P'CHUM BEN (FESTIVAL OF DEAD)

This festival is a kind of ALL Souls' DAY, when respects are paid to the dead through offerings made at wats (pagodas). Offerings include paper money, candles, flowers and incense, as well as food and drink, all passed through the medium of the monks. P'chum Ben lasts for several days and devout Buddhists are expected to visit seven wats during the festival. Head to the village of Vihear Sour in Kandal Province, about 35km northeast of Phnom Penh, to witness authentic bareback buffalo racing and traditional Khmer wrestling.

This year this festival will held for 3days from 22nd of September to 24th of September. It's also a happy time of family meeting day. Most of the workers will have 3 days off during this festival because it's is a national holiday.

Food after do offering to the monks for their ancestors

Buffalo racing during P'chum Ben Festival

INTERESTING PLACES OF SIEM REAP

I love Cambodia team at Angkor Wat Temple

There are lots of beautiful site in Siem Reap that attract more visitor to come more and more to this city. So make sure you bring your camera with full battery to take photos while you visiting around.

Sunrise at Angkor Wat, the best view that you rarely see.

TOP 10 KINGS OF ANGKOR

A mind- numbing array of kings ruled the Khmer empire from the 9th to the 14th centuries AD. All of their names include the word 'VARMAN'which means 'protector'. Forget the small fry and focus on the big fish in our Top 10 kings:

King Jayavarman VII

Jayavarman II       (r 802-50) Founder of the Khmer empire in AD 802.

Indravarman I       (r 877-89) Builder of the first Baray (reservoir). Preah Ko and Bakong.

Yasovarman I        (r 889-910) Moved the capital to Angkor and built Lolei temple and Phnom Bakheng.

Jayavarman IV     (r 924-42) Usurper king who moved the capital to Koh Ker.

Rajendravarman II (r 944-68) Builder of Eastern Mebon, Pre Rup and Phimeanakas.

Jayavarman V      (r 968-1001) Oversaw construction of Ta Keo and Banteay Srei.

Suryavarman I     (r 1002-49 expanded the empire into much of Laos and Thailand.

Udayadityavarman II (r 1049-65) Builder of the pyramidal Baphuon and the Western Mebon.

Suryavarman II    (r1112-52) Legendary builder of Angkor Wat and Beng Mealea temples.

Jayavarman VII  (r 1181-1219) The king of the god-kings, building Angkor Thom, Preah Khan and Ta     Prohm Temples.

House Building For A Poor Family

A student group from Turkey was building this house for Mr. Tek from type 1 poor family in Treak Village.

Siem Reap has known as the tourist city. There are lots of people come to visit this city focus on temples and especially Angkor Wat Temple. Even the number of tourists visiting Siem Reap has risen from a year to a year and tourism is bringing real benefits to the people of Siem Reap but this city still have high level of poverty, about 36% of the population exist below the poverty line. People are also drawn to the town in search of works, or to beg on the streets, and many children sell books and other souvenirs to supplement the family income. Landmine victims also try to earn a living by selling books and souvenirs.

Remember that even you confront with the beggars who beg for money or milk powder please don't give them. If you give them it mean you are voting them to do that. On the other hand, it's just a scam! 

Families in Cambodia have been classified into 3 types or levels:

- Level 1 family: is the poorest family in the community who has not enough food to eat, no education or had been forcing to stop the school when they were young or in primary school, most of them have no own land to do the rice field but they get hiring from the type 3 families to work in the rice field and get about $4 per day.

- Level 2 family: family who is a little bit better than level 1 and some of them have a piece of land to do rice field just for eat but they have no saving.

- Level 3 family: Richest in the community, has been educated and has saving. Most of them have their own big fancy house on the main road and rice field to do for eat and sale.

If you want to get to see those people and learn more about their daily life, you can check with some travel agencies in town to do countryside tour.

www.beyonduniqueescapes.com

A student group from Belfast were building a house for grandma Out in Kompheim Village.

A student group from Hong Kong International School were building some part of the walls of Husk School in Kompheim Village.

MARKETS

'Phsar' mean 'market' in Khmer. The traditional Cambodian phsar is a sprawling, semi-covered affair of small shops and stalls, and a visit to one is ans important part of any Cambodian experience. Siem Reap's most popular traditional market Phsar Chas (Old Market), caters to visitors and locals, offering a varied selection of souvenirs, home wares and food - a true cultural shopping experience.

Angkor Night Market

Siem Reap's first and original night market, located in the heart of town amongst other late night shopping venues. Very popular. The Market opens in the mid afternoon, stays open until at least midnight, harbors more than 200 thatch roofed shops and stalls offering souvenirs, handicrafts, fish massage, clothes, Asian and international food, drinks, books, DVDs, electronics, jewelry, art and there's even a travel agent. The shopping atmosphere is peaceful and relaxed and the welcoming Island Bar at the back provides a nice place to relax and chill over some very reasonably priced drinks and snacks.

Phsar Chas (Old Market)

The Old Market is the most popular of the old traditional markets for visitors, located in the center of town - the market and surrounding streets known as the 'Old Market/Pub Street Area'. More than half the Old market is focused on souvenirs, crafts, curios, silks and such. The riverside of the market has dozens of souvenir stalls. The riverside of the market has dozens of souvenir stalls. The opposite side of the market along Street 9 is lined with food stalls and several places selling Cambodian spices, sweets and packaged snacks. Part of the interior of the market is still geared more to the locals, selling fruits, vegetables, meats, clothes, etc. The surrounding streets are filled with restaurant, bars and shops and the nearby Pub Street is the entertainment hub Siem Reap.

Phsar Leu Thom Thmey
(Big, New, Upper Market)
Phsar Leu is the main traditional and biggest market in Siem Reap for the locals, set just outside the main town area - an expansive market building full of vendors and stalls hawking everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to motorcycle parts, clothing and rice by the bushel. Not a place to shop for souvenirs but instead to see a bit of real Cambodia right in close to town. Opens and closes with the sun. Busiest in the morning time.

GETTING AROUND TOWN & TEMPLE

Siem Reap city is almost small enough to get around on foot, but not quite. The Angkor Park entrance is 4 kilometers from town and the temples inside the park are as much as 3 kilometers apart, ordinarily requiring some sort of transportation to tour. Tuk-tuks, motorcycle taxis and cars taxis are the most popular forms of transportation. In-town it's always easy to find tuk-tuks and motodups for short trips. Transportation to and around the temples is usually hired by the day. To avoid later misunderstandings, make sure to negotiate the details of the driver's services carefully - exact price, what times you expect the day to begin and end, availability during lunch hours, limitations on you itinerary and touring route, extra charges for distant temples, etc. Normally sunset is include with the tour if you go to see temples around small or big circuit tour, extra charge about $5 for sunrise for drivers or tour guides to go with you from sunrise. Be aware of doing sunrise and sunset on the same day if you go with the tour guide, they have no enough energy to stay with you from sunrise till sunset.

Moto-remorques (Tuk tuks)

Moto-remorques are the most common and popular form of transportation in town - the semi-enclosed trailer offering a comparatively pleasant ride. Tuk-tuks are omnipresent in Siem Reap. Just step to the curb and they will find you. For short trips around town, foreigners are expected to pay $5 to $7. Bargain! Full day rates for transportation to the temples: $15-$20/per day depend on your itinerary. Additional charge for transport to distant temples.

Cars/Taxis

Private car taxis offer a comfortably air-conditioned way to tour the temples, though they are the most expensive option. Rates: $25-$30 per day plus additional charge for transportation to distant temples off the main circuits. Taxis from the airport to town also offer taxi.tour services to the temples.

OVERLAND TO/FROM THAILAND

Most overland travelers between Thailand and Siem Reap cross at the Aranyaprathet/Poipet border crossing, but train (on the Thai side) and taxi travel is also available. Cambodian visas are available at the border. Going the other direction, 15-day Thai transit visas are available free of charge. Other types of Thai visas are not available.

You will likely be confronted by a couple of annoyances at the border. Touts and drivers on the Thai side of the border will tell you that you should or even must get a Cambodian visa from a ' local consulate ' on your way to the border crossing. DO NOT USE THEIR SERVICES. DO NOT GET YOUR VISA AT THE 'LOCAL CONSULATE. The visa is valid but is overpriced. Do not get your Cambodian visa until you have stamped out of Thailand, crossed the border into Cambodia and arrived at Cambodian ''Visa-on-Arrival'' station. Also, the touts will tell you that you need to exchange foreign currency for Cambodian riel. THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT TO CHANGE MONEY AT THE BORDER. It is a scam to get you to change money at a rip-off exchange rate.

Aranyaprathet, Thailand/Poipet, Cambodia Border Crossing: Route from Bangkok to Siem Reap

It's a 465km, 6-9 hour trip from Bangkok to Siem Reap. The usual route begins with a 4-5 hour bus or a train ride from Bangkok to the border crossing at Aranyaprathet, cross the border into Cambodia and then 3 more hours on to Siem Reap, though direct, non-stop buses have recently been added.

 

Direct Bus 

There are now direct buses between Siem Reap and Bankok. One ticket, one price, no bus change at the border.

The bus makes 2-3 rest stops and snack is served, but you may want to pack some extra food for the trip. total trip: 7-9 hours. Price: $25-$30 (750B), not inclusive of visa fees. Buses leave early, 7AM-9AM in both directions. At the border crossing make sure to get you visa at the Cambodia ''Visa-on-arrival'' immigration station, not 'local consulate'.

In Bangkok tickets are sold and buses depart from Morochit station. In Siem Reap purchase ticketss through the Nattakan office on the Sivutha Blvd or at a travel/tour agent. In Siem Reap the ticket usually includes free pick up form your hotel.

OVERLAND TO/FROM VIETNAM

Cambodia shares several border crossings with Vietnam, all fairly distant from Siem Reap. The Bavet Crossing offers easiest access to Phnom Penh.

Bavet Checkpoint: Moc Bai, Vietnam/ Bavet, Cambodia (National Route 1 to/from Phnom Penh)

Cambodia visas available at the border. Vietnamese visas are NOT available at the border.

The Moc Bai crossing is the most convenient to Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City. The road is in good condition, though the bridge over the Mekong River at Neak Luong town is still under construction requiring ferrying across the river.

Bus: There are several bus companies offering multiple daily direct a/c bus service between Phnom Penh and HCMC for $10-$12, taking about 6 hours. Phnom Penh Sorya, Mekong Express and Capitol Tours all have regular bus service PP-HCMC. In HCMC, most of the bus stations and offices are in the Pham Ngu Lao area.

Please check with Tourist Information Center and some travel agencies in town for more information.

INTERNET/TELEPHONE IN SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

Cambodia Country Calling Code: 855

Siem Reap Provice Area Code:    063

Telephoning

Cambodia telephone numbers are usually listed beginning with a '0' (for example: 063-000000.) The first three numbers (010, 011, 012, 016, 023, 063, 069, 070, 083, 085, 093, 099, 086, 087 etc.) represent the provincial area code or the mobile phone system.

When dialing domestically, it is necessary to dial the entire number including the '0' at the beginning. (for example: 010-000000). When dialing internationally from Cambodia, precede the phone number with a gateway code such as 001, 177, 153, 163, 007 (for example: 177-662-251-0000)

Internet/E-mail

Internet access in Siem Reap is inexpensive, widely available and of moderate speed. There are still some internet shops and cafes located across town and priced around 1500-3000R ($0.40-$0.75) per hour. But these days most of the hotels, guesthouses and many of the restaurants and bars offer free wifi access.

Post Office

Located on Pokambor Av. (river road, west side of the river) Open 7:00AM-5:30PM everyday. Offering seemingly reliable general postal & parcel (EMS) services and domestic and international telephone. Philately enthusiasts take note, sets of modern and historic Cambodian postage stamps are on sale in the lobby.

If you already bought postcards from the shops, markets or children selling on the street and you don't know where post office is or you don't have time to go drop them there by yourself, just check with your hotel reception, they will drop it for you by pay $0.75-$1 per post card (if you don't have stamp yet).

 

Banking And Money

Money

Though Cambodian riel (R) is the official currency, US dollars are used as commonly used as riel. Most businesses, especially hotels, restaurants, airlines and other transportation, markets and souvenir shops set their prices in US dollars. Though the exchange rate varies over time, it has hovered near 4000R to the dollar for several years and many small businesses treat 4000R as the de facto rate regardless of today's exact exchange rate.

All Cambodian currency is in the form of paper notes. Currently the country does not employ coins. Notes range in denomination from 100-100,000 riel. 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 riel notes are the most common and useful denominations.

Money changers tend to give a slightly better exchange rate than the banks. When accepting US dollars in exchange or change, inspect the bills carefully. Marred riel is acceptable tender, but the tiniest tear in a large US note renders it worthless in Cambodia.

ATMs

ATMs are located across town with several at banks along Sivutha Blvd and around Old Market area. All ATMs accept Visa and most also accept Cirrus, Plus, Maesro, and Master Card. Unless you have a Cambodian bank account, all ATMs dispense in US dollars.

Credit Cards

Visa and Master Card (MC) are the most widely accepted credit cards in Cambodia. AMEX, JCB cards, the ANZ blue spot card and  the ACLEDA Bank Gold Dot card (GD) are accepted at some places, Some businesses charge a 2%-4% fee on credit card payment.

Travel Checks

Travelers checks are accepted at most banks, major hotels and restaurants and some money changers.

Banks

Banks provide currency and travelers check exchange, credit card advances, telegraphic transfers and all usual banking services. Most banks are open from 8:00AM to 3:00PM or 4:00PM, Monday through Friday. Some banks are open Saturday morning until 11:30AM.

Arrival In Siem Reap & Departure

Siem Reap International Airport is a 6km, 15-20 minutes from town center depend the traffic. Taxis, tuk-tuks and motodups can be hired at the ticket desk located just outside the terminal doors. Taxis run $7, tuk-tuks are $5 and motodups $2 into town area, Vans are also available for $10. Extra charge may apply for hotels outside the main town area. Most hotels and guesthouses offer free pick up from airport with advance reservations.

Chong Khneas Ferry Dock for those arriving from Phnom Penh or Battambang by river ferry, the ferry dock is located at Chong Khneas near Phom Krom, 15km south of Siem Reap town. On arrival rates from the dock to town run about: Tuk-tuks: $5, Taxis: $7.

Chong Kov Sou Bus Station the bus station is located near Phsar Leu a couple of kilometers west of town center. On arrival, motodups from the station into town run $2 and tuk-tuks for $2-$4. For passengers departing Siem Reap, most bus companies offer a free shuttle service from the hotel to the bus station.

Suggestive Bus Companies

    Giant Ibis Transport (the best company)

             - Departure Schedule Siem Reap <=> Phnom Penh: 7:45AM, 8:45AM, 12:30PM & 11PM

             - Price:           $15/pax

             - Deluxe buses

    Mekong Express 

             - Departure Schedule Siem Reap <=> Phnom Penh: 7:30AM, 8:30AM, 12:30PM & 2:25PM

             - Price:           $9/pax

             - Deluxe buses

From Siem Reap to Battambang town, you have to hire a taxi or go by boat through Chong Khneas Ferry Dock. Please check with some travel agencies in town to get more detail and more update.                 

Preparing

Almost all hotels are located in or near Siem Reap Town. There are none within the park. With the exception of Roluos 13km east, the most important temples in the area lay 4-15km north of town, the closest being Angkor Wat. To visit the temples you will need to decide how long to stay, purchase an admission pass, arrange transportation and obtain a guidebook or tour guide.

Park Admission

You must possess an admission pass to visit the temples and sites in the Angkor Archaeological Park. All passes can be purchased at the main entrance on the road to Angkor Wat.

Passes are sold in one-day ($20), three-day ($40) and seven -day ($60) blocks. The three day pass is valid for one week, i.e. 3 days to be used within the week, not necessarily consecutively.

A one-day visit allows you to see highlights of the most famous ruins but little more. Three days is sufficient to visit all of the major temples, a few of the minor ones and have a little extra time for favorites. Seven days is enough to really explore some of your favorites and visit many minor structures as well.

The admissions office opens at 4:30AM. Park visiting hours are 5:00AM - sunset. Banteay Srey closes at 5:00PM and Kbal Spean at 3:00PM. Always carry your ticket. It will be checked upon each park entry and at major temples. A regular admission ticket is not required to visit Phnom Kulen, Koh Ker or Beng Melea but there are separate entrance fees of $20, $10 and $5, respectively.

What To Bring 

Dress for a tropical environment-warm, humid, sunny. Wear light, airy, covering clothing to protect from the sun and mosquitoes. The sun can be intense so bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Consider buying a traditional Khmer scarf (krama) to keep the sun off your neck. Carry a raincoat during the wet season (May-October), though you will probably only need it in the afternoon. You should have mosquito repellent for sunrise and sunset hours. War practical shoes for climbing narrow steps and walking on uneven surfaces. For serious temple explorers, a flashlight, notebook and compass can come in handy. Books, refreshments, water, trinkets and snacks are available from small vendors throughout the Park.

Transportation

The temples are too far apart to make foot travel practical (though some hearty visitors are hiking it anyway). Transportation options include: two-person tuk-tuks (moto-romauk) average $10-$15/day, car taxis $20-$3-/day, motorcycle taxi (motodup) for $8-$10, bicycles for $2-$5/day.

To avoid misunderstandings, negotiate the details of the driver's services carefully - exact price, what time you expect the day to begin and end, availability during lunch and evening hours, limitations on your itinerary, different prices for small/large circuits, etc.

There are always additional fees for transport to distant temples off the main circuits (e.g. Banteay Srei, Phnom Kulen, Kbal Spean, Koh Ker.) 

 

 

Cambodia Visas & Entry Requirements

A passport with at least six-month validity is required. A visa is required for most nationalities. One-month visas are available at Cambodian embassies, and much more conveniently, on arrival at the international airports in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh as well as at most overland international border crossings with Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. Tourist visa: US$30. Business visa: US$35, (sometimes more at overland crossings.) Diplomatic, Official, Courtesy, and Special visas are issued free of charge. One 4x6 photo is required. Tourist visas can be extended for one month, but only one time. Business visas can be renewed up to a year at a time, without limitation of number of renewals.

Siem Reap

Siem Reap is one of the cities of Cambodia. The main body of Siem Reap stretches about 3-4 km north/south along the Siem Reap River and roughly 5-6 km east/west along Rte. #6. The airport is 6km west of town. a 20 minutes ride from town center but some time it might takes 30 minutes if the traffic busy. The Angkor Park entrance lies about 5km north of town and there are no hotels within the park. Almost all tourist services are in or near town and spread relatively evenly across the area, though there are some particularly popular areas such as the Old Market/Pub street area is the tourist center for shopping, dining and nightlife. There are plenty of restaurants and shops around this area. There are lots of new boutiques, hotels and guesthouses which range between $1 to $150 around this area as well. Dozens of hotels and restaurants stretches along Airport Road and road to Angkor. Budget accommodations in the Wat Bo area and the Taphul Village area. A large variety of mid-range hotels, restaurants and shopping along Sivutha Blvd through town.

Cambodia Fast Fact File

Country Name: The King-dom of Cambodia
Country Name In Khmer Language: Kampuchea
Motto: Nation - Religion - King
Capital City: Phnom Penh
Language: Khmer (Cambodian). Some English and French spoken.
Population: 14.86 million (2012 est.)
Major Cities: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Battambang and Kompong Cham.
Ethnic Group: Khmer, ethnic-Chiness, Muslim, ethnic-Vietnamese, several ethnic minorities in the northeast.
Bordering Countries: Thailand, Laos, Vietname
Intl Airports: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap
Religion: Theravada Buddhism, Islam, Anismism
Land Area of Cambodia: 181,035 square kilometers
Land Area of Siem Reap: 10,299 square kilometers
Currency: Riel (US$1= 4000R)
Voltage: 220v/50Hz
Time: GMT + 7 hours
Country Calling Code: 855
Siem Reap Code Area: 63
Internet TLD: .kh   

Climate

Practically speaking, Cambodia has four seasons in the year:
1: December - February, cool and dry.
2: March - May, hot and dry.
3: June - August, hot and rain.
4: September - November, cool and diminishing rain.

Though cool-dry season is considered the most comfortable time of year, the monsoon season has its advantages for the temple visitor. The countryside and temples are particularly picturesque. The rice paddies and vegetation are green and lush and the moats and reflecting pools around the temples are full. The colorful mosses and lichens and the colors in the wet temple stone stands much brighter and more apparent when wet.