POST DOSTĘPNY TAKŻE PO POLSKU
Cambodia is the third country on our route this year. We've been tempted by our friends' stories about the huge complex of temples Angkor Wat, near Siem Reap. According to travel guides it's one of the most interesting places in this part of Asia. Actually it's a conjunct of the Khmer kingdom remnants scattered around the jungle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, described as the largest sacral building in the world. We resereved one day for visiting Angkor Wat – and it'll turn out a good decision. The next day we'll head for the capital, Phnom Penh – a city that is developing fast as if it wanted to catch up for lost time.
Cambodia, in comparison to
Malaysia and Thailand, is a small country. It covers an area slightly
bigger than 180.000 sq. km, inhabited by 14 million people. Polish
citizens need a visa to enter the country. It can be obtained through
the Internet for an additional fee of $5 but some websites advise
against such a solution as risky. That's why we decide to buy a visa
„on arrival” at the aiport in Siem Reap.
Good to know
*Money: new riel (khr);
Polish National Bank's rate as of November 2, 2011: 100 khr = 0.0785
PLN. Inflation is galloping, eg. a bottle of fanta costs 3000 riels.
It reminds us immediately the old days, when in Poland we too
operated thousands of zlotys making purchases and each of us used to
earn millions...
*U.S. dollars are in
common use. Everywhere, not only in hotels and restaurants. It's a
natural thing that the prices are set in this currency and no one
wonders at it. However, it's good to have some riels for small
purchases. 1 dollar is usually converted into 4000 khr. If something
costs 3000 khr they will ask for „one dollar” because there are
no coins in use. If you don't want to overpay it's better to ask for
small things' prices in a local currency.
*Forums and guides write
that there are not ATMs here but we had no problems with withdrawing
money in Phnom Penh. In the capital as well as in Siem Reap there are
plenty of exchange points. They look exactly like our market
exchanges many years ago. You don't need to be afraid to exchange
money there but it's still better to show to the staff that you know
how to check the banknotes. Sweet memories...
*Time: add 6 hours to the
time in Poland.
*Electricity: 230 V,
outlets the same as in Poland.
We fly to Siem Reap from
Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, November 19, at 6.45, from LCCT Terminal,
with Air Asia. Check-in runs smoothly. Actually we just leave our
luggage at the counter because we do the check-in by ourselves, first
downloading a QR code and then scanning it with a special reader
which spits out our boarding passes. NB: we tried to do the same at
the Balice airport but we weren't able to do it. We were said that
it's better not to risk such a solution because there might not be an
Internet connection all over the airport. That said, the airport
worker printed our boarding passes for us.
We land in Siem Reap at
7.50. Some travel guides warn that the officials would try to force
you to pay higher fees than required, that's why we prepare exact
amount of money, $20, along with our applications (note: a photo is
necessary). They pass through the hands of a dozen of officials.
After a while our visas are ready. At the passport control they scan
our fingertips, both hands! What for?! I believe that even the Polish
government doesn't have all my fingerprints. This procedure frightens
me a bit, but what can I do, there's no way back.
Just as we leave the
terminal we are approached by a man from the taxi company. Don't
worry, they have a similar system as in India: you pay a set price in
advance. But unlike in New Delhi there's only one company here, the
prices is $7.
It should be noted that
there's no information office in Siem Reap. Going there, you should
plan your stay well.
Siem Reap is one of the
biggest cities in Cambodia which combined with the proximity of the
most famous attraction in the country gives relatively high room
rates. A decent double room in the center, with air-con, fan, TV sat,
bathroom and fridge costs $12-15. Cheaper guesthouses can be found in
the outskirts but beware: sometimes they are also brothels.
After checking in and
refreshing ourselves up a bit we leave for Angkor Wat. A taxi driver
that brought us from the airport arranged his brother's tuk-tuk for
us. He'll spend with us a few hours and his vehicle is at our
disposal. It seems a bit annoying that everyone you meet treats you
as a potential source of additional income but on the other hand you
don't need to haggle all the time and it saves you a lot of time and
effort.
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| Angkor Wat, Cambodia's most famous attraction |
Some tourists prefer a
more active way to get to the temples: they rent a bicycle from their
hostel for $2-3 and thus travel around the complex. Another option is
to rent a motorbike with a driver.
We read that Angkor Wat is
one of the most interesting places in this part of Asia. It's located
only 7 km from Siep Reap. Actually it's a conjunct of the Khmer
kingdom remnants scattered around the jungle, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, famous as extensive, the largest sacral building in the world.
In fact, there are three complexes: Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm.
Angkor was built in twelfth centry to the Hindu deity Vishnu with whom the comtemporary king Surjawarmana II identified himself. About 5 thousand craftsmen and 50 thousand workers were employed here. It took them 37 years. One of the most interesting things to see is a relief depicting scenes from Indian epics „Ramayana”and „Mahabharata” which extends for almost a kilometer of length. The most famous is the relief presenting gods and Devas churning the Sea of Milk to get the elixir of immortality from its depths (in renovation during our visit). All the reliefs show a great care for the details. It's difficult not to admire them even today although the buildings are in ruins.
One of the successing
kings, Jayavarman VII transformed the building into a Buddhist temple
but after his death the Buddhist symbols were destroyed and a Hindu
character has been restored to the place. Some elements have been
bricked up at that time.
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| My very own ticket |
One-day entry to the
temples costs $20. A ticket can be purchased only at a checkopint on
the main road, some 3-4 km from the complex.
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| Refreshing juice from a fresh coconut |
We go to a small Catholic church on 027 Street, 50 meters off Arun Guesthouse. On Saturday evenings, sometimes on Sunday mornings a service in English is celebrated here, but not every week.
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| A Catholic church in Siem Reap |
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| We pass hundreds of poor wooden houses built on stilts along the way from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh |
More photos can be found
HERE