Defeat of Siam
May 12, 2011Everyone has heard of Cambodia and nobody asked me geography-related questions this time (though I suspect some people think that Cambodia = Vietnam = Laos). Instead, they asked me why I go to Cambodia and what's interesting there. I thought the answer was obvious. No I am not going there to build schools or toilets. It's sad that people know Cambodia as a poor country and nothing more. No one remembers its glorious past and the great empire who built Angkor in just 30 over years when cathedrals in Europe took a few hundred years.
Transport is the second most expensive item after entrance fee. Three day pass costs a whopping US$40 (don't think about evading, checks are stringent and it's not worth the risk). The temples are scattered so you would need to hire a tuktuk to get around. We went to Bakheng (green marker) for free sunset (US$4), followed by Roluos (yellow) the next day (US$8). We were feeling the pinch so we cycled to Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Keo and Ta Prohm (blue). 28km tired us out so we completed the red markers for US$18 on the last day. If you want to save, it is still possible to cycle to all the sites but only attempt to if you are really fit. Otherwise, bargain hard!
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