#urbanfamilyincambodia
We have just returned from a wonderful tour of Cambodia and Vietnam and I find myself with so much to report that it will take more than a single blog to describe. I’ll break it down into each city we visited……
We flew from Brisbane Australia to Siem Reap in Cambodia via Singapore. The flights are a bit of a mission but well worth it. We loved Siem Reap!
The country is still in recovery after many many years of civil war and all our guides were exceptionally keen to ensure we had a wonderful time and see the tourism industry as a way to grow and develop their local economy. They have a lot to offer tourists and they know it. They are embracing their ancient history while also being enthusiastic for the future after so long in the darkness of war and oppression.
Cambodia is still quite poor and the poverty is hard to reconcile with the luxury resorts they are building everywhere and the exchange rate of our western dollars.
In Siem Reap. US dollars are widely accepted so don’t bother with local currency - the exchange rate is currently $1USD = 4,082.56 Cambodian Riel.
Even the ‘expensive’ things were not expensive by comparison.
We spent 4 days in Siem Reap. Siem Reap is a great little town, with a range of delicious restaurants to suit every taste, boutique shops and day and night markets. There are a few lively bars and clubs around the suitably named Pub Street. Pub Street at night is a must, even if its to see the lights and soak up the atmosphere.
You can get a one-hour foot massage for $2USD. It felt almost criminal to accept but of course, we did this everyday. Feel free to tip although they don’t expect it. Go off pub street into smaller lanes for best price.
You can also dip your feet in the fish tanks for a bit of a clean, which costs about $2 as well. Its creepy and tickles but wow they do a good job. :)
Our itinerary included a visit Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, check out the local markets, visit the famous Phare circus, tour the Kompong Pluuk floating village (an eye opener for all of us, especially our kids) and get over the jet lag with the kids.
Check out the photos to see each of these amazing places.
Cambodian Visas can be organised online before you leave Australia at https://www.evisa.gov.kh/home
Once done, entry into Cambodia is really straight forward.
Flights
We flew Singapore Airlines from Brisbane to Singapore and then code share with Silk Air to Siem Reap. Return flights can vary in cost based on time of the year and days of the week so keep an eye out for good fares. We. paid around $5500 for 4 people (not including internal flights in Vietnam)
Accommodation
We stayed at he Seem Siem Reap Hotel. It is a small boutique hotel, which is what we like, and very comfortable. Staff were excellent and the pool was great for some down time and swim for the kids. http://www.saemsiemreaphotel.com
This will set you back about $75US a night for a double room. We also had connecting room for our kids who are 11 and 9 yrs old, which worked really well.
Food and Drinks
Food was a highlight for us in Siem Reap.
Definitely visit the Red Piano on Pub Street. Food was great and Cocktails were around $3-5 USD
Must try Cambodian chicken curry $5.50
Most meals in Siem Reap were $5-8 USD
The best street food was at Steven Corner BBQ
Non-alcoholic Drinks $1. Beers $1-2. FANTASTIC Meals $1-2
After our visit to the Floating Village we had a fabulous lunch at The Hut
Green Mango salad with beef, Fresh spring rolls (rice paper). Avg $5.50 per meal.
Food/restaurants outside the old market are cheap and traditional (think frog, crocodile) as well as chicken beef pork. Around $2-3USD
NB: food in restaurant attract VAT tax. Still reasonable by western standards but much more than street food.
Meals are quite decent serving size so tip to order a few meals to share. Food is cooked and delivered quickly so you can always order more if needed.
Ice cream rolls (bit like cold rock) 2 flavours to mix, 2 flavours for topping. $2.50. Big enough to share if you just want to taste.
Old Market/Shopping
All stalls have similar products. It is very cheap by western standards already however you can haggle to at least 50% or less of the original price.
To be honest, its mostly junk and imported from China, not made in Cambodia. Genuine Cambodian goods are expensive (silk and silver)
You can grab Tshirts at 3 for $5. Low quality but super cheap so who cares if you just need to stock up on souvenirs?
Food in the markets - fish and sausages/butcher, dried fruits and some unknown food thats smelly but interesting. Locals buy here.
Phare Circus
The Phare Cambodian Circus has an interesting story.
The seed of Phare Ponleu Selpak was planted in 1986, in the Site II Refugee Camp on the Thai-Cambodia border. In the camps, nine young Cambodians began taking drawing classes with Veronique Decrop, a french Humanitarian worker. The sessions worked as art therapy, allowing the children to express through art the emotions that they couldn’t put into words.
Two years later, in 1996, PPSA added music classes to its curriculum. In 1998, circus was added. Growing by leaps and bounds, the organization now offers classes in seven disciplines, as well as kindergarten, a library, and comprehensive support from trained social workers.
In a country where the artistic culture was destroyed through years of conflict, Phare Ponleu Selpak promotes a sense of Cambodian pride and identity.
The circus has no animals, is extremely entertaining and well worth the entry price
Section A (best front row seats) Adult (age 12+) : US$38 / Children (age 5-11) : $18
Next stop…….Hanoi Vietnam. xx
