Cambodia ...

DUKE

blindman wrote: »

IIRC-(we took Tuk-Tuk at $15)- Taxi was about $50/day

Advantageous if there are 4 of you but only really needed if you go to Lady Temple

Even then the Tuk-tuk drive was Ok-Takes about 45 minutes each way.

Other Temples are relatively close by-about 10-15 minutes drive.


Our driver supplied us with cold water and towels (storage under the seat) and driving open air gets the breeze going (albeit warm air...)

All sound good to me blindman

PompeyPete

DUKE wrote: »

How exciting!

Just had a live chat with Giant Ibis they say no toilets on the day time bus :eek: I thought there was.

There's a comfort stop mid-morning and 45 minutes at lunch. The bus arrives at about 1500.

There's also a toilet in their office before you get on the road.

Buses with a toilet in hot conditions, and lack attention to cleanliness, plus the ignorance of how some people treat toilet facilities, will have the bus stinking in no time.

Giant Ibis buses are as comfortable as you'll get in Cambodia

DUKE

I understand Pete but my bladder don't unfortunately. They will stop if you ask though, although I wouldn't want to do it too often.

So would you say the bus is safer than a taxi? Great price!

I'm keen to take the train to Sihanoukville too, & am thinking of ditching the plane in favour of this.

So I've choose one hotel so far in Siem Reap. I'm still searching for a hotel in PP, & Sihanoukville.

blindman

DUKE wrote: »

I'm keen to take the train to Sihanoukville too, & am thinking of ditching the plane in favour of this.

So I've choose one hotel so far in Siem Reap. I'm still searching for a hotel in PP, & Sihanoukville.

Stayed at the Tea House Asia in PP
free afternoon Tea IIRC

Hima Boutique in SR
A little out of the way from town (10 mi walk IIRC) but quiet for that.
Pool is in the shade after about midday.

Transport
We took a small "luxury" van for one journey and a coach for another.

Coach was better, as being bigger you did not feel the potholes so much

PompeyPete

DUKE wrote: »

I understand Pete but my bladder don't unfortunately. They will stop if you ask though, although I wouldn't want to do it too often.

So would you say the bus is safer than a taxi? Great price!

Size demands respects on the roads, the bigger the vehicle the safer you should feel.....just like on the road from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Giant Ibis are very professional outfit.

DUKE wrote: »

I'm keen to take the train to Sihanoukville too, & am thinking of ditching the plane in favour of this.

Didn't go to Sihanoukville.....wrong direction really if you want to see the better parts of Cambodia, but Kampot and Kep are worth a couple of nights,

DUKE wrote: »

So I've choose one hotel so far in Siem Reap. I'm still searching for a hotel in PP, & Sihanoukville.

So many choices, I wouldn't recommend the ones we stayed at, they were alright, but there will have been better in the same price range.

Leanne1812

DUKE wrote: »

I understand Pete but my bladder don't unfortunately. They will stop if you ask though, although I wouldn't want to do it too often.

So would you say the bus is safer than a taxi? Great price!

I'm keen to take the train to Sihanoukville too, & am thinking of ditching the plane in favour of this.

So I've choose one hotel so far in Siem Reap. I'm still searching for a hotel in PP, & Sihanoukville.

We've been twice to both PP & SR. Once to Sihanoukville where we stayed at the OC Hotel. It was nice enough, there's a new & old wing. Not directly on the beach but they did have a beach club with restaurant & loungers which we used every day. Free transport from the hotel to the beach clubwhich was good. If I were to return I may stay again or if budget allowed stay at otres or otres 2. There are a couple of really lovely hotels there but in excess of £100 a night whereas we paid £35/40. It's quieter at otres so if you want to be in the heart of the action it's probably too far out. If you prefer tranquility it's very chilled and the beach is prettier & cleaner.

For PP we stayed at Circa 51? ( think I've got that right) and on our second visit The Plantation. I'd highly recommend this hotel, it was an oasis from the craziness & bustle. I think it was £80 a night but really lovely pool area & good breakfast.

We travelled mostly by taxi between PP & SR but flew from SR to Sihanoukville as it would have been a long journey otherwise. Taxi from there to PP was easy enough, about 4/5 hrs and $50. Our last trip was 2015.

DUKE

blindman wrote: »

Stayed at the Tea House Asia in PP
free afternoon Tea IIRC

Hima Boutique in SR
A little out of the way from town (10 mi walk IIRC) but quiet for that.
Pool is in the shade after about midday.

Transport
We took a small "luxury" van for one journey and a coach for another.

Coach was better, as being bigger you did not feel the potholes so much

I looked at the Tea House blindman, actually I've looked at so many the last few days that I'm exhausted with it all. Perhaps I've become too fussy in my mature years. It has to be non smoking, & prefer small, a balcony for a beer & a daydream, & quiet-ish. Although I've booked direct the Angkor Heart Bungalows in Siem Reap for a week & a bit of luxury, but I'll swap luxury for a bit of character.

What's the small luxury van?

DUKE

PompeyPete wrote: »

Size demands respects on the roads, the bigger the vehicle the safer you should feel.....just like on the road from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Giant Ibis are very professional outfit.



Didn't go to Sihanoukville.....wrong direction really if you want to see the better parts of Cambodia, but Kampot and Kep are worth a couple of nights,



So many choices, I wouldn't recommend the ones we stayed at, they were alright, but there will have been better in the same price range.

Ah yes the bigger vehicle Pete, I used to get a lift home from work in a skip years ago & everyone gave way to us

Have to go to Sihanoukville Pete, I've promised him the beach. Although I could argue that he has the temples, I get templed out after a few. I'll look in to it anyway, thanks.

DUKE

Leanne1812 wrote: »

We've been twice to both PP & SR. Once to Sihanoukville where we stayed at the OC Hotel. It was nice enough, there's a new & old wing. Not directly on the beach but they did have a beach club with restaurant & loungers which we used every day. Free transport from the hotel to the beach clubwhich was good. If I were to return I may stay again or if budget allowed stay at otres or otres 2. There are a couple of really lovely hotels there but in excess of £100 a night whereas we paid £35/40. It's quieter at otres so if you want to be in the heart of the action it's probably too far out. If you prefer tranquility it's very chilled and the beach is prettier & cleaner.

For PP we stayed at Circa 51? ( think I've got that right) and on our second visit The Plantation. I'd highly recommend this hotel, it was an oasis from the craziness & bustle. I think it was £80 a night but really lovely pool area & good breakfast.

We travelled mostly by taxi between PP & SR but flew from SR to Sihanoukville as it would have been a long journey otherwise. Taxi from there to PP was easy enough, about 4/5 hrs and $50. Our last trip was 2015.

I found Otres at the beginning of my search Leanne1812, bit expensive but nice all the same. £50's the max I pay, but usually like to pay around £35 or less if poss.

Looks like Cira 51's closed now.

Think I'll travel by bus & train, maybe taxi to wherever I end up going, I don't mind how long it takes as you get to see so much scenery (I hope) & I treat it as a another day trip.

DUKE

Is it freezing on the Giant Ibis with the air con? I took a bus in Mexico some years back & I had a cold by the time I got off 4 hours later.

Was going to ask something else but completely forgot what it was.

Thanks all