that when they asked where people were from, they shouted out the state capitol. (There was no dollar involved.) We chatted and quizzed them on capitols. The one they all knew was California...

Andy, hopefully I am not hijacking this thread to ask if you brought anything with you for the Cambodian children - school supplies, candy, $1 bills - what do you think is best, if anything?

C-Don't worry about hijacking this or any other thread, all's fair etc.

At the suggestion of Ponheary, we brought some scool supplies, crayons, coloring books and the like. She indicated that she would be taking them to an out of way village the day after we left. We thought it was a bit peculiar that we were not present when the goods were conveyed, but we figured that someone was going to get to use the supplies regardless of who.

For a 3 day trip, we brought 50 dollar bills, 10 $5's and 10 $10's in addition to $1200 in twenties. Almost all the small bills got used. The majotity of the twenties we spent went to Ponheary for the hotel and her services. There were several hundred in twenties left. My memory is that you're staying in more expensive accomodations than we and therefore you will need more twenties. I'm sure you can do the math.

One wonders whether the children know the European capitols or whether they get to hear US capitols.

Gpanda:
Did the places you ate in SR take credit cards or did you just pay cash? Also the laundromat you mentioned earlier...is it a do yourself or does someone do the laundry for you? How much did it cost? Thanks!
Aloha!

We encountered some children around the temples with the same good humoured and highly enterprising approach. They were trying to sell us some bracelets and bags and really we had bought as many as we could from other children at other temples not so much because we wanted what they had to sell but just to buy some things off them. When it became clear that actually we were not going to buy from this particular girl she said we could give her a dollar if she could name the capital of our country and yes quick as a flash she said it was Edinburgh. She duly got her dollar and her face lit up. It then transpired that other children knew too. It turned out to be a nice way to spread a little bit of money around and have some happy encounters. And, yes it seemed that they were well clued up about European capitals.

When I was there in 2001, the kids weren't that enterprising. Kudos to them. At least that beats just sticking your handout for $.

Now I am going to run to a US High School and start asking some of those kids state capitals.

"Now I am going to run to a US High School and start asking some of those kids state capitals."

capitols

The relevant Cambodian kids are 8-10 years old. You should "run" to a US Elementary School. Good luck.

Also, I'm glad you self-corrected the spelling. It gives me confort to see that I'm not the only pedantic poster.

Gpanda, did Ponheary book your flights and hotel too? What hotel you stayed at?

If you book her for a 3-day trip, will she be your guide all the time, day and night, and will she take you everywhere you want to go?

Is SR a small town, so anywhere you stay you're pretty much close to major attaractions?

I'm trying to put together all the details and reservations for SR.

Thanks!

We paid cash at all the restaurants. I had broght enough and it seemed simpler. Also, I actually wanted to deplete my cash supply. No need to scurry around with extra cash.

The laundry is done for you. It's ready in the evening, if you get it there early and the next day if you bring it in later. We've not done our own laundry on vacation since I caused an international incident while attempting this in Paris. Something about the seeming discrepancy between French Vending Machines and common sense. It was not a pretty scene. only the intervention of an ex-pat averted the calling of the Gendarmes.

Have I entered some parallel American spelling universe? Do you really spell capital as in capital city as capitol over there?

Kippy-you're exactly right. The city that is the seat of government is the capital and the building in which the government sits is the capitol. I'm claiming jet lag.

I came into this late. Could you fill me in on Ponheary. Is she a freelance guide? How would I contact her? We will be in Siem Reap the beginning of February. Has anyone stayed at the Apsara or Three Nagas or Monsoon? I'd like clean and charming and friendly. Not crazy about big, impersonal hotels in general. Someone also recommended taking toothbrushes and toothpaste. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Phew, glad we got that sorted out. I have enough problems converting $ to £ when reading these posts without thinking I've lost the spelling plot too! When I get a chance to write my trip report you are very welcome to proof read! I won't be able to claim jet lag as we got back to UK a few weeks ago although with Christmas and New Year only returned to home a few days ago.

Kippy-I guess you're not aware of the late fee charged when writing reports more than one month after your return? It's computed by taking the total number of miles travelled, adding the total cost of the airfare in Baht, dividing by the number of kilometers travelled in Asia and adding 4. This yields the daily amount of the fine in Euros.

I have some travellers cheques here left over from a trip to Sri Lanka two years ago (during LBF - LIFE BEFORE FODORS) which I never got round to using in Thailand - but they are in US dollars. Will they do or will I have to start saving my pennies? I could try claiming some dispensation for poor internet connection due to bad weather and inability to convert £ to Euro through lack of practice.

Your keen observation concerning the spelling will permit payment in US dollars, but at an extremely unfavorable rate. Naturally, change will be given in Kip.

Gpanda, did you see my questions to you about Ponheary?

Versus-sorry, got lost in irrelevant minutiae and missed the primary function.

In answer to your questions, No, Ponheary did not book our flights. We got a Discovery Pass by calling Bangkok Air and pre-paying for three legs. Bkk-SR, Sr-BKK and Phuket-BKK. When you do this, they charge $80 per international leg and $50 per domestic leg. Even with taxes, this is just slightly more than the BKK-SR round trip by itself.

We stayed at the Prince D'Angkor for $90 per night. Ponheary arranged this for us through a travel agent friend of hers. It was a good hotel, with a great pool. There are better hotels, e.g., Sofitel and Victoria, but for more money. Plus, you're going to be spending most of your time out templing about.

SR is small, but walking around anywhere except the Old Market area is unpleasant. Tuk tuks cost $1.

Ponheary will be your guide the whole time. However, she is clearly a part of a group including her brother and sister and if an emergency arises, she may get someone to cover. My sense is that this is a rare occasion.

Bring lots of US $1 bills and $20 bills.