Cambodia – Explore
Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia and currency is Cambodian Riel. 1 US Dollar is equal to 4200 Riel. We were paying one and half lakh riel for lunch or dinner. So funny to pay that much money for a single meal. Every one takes US dollars including Tuk Tuk drivers. So no need to convert the money. Just get lot of one dollars.
Cambodia needs visa for US passport holders. There is an option to take on arrival visa at the airport. You need to be prepared with 2 passport photos and $36 US Dollars ($30 fee + $6 processing fee) per person.
I have applied online before coming. Searched through internet and went with “www.cambodiaonlinevisa.org” thinking government website. But they charged $99 dollars ($30 fee, $6 processing fee + $63 dollars service fee) for each person. There was small print with this processing fee, but I rushed the small print . I suggest to pay attention to the website and either go through government web site. In government website you need to create an account to apply the visa.
Here is the Cambodian Currency, 50,000 Riel, 20,000 Riel, 10,000 Riel, 2000 Riel, 1000 Riel, 500 Riel and 100 Riel.
Our itinerary for next 3 days
Day 1:
- Reach Siem Reap and relax, explore the resort
Day 2 :
- Private Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm & Angkor Wat, Tour starts: 8:00 AM
Day 3 :
- Siem Reap down town, Fish Massage
- Lunch at Khmer Restaurant
- Kompong Phluk Village Tour
- Pub Street and Night market in Siem Reap
Trip Dates : July 04, 2018 to July 07, 2018
Our stay in Siem Reap was for 3 days was in “Empress Angkor Resort & Spa, Siem Reap” . I loved the indoors with all wood finishing of their culture and tradition.
Our first dinner in Siem Reap. With jet lag hitting hard we took easy on food…But Mangoes are so good…
Every day we used to start our day with a good Brunch at early 7AM. I call it brunch as there is Rice, Noodles, curries, Salad along with breakfast items.
Spirit Houses
One of the thing that we observed is a concrete miniature temple in front of every house or business. Along the street also there are lot of places selling these small temples. These are called “Spirit Houses”. Generally placed at the corner of the house or a business in Cambodia for spirits to live . The Khmer people believe in spirits and they place offerings every day. They believe that by giving spirits space to live and offerings they won’t interfere in to the human space. Khmer people usually offer flowers, wine, water and incense near spirit houses.
Lunch during our Angkor Wat tour….
Apsara Dance show
We have booked dinner and Apsara Dance show at the Crystal Angkor Restaurant.
Five traditional performances were there in the show.
1. The Blessing Dance : blessing dance performed to give blessing to kings and official guests visiting the country.
2. Coconut Shells Dance : Very energetic and rhythmic dance with coconut shells. Fun watching it.
3. Mekhala Dance : Represents victory of good over evil. Goddess of waters and demon with the axe performing together making a thud sound in the middle.
The two characters illustrate victory of beneficial rains over the dry and stormy season.
4. Pailin Peacock Dance : Peacock dance performed very well in celebration.
5. Apsara Dance :
“Apsara, goddesses of dance, half-woman half-goddess, are heavenly dancers, was performed at offering ceremonies and palace celebrations in the Angkorian era, originally were born at the time of churning of ocean milk by gods and demons to make ambrosia. Thousands of Apsara were sculpted on the walls of Khmer monuments, especially Angkor Wat Temple. This is a proof that this dance has been over hundred years. They are not only goddesses of love but also mother of Khmer people, which has been mentioned in the history. The name of Kambuja (Cambodia) is from alliance of a sage named Kambusvayamphuva and goddess named Apsaramera.”
Fish Massage
Remember Finding Nemo.. “Fish are friends not food” . It’s time to become food for these tiny fish. A unique experience to do the fish massage. It is so tickling and we had so much fun.
Lunch at “Neary Khmer Restaurant” in Siem Reap. Food was awesome and very tasty.
Pub Street & Night Market
FAQ
1. Visa requirements
Check if there is visa required for your country. For US citizens and Indian citizens, Visa is required to enter in to Cambodia.
There is on arrival visa available for these countries.
Keep the application form filled, exact fee, 2 passport photos ready.
If you are applying online, make sure to check the legitimate Cambodia country official web site. There are multiple private travel web sites that look exactly like Government site. They will charge around $90 for processing fee. Watch for those.
2. Do you need to convert the money?
No. Every where dollars are accepted. Also, converting to Cambodian currency will give you bundles of money.
3. Vegetarian option
There is Vegetarian food available in most of the restaurants. The Khmer curries are nice with coconut milk.
4. Tips?
Tips are encouraged and keep the US $1 dollar and $5 dollars handy.
5. Renting Tuk-Tuk
Tuk Tuk are common in this area. You can rent a Tuk-Tuk and talk to driver to come at different times to take you to different places. They are punctual and honest.
