Thailand March 2016

Doshwaster

lovesgshp wrote: »

Cambodia is very nice. 3 days in PP is probably enough, but went up to Siem Reap for about another 10 days. Find a tuk-tuk type driver who will show you around at a negotiated price to all the sights for X number of days.
In PP we were taken to his family home and to the local temple where we were greeted like old friends. We took him to SR for a holiday, but had contacts for other drivers to take us around there.
Great time, apart from getting templed out!!!!

I'm not sure I'd take a tuk tuk driver on a holiday with me but I must agree the ones in Cambodia are the best in Asia - friendly, reliable and cheap. I had one guy all day for US$10 (city tour and the Killing Fields) and he was waiting outside my hotel the next morning to tell me that he had bought his children some school books with the money. Such a change to Thailand where virtually every tuk tuk driver is just there to rip off tourists.

totallybored

Doshwaster wrote: »

I'm not sure I'd take a tuk tuk driver on a holiday with me but I must agree the ones in Cambodia are the best in Asia - friendly, reliable and cheap. I had one guy all day for US$10 (city tour and the Killing Fields) and he was waiting outside my hotel the next morning to tell me that he had bought his children some school books with the money. Such a change to Thailand where virtually every tuk tuk driver is just there to rip off tourists.

I also found the same with taxi drivers. Negotiate a reasonable price before hand and no dodgy meters. I hired one in Kampot who had a fab day out with us which was a bit weird but nice. He was concerned how we might pay too much in other cities and told us exactly how much we should pay so we wouldn't be ripped off. They always have a contact in another city too if you need it! Vietnam on the other hand, don't even get me started on taxis there.

Doshwaster

totallybored wrote: »

Vietnam on the other hand, don't even get me started on taxis there.

I found the taxis in Hoi An to be cheap and reliable (everything in Hoi An is cheap!) but the ones in Hanoi were daylight robbery. And the cyclo drivers were even worse. It's very easy to get lost in Hanoi's Old Town and the drivers take advantage of that by driving you around in circles until you lose your bearings. One wanted 200,000 Dong (about £6) for something which would have been a 10 minute walk back to my hotel.

PompeyPete

Back from our enjoyable Antalya trip safe and sound.

Our second trip to Cambodia was for over 2 weeks. We'd just had a few days in Bangkok, a week at a lovely provincial town called Prachuap Khiri Khan, and a couple of nights in Ayutthaya (the old capital of Siam).

Flew from Don Muang Airport with Air Asia to Phonm Penh (PP). Clearing immigration is easy, and a VOA is now US$30 (I think). A good introduction to PP is use a fixed price tuk tuk from the airport to your hotel.

On our earlier short trip we missed out on the Killing Fields (KF) and S21 Genocide Museum. That was something I regretted, and wanted to make sure we fitted both in on this trip. KF and S21, as Doshwaster has mentioned are easy to fit in on a day trip by tuk tuk from your hotel, but wear a surgical mask or scarf over your mouth as the traffic fumes and dust can be nasty.

Despite the subject matter the KF are very tastefully presented, and give you a true glimpse at what life (and death) was like during the Pol Pot era. The admission charge (US$5) includes an audio guide, and once you put the headphones on you are completely immersed in what the place is all about.

S21 (US$2) on the other hand is raw and stark, and you have a continuous shiver down your neck.

To make a day of it include a bit of retail therapy at the Russian Market after KF and S21.

Then return to your accommodation to freshen up and a swim.

A beeline to Sisowath Quay to enjoy the Happy Hour (HH) at the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) is a great end to the day. The HH runs from 1700-1900, and is very popular with expats, NGOs and la-di-da tour groups. Get there early to bag the best balcony seats so you watch the views at dusk, and the traffic mayhem on the Quay below.

I agree with what's been said about 3 nights being about right for a stay in PP.

If Siem Reap (SR) is your next destination, then most people fly. But even a short 60 minute flight chews up over half a day with getting to and from the airports, hanging around, and possible delays. Plus you'll be at 15,000 feet and missing everything on the ground. So, imo the best way to get from PP to SR is by bus, and the best one is Giant Ibis...

http://www.giantibis.com/

Doshwaster

Some brilliant information above about Phonm Penh (PP) by PompeyPete (PP). The Genocide Museum and Killing Fields are heartbreaking and may not sound like a good way to spend a day of your holiday but they are the essential to helping you understand Cambodia. It's something you just have to do - then go out and get ratted on the cheap cocktails in Happy Hour while you reflect on what you have seen.

lovesgshp

Doshwaster wrote: »

I'm not sure I'd take a tuk tuk driver on a holiday with me but I must agree the ones in Cambodia are the best in Asia - friendly, reliable and cheap. I had one guy all day for US$10 (city tour and the Killing Fields) and he was waiting outside my hotel the next morning to tell me that he had bought his children some school books with the money. Such a change to Thailand where virtually every tuk tuk driver is just there to rip off tourists.

We took him up for a break and he found his own cheap hotel. After buying $50 of food for his family and being welcomed in his small village, then we thought it was a kind gesture, as many are so poor.
We went by coach to SR and the guys brother had got in touch with another driver in SR, as ours was not allowed to drive there. We flew out from SR to BKK, whereas he went back home on the coach.
It was good to have someone who could speak reasonable English, knew the ropes and made sure we got to sample the real food.
S21 and the KF certainly make you wonder what the world can be like for sure.
In Saigon, we had a couple of cyclo drivers for our stay there. Each day they would be at the hotel in the morning and show us the sights. Bought them dinner when we finished for the day, as they were doing all the hard work!!
I cannot remember the place, as would have to search through loads of info, but there is a mine disposal guy, ( previously Viet Cong ), who has a centre for kids who have been disabled and helps them out as it is a sort of charity.
Whatever else, you must try the Vietnamese Pho, lovely for breakfast.

Doshwaster

lovesgshp wrote: »

Whatever else, you must try the Vietnamese Pho, lovely for breakfast.

A Pho is great any time of day especially when washed down by several Beer Hois at 15p a pop. The B!nh mì rolls were great too. I have long been a fan of Thai food but Vietnamese cooking was a revelation to me.

In Thailand my favourite breakfast was the omelettes then did stuffed with fried meat, veg and rice. it's a great way of using up leftover from last night's stir fry.

PompeyPete

Doshwaster wrote: »

In Thailand my favourite breakfast was the omelettes then did stuffed with fried meat, veg and rice. it's a great way of using up leftover from last night's stir fry.

Sounds like the All Inclusive trick of making sure very little gets wasted.;)

shaunskankdog

I have flown from Italy and Spain capitals with Emirates, Qatar and Etihad....landed back in UK for a third cheaper.

PompeyPete

shaunskankdog wrote: »

I have flown from Italy and Spain capitals with Emirates, Qatar and Etihad....landed back in UK for a third cheaper.

How did you get to Rome and Madrid, and how long did that add to your journey? Emirates, Qatar and Etihad all fly to SE Asia via their hubs, so by dog-legging you're only adding to an already long and tiring trip just for the sake of saving a few quid.