ATMS dispense USD
$20 Visa upon arrival at REP
Exit fee should be incl. in ticket
Easy to use CC and USD- carry about 2000 riel/day for tuk tuks, shopping
Tipping not expected, but goes a long way
$7 taxi to town, or $2 motorbike, 7km away
220 volt
ANGKOR WAT (Tomb Raider)
Virtual Walk
Angkor Wat lies 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) north of the modern town of Siem Reap, and a short distance south and slightly east of the previous capital, which was centred at Baphuon. It is in an area of Cambodia where there is an important group of ancient structures. It is the southernmost of Angkor's main sites.
The initial design and construction of the temple took place in the first half of the 12th century, during the reign of Suryavarman II (ruled 1113 – c. 1150). Dedicated to Vishnu, it was built as the king's state temple and capital city. As neither the foundation stela nor any contemporary inscriptions referring to the temple have been found, its original name is unknown, but it may have been known as "Varah Vishnu-lok" ( literally "Holy Vishnu Location", Old Khmer Cl. Sanskrit") after the presiding deity. Work seems to have ended shortly after the king's death, leaving some of the bas-relief decoration unfinished.[5] In 1177, approximately 27 years after the death of Suryavarman II, Angkor was sacked by the Chams, the traditional enemies of the Khmer. Thereafter the empire was restored by a new king,Jayavarman VII, who established a new capital and state temple (Angkor Thom and the Bayon respectively) a few kilometres to the north.
In the late 13th century, Angkor Wat gradually moved from Hindu to Theravada Buddhist use, which continues to the present day.
$20 1 day pass (enter after 5pm for free sunset, and use the pass the next day)$40 3 day pass
ticket doesn't include Phnom Kulen or Beng Mealea ($5)
guides cost $10-$15/day
Private Tuk-tuk: http://www.siemreaptransport.net/
$15/1 day private tour of angkor wat, $38/ 2 day private tour.
$2/day bike, www.thewhitebicycles.com proceeds go to community projects
tips: http://globetrottergirls.com/2012/06/how-to-visit-angkor-wat/
Leave hotel at 5:15am to see sunrise (5:40am) from western entrance of Angkor Wat. Then everyone leaves for breakfast, and it's still cooler temp to explore in the morning. Sunset is around 6:15pm
Angkor Thom: Bayon
Nice light early morning/ late afternoon
Angkor Thom: Baphuon
Pre Rup (good views at sunset)
Ta Prohm (controlled jungle)
Beng Mealea (uncontrolled jungle)
Banteay Srei
OTHER EXCURSIONS
Grasshopper Adventure Tours - bike trips
http://grasshopperadventures.com/tour-APKC09.php
Tripadvisor, Website
Tonle Sap Floating village and weaving tour ($75pp)
Tripadvisor, Website
| In the unique environment of the Tonle Sap Great Lake, Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is host to the highest number of breeding large water birds in South East Asia. Ten years ago, many of these wonderful birds faced a serious danger of extinction as over-harvesting of their eggs threatened to destroy their populations. As part of the response, Osmose was established and immediately initiated a novel approach to environmental protection: advancing conservation objectives through environmental education, community support and alternative income generation from Ecotourism. |
Chong Kneas - STAY AWAY from tour scams to sell overpriced supplies for the "orphans"
Tripadvisor, website
7:30am-5:30pm, $3
Tripadvisor
After years of fighting Aki Ra returned to the villages in which he planted thousands of mines and began removing them, by hand, and defusing them with homemade tools. While working to make his country safe, Aki Ra saw many children wounded by landmines and living desperately poor lives. He brought them to his home, where he and his wife raised them as their own, alongside their own children. Today the Facility cares for children who suffer from a variety of physical, emotional, and familial difficulties.
Other day trips: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Guide-g297390-l355-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html
Responsible Tourism
concertcambodia.org - organizes voluntourism and ecotours
Angkor Center for Conservation and Biodiversity
Seeing Hands Massage - Blind Masseuses
8am - 9pm, $5/hr
324 Sivatha Street
FOOD
Psar Chaa food stalls - 7am - 9pm, north end of market
Chamkar - 11am-11pm, The Alley, organic; vegetarian
Khmer Kitchen - 11am-10pm, The Alley; vegetarian
Sugar palm - 11am-late, Ta Phul Late; Traditional Khmer, beng (wooden) decorButterflies Garden Restaurant - 9am - 10pm, East bank; 1000s butterflies float above
Soup Dragon - 6am-11pm, breakfast; Rooftop bar donates to Children's hospital
Abacus - 11am-late, airport rd; French
Madamme Butterfly - 6pm - 11pm, airport rd; traditional khmer
SHOPPING
Keo Kjay - www.keokjay.org, 11am - 10pm, Alley West; Emplys HIV positive women
Rajana - 9-9pm, Sivatha St; Wooden and metalware made from decomissioned weapons
Krousar Thmey - 8am-5:30pm, Charles de Gaulle Blvd; souvenir proceeds for blind/disadvantaged children
Krama scarves are Cambodian fashion identity
