Thứ Ba, 14 tháng 11, 2017

28 Things you absolutely must know before you visit Cambodia - part 3

11. Prepare for some questionable toilets

Before your departure date, do some extra squats to build up the strength required to hover ya big white butt above a toilet seat. We visited some very questionable toilets in Cambodia, mostly so because they are public toilets used by thousands of tourists each day. Seriously, they’re gross. Closed-in shoes will go a long way.

12. English is widely spoken

If you don’t speak Khmer, don’t worry! English is widely spoken in Cambodia and, honestly, some of the locals speak English far better than I do. You’ll have no trouble getting around town, ordering food or communicating with local vendors.
13. You need to be mindful around Monks

In Cambodian culture, Monks are revered and respected. It’s essential you treat them with the same level of respect. Women, in particular, need to be mindful around Monks. Please do not touch them or sit too close to them. Also, you should always ask before taking a photo of a Monk.

14. Bag snatching in Phnom Penh is a very real thing

This is a very real danger, so pay close attention! Do not get around town with all your valuables in your backpack, hanging off ya shoulder like ya back in high-school. Any valuables you cannot afford to lose, like a passport, need to be kept in the safe at your hotel. When you go out, put your backpack on and do up any straps you can around your middle. Make sure your zips are secure. In crowded places, put your backpack to the front of your body. There are a lot of instances where, even in the back of a Tuk Tuk, a local thug runs up and rips your bag off you, jumps on the back of a scooter and is off before you can react.

I’m not trying to scare you, but if you take the right precautions, you minimise this risk significantly. Similarly, don’t stand on the side of the street with ya phone and wallet in your hand. Put these things out of sight. This threat is real enough that locals and Tuk Tuk drivers all warned me several times, making me strap my day pack to myself and rolling down the shades in the Tuk Tuk so I was less visible to would-be thieves. Be alert, not alarmed okay!

15. You may need sunglasses and a face mask

But only if you plan on attending a Michael Jackson costume party. Just Joking. But in all seriousness, you may need both items. When you’re whizzing through Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in the back of a Tuk Tuk, in the city areas, there’s a LOT of pollution, dust and grit. It tends to go in your eyes, nose and mouth. Embarrassing as it is, if you have allergies or asthma, you may need to use a face mask. The sunglasses will keep the grit out of your eyes.

16. It’s cheap and easy to get a SIM card

When you arrive at the airport, you’ll find a few vendors outside selling SIM cards. It should cost around $3US for 2GB of data, to be used over 7 days. It’s easy to get one, so you may as well. It means you can look up good restaurants while you’re out and about use Google Maps if you get lost. Just remember, as above, don’t go waving your phone around on the streets of Phnom Penh.

17. You’ll need a few ‘temple’ outfits

When visiting Angkor Wat and the Grand Palace, for example, you’ll need to cover up. This means shoulders and knees covered, no deep-plunging necklines, no midriff tops. Cover it up, you guys, keep it respectful. It’s important to note, scarves won’t cut it. So your best bet is to pack two temple-appropriate outfits. Pants or a skirt that goes below the knees and a couple of t-shirts.

18. If you visit Siem Reap, you’ll need a temple pass

You can’t just roll up to Angkor Wat and stroll on in, same with other temples around the place. You’ll need to get a temple pass sorted out, also known as an Angkor Pass. You can buy it from a processing centre, located on the road to Angkor Wat. They’re sold in one-day ($20), three-day ($40) and seven-day ($60) blocks that must be used on consecutive days. They’ll take your photo at the place then issue you with your pass. Keep it on you at ALL times and be careful with it because you’ll need to re-purchase if you lose it boo!

19. The internet ain’t great

Before anyone gets their knickers in a knot and reminds me holidays are for holiday-ing, not wifi-ing, it’s important to remember I work online and when I travel I’m always working, so I am somewhat of an interest connoisseur. I found the wifi in Cambodia to be pretty poor and not the best for working. So, if you’re in the same boat as me, just prepare for that in advance. I had to take a week off from posting on the blog because I just couldn’t get good enough wifi for all my wheelings and dealings.
20. You may need an umbrella

Rain aside, the sun has got some serious bite to it. I’d recommend popping a small umbrella in your daypack, it’ll shade you from the scorching heat at places like Angkor Wat but also save you from those mid-afternoon storms in rainy season.

21. The high season is November to March

It sure is! This is when Cambodia’s weather is on fleek. It’s cooler than the rest of the year, slightly, but offers lots of gorgeous sunny days for you to explore, swim and sweat like a good tourist should. Given it’s the high season, you’ll want to make sure you pre-plan your accommodation so you don’t find yourself without a place to crash.

For more information, please visit https://cambodiatours.com/tips/news/118-5-most-interesting-day-tours-in-siem-reap.html

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