CambodiaGeneral Khmer cuisine is a combination of Chinese, Thai and local dishes. Western style food is available in larger cities and at all large hotels. Try local Khmer food - it is surprisingly good, not so spicy as to be offputting, and its flavors are subtle and delicate. Food is very reasonably priced in Cambodia. Cambodia offers a wide range of souvenirs including handicrafts, embroidered cottons, precious stones (beware if you are not an expert) and much more. Buying at the market is much cheaper than the airport, as one would expect. One well-funded organization called Artisans D'Angkor is successfully reviving the handicraft skills of Cambodia. Goods made by the organization's students and masters, while a little expensive, are of high quality. The profits go to a good cause: supporting the well-run craft schools and creating local industry. International class hotels are available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) at very reasonable rates. Clean, comfortable basic hotels and guest houses exist in all cities. Note that "reasonable rates" in Siem Reap for international class hotels had gone up to more than $200 per night as of Februrary 2004, but that the clean, comfortable basic hotels were still inexpensive. Don't drink the water - except the bottled variety - unless it has been thoroughly boiled. Local mains voltage is 220 AC. Bring a converter for any 110 volt equipment. Cambodia local time is 7 hours ahead of Greenich Mean Time and 12 hours ahead of New York time. Power backouts or power surges are not uncommon. Use a surge guard for sensitive electronic equipment. International phone calls can be made from most hotels and post offices. Call charges are quite high. Email and internet connections are available in Cambodia. International (tri-band) cell phones can be used in Cambodia. International departure taxes at the airport were $25 USD per person as of February 2004, and the entry visa was $20 USD at that time. A passport photograph is needed to obtain a visa (bring one - there is not a photo machine available) and a form must be filled out. Most people visit the Cambodian town of Siem Reap to see the impressive temples at the ancient Khmer empire capital of Angkor, including Angkor Wat. Temple fees for Angkor Wat are high, but worth it, with a three-day pass costing $40 USD per person and a one day pass at $20 USD. A licensed guide can be hired for $20 USD per day and is well worth it. There are very few signs or explanations. The guides must take a 3 month course and pass an extensive Angkor history exam, in English, to gain their license. There are no cash machines (ATMs) in Cambodia that take international credit cards, as of February 2004. There is only one cash machine in the country, in Phnom Penh, and it is for its Cambodian customers only. Some hotels will take Visa for a small surcharge, but for the most part the country runs on cash, including the departure tax. The currency of choice seems to be US dollars. Change on purchases is given in a combination of dollars and paper Cambodian Riel notes instead of coins. Wear appropriate clothing for the climate. Light cotton material is best suited for most of the year while something warmer might be required in the mountains in January or February. Revealing attire is not appropriate in this devoutly Buddhist country. ...continued On the plains the climate is invariably hot for most of the year. October to February is the cooler season with temperatures in the high 20s C. (85 F.) The rest of the year is hotter. In larger cities or towns many people speak some English or French. Other foreign languages like French and German are not widely spoken. Visit your doctor for advice about travel in the tropics before departing for Cambodia. No vacinations are formally required to enter the country. Malaria remains a problem in some regions. All travellers are advised to purchase travel insurance before departing for a holiday in Cambodia. Travellers are advised that normal precautions against robbery should be taken while visiting Cambodia. Having a driver from your hotel meet you at the airport is strongly recommended by Cambodians for your safety. Late at night it can be dangerous for foreigners to go out walking in the main cities. Use taxis or motorbikes in the evening. The country does not have a high crime rate but often tourists are targetted because they carry money and cameras. In the past tourists have been victims of crime because of the political climate.
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