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Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia of incredible beauty, with famous breathtaking temples, fertile plains dotted with rice fields, and a history unlike any other. The dominant religion is Buddhism, which places value on hospitality and kindness. Each year, Cambodia draws millions of tourists who come to enjoy the country's breathtaking sights and enter the walls of Cambodia's Angkor Wat - one of the seven wonders of the world.
But sadly, with all the beauty that Cambodia has captured throughout time, at one point in its history, darkness devoured this fragile nation. Once ruled by the French as part of French Indochina, Cambodian gained independence from European colonization at a price. Years of civil war, turmoil, and political corruption followed as Cambodia began governing itself. With bordering Vietnam at war with the United States, Cambodia was also slowly dragged into darkness when the Nixon administration conducted secret bombings of Cambodia during the early 1970s. This led to the rise of communist leader Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge entourage, who brought the country into the darkest days of its history. From 1975-1979, Cambodia turned into the infamous "Killing Fields" where nearly two million of Cambodia's six million population were killed.
Today, Cambodia still struggles to overcome its dark history. Landmines still scatter the nation, serving as dangerous remnants of war and resulting in an alarmingly high number of disabled people. In addition, due to its weak and sometimes ineffective government, several illegal activities such as children sex trade continue to operate within Cambodia's borders.
According to the latest US Census Report, there are approximately 200,000 Cambodian- Americans living in the United States today. The largest concentrations are located in Long Beach, California and Lowell, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, for many, the darkness of Cambodia's past has followed them to this "land of freedom." Cambodian-Americans still face a plethora of problems, such as high gang violence, teen pregnancy, social anxiety, poverty, and the highest illiterate rate among any group in the United States.
Each applicant must fully complete as follow:
- One visa application form
- One passport sized photograph (2 X2).
- Passport (valid for at least six months)
- Verbal Note
Air travellers enter Cambodia through Phnom Penh’s Pochentong Airport or SiemReapAngkorInternationalAirport. Both airports are quite modern. The two-storey one in Phnom Penh even offers a First/Business Class Lounge on the first floor at the International Terminal, near to the main boarding gates. Inside is an assortment of services and modern conveniences including wireless internet. Economy passengers can use the lounge for a nominal fee.
There are plenty of ways to move around Cambodia and the best choice for long distances is by air. There are good and frequent connections between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap on President Air and Siem Reap Airways.
Local buses can also provide an exciting means of travel and are good for those on a budget. The popular Mekong Express provides a luxury bus ride for just US$6 between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap every day. There are other companies offering the same route as well. You can also get between the capital and Siem Reap via boat in just 5 hours for about $US25.
The best way to see the country at your leisure is to hire a car and driver. You could drive yourself but it probably wouldn’t be as pleasant as having someone else drive you, especially through heavy traffic. Hiring a motorbike is great for short distances and to see rural areas, but be sure you know what you’re doing!
Getting around in cities is best done by motorbike or by hiring a cyclo or a taxi. Walking can be fun if it’s not too hot and you know the distances and where you are going. However, many of the sights and attractions in Siem Reap are too far apart for walking.
Climate
The climate can generally be described as tropical. As the country is affected by monsoon, it is hot and humid with an overage temperature around 27.C (80.F). There are two distinct seasons: the Rainy Season and the Dry Season. However, the Dry Season is divided into two sub-seasons, cool and hot. These seasons are:
The Rainy season:
From June till October 27-35.C (80-95.F)
The Dry season (cool):
From November till February 17-27.C (62-80.F)
The Dry season (Hot) :
From March till May 29-38.C (84-100.F)
Sightseeing
Cambodia is located in the heart mainland of Southeast Asia, which conjures images of a glorious and mysterious past and rich of the cultural heritages, particularly the world's renowned ancient temple city whose magical image draws ever-increasingly tourists from all over the world.
The divergent facets of the Kingdom provoke both the serious and casual traveler, generally charmed and sometimes bewildered by its mysteries. Not only Angkor Wat, Bayon, Taprohm, Sandstone of ancient holy places, the giant roots of ancient trees, the graceful shapes of Apsaras and some temples buried in the jungle, hill tribes settled in the remote areas, colorful pagodas, strings of pristine islands and the century beach, as part of cultural tour that Cambodia is proud of her presentation, but also the splendor of the Khmer civilization and its people who have shown their friendliness everywhere you move in the country.
For most, Cambodia first conjures up the legendary Angkor (the magnificent Empire erected by Kings between the 9th and 13th centuries) that continues to admiration from Khmers and foreigners alike. The humanity and disaster of the nature have failed to compromise the awe of Angkor. The temples remain with an enigmatic grandeur, as a testimony to the Empire that symbolized the country at the present day.
They are the silent witnesses to the perennial cycles of life, which occur with each rainy season. The Kingdom emerges from its lethargy and springs back to life. Clouds, swollen with moisture, burst their monsoon rains to fill in the Tonle Sap (Great Lake ) that bring over thousands tones of fresh water fishes.
Every year, the country is transformed in a nature cycle, which is unique to Cambodia. The flow of the mighty Mekong River swells until it forces the Tonle Sap to reverse its course, pushing up stream from the ancient capital. Every year, the reversal of the river is celebrated with the country's most spectacular Water Festival in November.
Tiime zone
GMT + 7
Language
Khmer is the official language of Cambodia and is used in most social contexts including government administration, education at all levels, and in the mass media. It is spoken by some 7 million people living there, roughly 90% of the population.
Regional differences are slight and normally mutually intelligible. Based on the dialect of the capital city of Phnom Penh, Modern Khmer is used throughout the nation and widely understood by its inhabitants. Much Khmer vocabulary used in literature, the military, and administration is borrowed from Sanskrit, or Pali. Due to years of French colonial rule, numerous French words have been incorporated into the language as well.
Currency
The currency of Cambodia is ... the USDollar. Of course, this is not officially so. But in fact it is at least in Phnom Penh and in Angkor almost all goods and services are calculated and paid for in the US currency. But there is a national currency, even though you may not use it at all during stays in Phnom Penh and Angkor. The national currency is the Riel and there are bank notes of 100, 200 and 500 Riel.
Essentials
Most Cambodians dress up casually except when they are attending formal events. It is common to see men and women using Krama, a Long, Narrow checked cotton cloth round their neck. The krama is just like a piece of clothe. Lightweight, loose-fitting, cotton clothing is recommended and long-sleeved items should be included for protection from mosquitoes and the sun. During the rainy season an umbrella is more convenient than a rain coast. A jacket may be needed in hotels and restaurants using excessive air-conditioning.
Internet
If you want to get online, do it in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap - here you're never far from an Internet shop or café and rates are under $1 per hour. In the provinces it's a different matter: even in Battambang and Sihanoukville access is limited, and expensive at around $3 per hour. One of the best ways to keep in touch while traveling is to sign up for a free email address that can be accessed from anywhere, for example Yahoo Mail, Hotmail or Skype. Once you've set up and send mail from any Internet Café, or from a hotel with Internet access.
There are Internet Service Providers in Cambodia such as Online, Telesurf, AngkorNet, Mekong Net, WirelessIp with reasonable price. Prepaid Internet Card is available at any shops and super markets and price is starting from $5 to $100.
Recently, there are many restaurants and café shop like the M Café, the Corner restaurant, Café Sentiment and more offers free internet access with WI-FI - there you just bring your own laptop only.
Health & Advice
Drink lots of water. Never drink tap water purified, bottled water is available everywhere.
Use an insect repellent against mosquitoes. It is the only way to be sure of protection against mosquito borne diseases. Since Cambodia has a hot and humid tropical climate, casual and light-weight clothing is best. Clothing made from natural fibers is the best option. A jacket might be needed on cool winter evenings or in hotels and restaurants using excessive air-conditioning. A hat and high-factor sun block is advisable as protection against the hot sun when sightseeing.
When visiting temples or pagodas, including those of Angkor Wat, shorts and T-shirts are acceptable. Shoes are generally removed at the entrance to pagodas. For visits to the Silver Pagoda, which is within the Royal Palace grounds, visitors are asked to dress more formally. Gentlemen are required to wear long trousers and ladies should wear long trousers or long skirts.
Standard film, (such as Kodak, FUJI or Konica 100, ), slide and digital camera memory are widely available. Photos are inexpensive to process in the country. Any specialized photo equipment should be brought with you. Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military installations is forbidden and discretion should be used when photographing people, particularly monks. The cheapest & best quality photo service in Phnom Penh is SPK Photo Studio FUJI Shop at Monivong Blvd.
Health Requirements
Although no vaccinations are officially required for entry to Cambodia, they are highly encouraged. Visitors are advised to check with their doctor or a travel immunization clinic regarding protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and B. Any essential medications should be brought with you as there is no guarantee they will be available in Cambodia.