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Published: November 12th 2009
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Phnom Bakheng
at sunset so many people We decided to go to Cambodia the cheaper way from Shenzhen only $250 USD roundtrip from Shenzhen to Bangkok(3hr flight). Other option was to fly from Hong Kong to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, but we both flew cheaper than what the cost of one ticket would have been direct to Cambodia.
We flew from Shenzhen, China at 11:20pm on Nov. 3rd to Bangkok, Thailand arrived around 1:40am on Nov. 4th, got through customs and exchanged money by 3am, in a taxi to the Morchit Bus Terminal by 3:05am, boarded the 3:30am bus(freezing from the AC) to Aranyaprathet, Thailand/Poipet, Cambodia border crossing, arrived at 7:40am and crossed into Cambodia by 8:30am. What a crazy night and not a lot of good sleep.
Many travel blogs advised this is a SHADY area and to be aware, so we were well advised of what to do and what NOT to do at this land crossing border. We were greeted by a man that wanted to know where we were going and offered a free bus ride to the taxi stand. I was suspicoius at first but it ended up being ok. They take foreigners to a legit taxi stand and only
charge per person for the 2 hr taxi ride to Siem Reap from the border crossing. We met another guy from Germany while in line trying to exit Thailand(long lines at 8am when the border crossing opens at 7am) so we shared the taxi with him. It was $12/person for 4 people but we only had 3 so we paid $16/person. Not bad since all the blogs said it would be a $60 cab ride to Siem Reap and we only paid $32.
Strange thing about Cambodia you ONLY need USD yes US Dollars. Don't exchange your money cause it is a bad exchange rate. They accept it more places that the Cambodian Riel, even prices all around the country are in USD. We arrived in Siem Reap around 11:30am, got a free Tuk Tuk ride to our hostel and were checked into our hostel, Watsup Guesthouse, by 11:50am. The room had a fan, AC, TV, and bathroom for $20/night. We slept for about 2 hours then ventured out to check email and get on Facebook. We go through with drawls since it is BLOCKED in China.
Tuk Tuk is the way to go in Siem
Reap to get around we hired Sak who took us to our hostel for the next 3 days to take us around to the temples and we even got him for the evening we arrived as he suggested we go to the temples at 5pm you go get in for free to see sunset. The 1 day pass is $20, 3 day pass is $40, and 1 week pass is $60. So we got the 3 day pass for $40/person and got an extra sunset temple viewing for free the first night in town.
Sak was good at English, helped us plan our temple visits out and was very informative. If you go to Siem Reap you can book him by email: tepchansak_love@yahoo.com We told him we would post his info to spread the word for business. He charged us based on our route. Day 1 evening was $6, Day 2 was $12, Day 3 was $30 cause we went FAR away and the last day was $15 with sunrise at Angkor Wat.
When we went to the sunset at Phnom Bakheng we were mobbed by poverty stricken children to buy bracelets, books, paintings, magnets(we bought), water, etc.
This is something to be aware of if you travel to the temples, it happens at them all and you get sick of them asking for you to buy all their stuff but it is saddening to see these children not in school and on the streets(huge problem in Cambodia). We saw an elephant giving rides to people up the hill, wild monkeys on the way to the temple, lots of monks, and a beautiful sunset. Oh yeah lots of English spoken in Cambodia, major plus.
What an exciting first day in Cambodia!!!!
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Mom
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Cambodia
Sounds like luck was on your side again...found an excellent tour guide/bike driver" and had another good time!!!! " In the middle of the night, you two are up and going some places that some might not dare in the daylight!!!!