It's 2016 and my quota for travel that year was still unused so quickly I planned. After annual meeting with my "Geng Shrek" (which consist of Fizah, Lina, Kayrie, Miss Yar & Cik Hah), we decided to visit Siem Reap or more specific one of 7 Wonders of the World, The Angkor Watt. That was one in my wishlist so definitely I was so excited. Since Fizah and hubby already visited Cambodia before, so they were not joining us this time. However we got additional members who wanted to join us this time, Mass & her mama.
But as ussual, before I bring you deeper into my travelogue, herewith I share some of the info / tips and preparations before going there.
i) When to go / Weather
When you already decided for where to go, obviously the next decision taken is WHEN.
Cambodia has two seasons — wet and dry. The wet season is from May to October while the dry season is from November to April.
March to May are the hottest months with an average temperature of around 29°C. Avoid these months because the heat and dust can be oppressive. September or October aren’t ideal either because those are the wettest months. Flash flooding is a frequent occurrence, making travel difficult. November to February is the most popular time to go because it’s the coolest and driest time of the year. However, it’s also the most crowded. Prices tend to spike at this time as well.
For a good balance of weather and number of tourists, June-August is said to be the most ideal. The rain keeps things cooler and less dusty, the landscape is more green, the temple moats are filled, and there are fewer tourists. Rainy season isn’t in full swing yet, with the rain coming in it seems at a scheduled time daily which is early in the afternoon and again at night.
After discussed with all the team members, based on availability of all we decided to visit Siem Reap on March 2016. Somemore like I always mentioned in my previous post, one of our member is a school teacher, so we needed to find the date during school holiday. We had travel mostly on rainy season, this time let's see how summer treated us. :D
ii) Flight Tickets
As we already decided when to travel, next was to buy the flight tickets.
There are 2 major airports located in Cambodia, which are Phnom Penh and Siep Reap International Airport. Obviously if you wanted to see Angkor Watt, Siem Reap is the place, anyway for those who wanted to shop especially silk material (as it is quite famous there), you may go to Phnom Penh. Some travelers prefer to visit these 2 cities, probably landed to Phnom Penh, spent 2 days there. After that take a bus to Siem Reap (the distance is about 320km, with duration of journey around 6-7 hours), spent also 2 days there and then fly back from Siem Reap Airport or vice versa. Phnom Penh is nearer with Malaysia while Siem Reap located almost at the north part of Cambodia near Thailand.
Since we traveled with kids and golden citizen, it was not so suitable for long road trip so we decided to just visited Siem Reap. Anyway our main intention was solely to visit Angkot Watt, somemore we just wanted to spent 4 days for this holiday. If we included Phnom Penh also, we needed to spent more days.
I managed to secure a promo flight total at RM430. Not so cheap but considered OK since I booked just 2 weeks before our departure and it was during school holiday.
Details are as follows :
17/03/16 (Friday) - Flight AK542 : KLIA2 (06.10am) to Siem Reap Airport (7.15am)
and returned flight on
20/03/16 (Monday) - Flight AK541 : Siem Reap (2.25pm) to KLIA2 (6.05pm)
iii)Accomodation.
As a one place that welcomes a vast tourist visiting throughout the whole year, looking for an accommodation is not a big deal in Siem Reap, Cambodia. There are descent hotels for those with big family and also lots of convenience hostel for the backpackers.
This part was done by Lina. After searching, she found the best deal that could accommodate all 4 of us in one room and one double room for her family was at Siem Reap Pub Hostel.
It is located stragetically at the night market and Pub Street (one of the main attraction at Siem Reap) town which explained the hostel's name where you could just walk to any of those places.
iv) How to Get Around / Transportation
Similar like most of the countries in South East Asia like Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, etc, Tricycle or Tuk-Tuk is a primary, easiest and cheapest mean of transportation in Siem Reap. You can either arrange for a Tuk Tuk through your hotel or do it on your own. As for us, we did it like most traveller from Malaysia did. Booked earlier before departure.
There are actually lots of Tuk-Tuk driver that offer a complete tour package at Siem Reap. The packages/itinerary are more or less the same, only the prices are different. Thanks to blogger, I managed to collect few contacts and "whatsapp" them for quotation. Most of them are from Muslim Champa ethnic (one of the ethnic in Cambodia) so basically they're Muslim so they know where to find halal food, mosque and to fit our itinerary with our prayer time.
1) Salim
Contact no : +855 78 996 840 - whatsapp is the better way!
Email : angkorlim@gmail.com or threebrothers41@gmail.com
Most of the blogger recommended his service and as per review he is good.
I also contacted him and he gave me the price at USD50/person including meal. According to Salim, they just opened their new restaurant so that's why meal is included which they will bring us to dine at their restaurant. The offer actually was quite attractive, it's just it will limit us to eat at his restaurant only where one of our mission to Siem Reap to try to dine at another Muslim restaurants also (mind you Halal and Muslim restaurants at Siem Reap are quite many and not so hard to find).
2) Kassim
I got his contact through FB - Angkor Kassim.
He gave me the general itinerary (like I said, most of the itineraries I received from them were quite similar) but with additional note that I could add any places that I wanted to visit as I wish. Wow. Price quoted was USD13/perday for each person plus unlimited cold mineral water supply. I tell you this drink water is a must during your trip there as the weather is so hot and dusty so you will feel thirsty almost most of the time. You will also sweat a lot... so drink lots of water to keep you hydrated. Deal, I quickly confirmed to book him. Basically most of this driver could speak Malay.
If you didn't want to take tour package, standard price for chartered Tuk-Tuk are as follows :
Airport transfer (one-way) – USD6
Day tour small circuit (Angkor Wat, Bayon, Angkor Thom, Banteay Kdei & other nearby temples): USD 12 - 18.
Tonle Sap Jetty : USD15 - 18.
Intercity : USD1/one-way.
Alternatively, you can also rent a bicycle at about USD5 per day.
v) Where to Eat
Halal Restaurants
Like I mentioned previously, Siem Reap has a minority Muslim ethnic which is the Champa people. For those who visiting Cambodia, no need to worry as there are several Halal Restaurants running by this Champa people. You just need to in form you Tuk-Tuk driver to bring you there or normally they already knew where to take Muslim tourist to eat as these restaurants are quite well known and popular among tourist.
Below are the list :
1. Muslim Family Kitchen
2. Muslim Family Restaurant / Restoran Haji Musa - Located next to Siem Reap Mosque
3. Cambodia Muslim Restaurant
4. D'Wau Restaurant - Located nearby Cultural Village
5. Kirin Marry Restaurant
If you’re at these restaurant, try out their Cambodian specialities, especially the Fish in Morning Glory Pond, Amok and Beef Climbing Mountain. Overall the prices are quite expansive but still affordable as the taste is good and experience to taste local dishes,this is something we shouldn't be missed!
Street Foods
Try the fruit shakes which are available almost anywhere. They’re super refreshing and cost only USD1 for a cup. There’s also other street food that you can try like pancakes (which are basically like roti canai with chocolate / banana fillings) and ‘fried’ rolled ice cream. There are also stalls selling fried bugs and snakes that charge you USD1 just for taking photos, so I’d suggest that you take a quick glance if you’re curious and move along!
Warung Daging Bakar 62, Jalan 60
This is I read from kakiberangan blog. We didn't try it though. Located at the downtown area, even a little bit far from the city (around 30 mins), for those beef grilled lover (dip with sour sauce) this is something you shouldn't be missed also!
vi) Where to Shop / Buy Souvenirs
1. Psah Chah (Old Market)
With various wares like dried packaged fruit, spices, shirts, silver, scarves, and so on, the Old Market is undoubtedly the best place to buy souvenirs in Siem Reap. Check out all these awesome spices!
2. Night Market
Located a few short blocks from the Old Market, the Night Market is similar though slightly more upscale and without any food items. Here you’ll find more modern nicknacks, Cambodian folk art, jewelry, even fake Beats by Dr. Dre stuffs :D
vii) General Tips
Kowtim on the major preparation... here I shared with you some GENERAL TIPS to Cambodia :
1. Make sure you change enough USD before your trip, as it is the preffered currency used in Siem Reap. They do accept Cambodian Riel but will quote prices in USD.
1 USD = 4000 Cambodian Riel.
I feel good rich!
Better to convert small change early in hand. USD 1 dollar.
Cambodian note. Front : A woman harvesting paddy.
Back : Angkor Wat
2. Wear sunglasses if you get on a tuk tuk! The roads are pretty dusty and some eyewear would serve well as protection against unwanted foreign objects flying into your eyes.
3. If you’re visiting during the hotter months, make sure you drink plenty of water and bring a hand fan along with you to help beat the heat (or better yet, use the heat as an excuse to shop for essentials at the night markets :p
4. Bargaining is welcome (and necessary!) when shopping at the markets. Practice your haggling skills to get a good price.
5. Bring the Right Power Adapter - Cambodia has Type A, Type C, or Type G electrical outlets so be sure to bring the right power adapters for your devices. Electrical voltage is 230V and the standard frequency is 50Hz.
viii) Tips to visit Temple / Angkor Watt Complex
1) Dress Appropriately When Visiting the Temples
Remember to dress appropriately when visiting the Angkor temples. Wear pants or skirts that go below the knees and shirts that cover the shoulders. These temples are sacred to Cambodians so skirts, small shorts, tank tops, and other items of revealing clothing are not allowed within the temple grounds.
2) Things to bring when visiting the temples
Mind you even you already have transportation (i.e Tuk Tuk) to visit the temples, the Angkor Watt is very huge. Tuk- Tuk will only bring you to the entrance of each temple, and drop you there. The rest you'll need to walk. So remember to bring mineral water and wear sun block & protection like cap/hat or sun-glasses.
3) Wear loose, comfortable clothing and pack a good pair of walking shoes. The temple complexes are huge and there’s a lot of walking and exploring to be done. You’d want to be at your most comfortable!
NOTE : Removing shoes before getting in the temples is not necessary.
4) Wear also light clothing, but not revealing.
5) Arrive Early for That Iconic Sunrise Shot
- If you’re into photography and want to get that iconic Angkor Wat sunrise shot, then be sure to get there as early as possible. By the time the sun was rising from behind those temple spires, there must have been several hundred of us lined up in 4-5 rows in front of the temple moat. There’s only so much real estate to get a clear shot of the temple so I suggest getting there before 5AM. Any later and you’ll probably need to take your shot over some other tourist’s big head.
- There are basically many temples available inside the Angkor Wat complex. Wikipedia mentions "Some 72 major temples or other buildings are found within this area". The exact amount is unknown. You could either start your tour of the surrounding temples, namely Ta Phrom, Bayon (I named among the famous one) right after your visit to Angkor Wat during sunrise or head back to the hotel to catch a wink and have some breakfast before heading out again. If you’re not much of an early bird, you always catch the sunset instead, but views will be different.
- Visiting the temples will take up most of your day! If you’re a big history buff, you can even stretch out your exploration of the ruins for up to 7 days, as the entire complex is huge. For most, 1 day would suffice.
So I think thats all about preparation. Now we start our journey. Fasten you seat belt, I introducing to you my Siem Reap Travelogue..... in next post.
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