CAMBODIA TRIP PREPARATION

Transcription

1 CAMBODIA TRIP PREPARATION INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS You are responsible for purchasing flights to and from the start and end location of your trip. Please note that the tour begins in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and ends in Siem Reap, Cambodia. GoPhilanthropic and Discovering Deaf Worlds will need copies of all of your flight itineraries in order to arrange your airport pick-ups and drop-offs. Please note your name and date of travel and send to Please be careful when booking your flight s as the times of arrival and departure can be late at night or in the early hours of the morning. This can cause confusion in planning for the correct dates. If you are not able to arrive on the assigned arrival day or depart on the assigned departure day for your quoted trip, you are responsible for any additional costs to coordinate with the rest of the group. We are happy to assist you in purchasing your long-haul flights to and from Cambodia. Please contact us for more information at ddwjourneys@discoveringdeafworlds.org. PASSPORT & VISA REQUIREMENTS Please make sure your passport is valid more than 6 months from the date of arrival in each country you are visiting. We recommend that you bring a photocopy of your passport in your luggage as you travel. Also be sure that there is sufficient space in your passport to allow for all immigration procedures. At least 3 blank pages are required due to the full-page visas used in South East Asia. Most nationalities are eligible for a one-month visa upon arrival to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. The cost is $20 for a tourist visa. Bring payment in US dollars and one passport photo. -1-

2 Please be aware that sometimes there can be long queues at the airport when obtaining a visa upon arrival. A Cambodia electronic-visa can also be obtained by accessing the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Kingdom of Cambodia at Even when organizing your own visas from home or other countries, it is a requirement to provide us with your full passport and visa information prior to entering Cambodia. It is necessary for the airlines to issue an air-ticket and required by many hotels for their check-in procedure. AIRPORT TAX There is no longer a fee for the airport tax or international departure tax. ARRIVAL TIPS After collecting your luggage and completing the immigration and customs procedures, you will walk through the exit gate. Take your time to look for the welcome sign with DDW s logo. If you are approached by anyone offering transport services DO NOT follow him or her. Avoid revealing your full names to strangers on the airplane as they might make a fake welcome signboard with your name. Please keep a copy of your completed Immigration and Customs Form as you will need to present it at Immigration upon departure. LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE Each airline has its own luggage allowance policy. Excess baggage is charged at a specific rate depending on the individual route. You are advised to check your airline prior to travel since prices and regulations are subject to change. All airlines now stipulate that liquids, gels and/or aerosols in HAND LUGGAGE must be in completely closed containers of 3 oz/100ml or less (even if the container is partially filled). When flying into or within Cambodia, you will probably be given baggage claim tags (they will be stuck to the back of your ticket). Keep these, as you will need to show them when leaving the airport. For flights from your home city to/from Cambodia, please contact your airline prior to travel for luggage allowance regulations

3 IMMUNIZATIONS Prior to leaving we will provide you with a list of local emergency contact phone numbers should anything unexpected arise during your trip. You are advised to consult with your doctor or local health department to discuss immunization requirements. For further information, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at No vaccinations are required for entry into Cambodia. However, it is recommended that all visitors be vaccinated against typhoid, tetanus, and hepatitis A and B. Prescription drugs are easily obtainable in urban areas. Precautions against malaria, such as doxycycline or larium, are not necessary for Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, but are recommended when visiting more remote provinces. We strongly recommend bug repellent and a good first aid kit. TRAVEL INSURANCE Travelers are highly recommended to purchase trip and travel insurance. Trip insurance covers the cost of your trip should you be forced to cancel for objective reasons such as a death of a family member or accident BEFORE you start the trip. The tour operator will still apply the full charge and the insurance company will cover the loss. Whereas, travel insurance covers costs such as emergency and medical evacuation, hospital fees, property loss, cancellation of a scheduled trip due to weather DURING the trip, and so forth. Coverage for trip and travel insurance varies depending on the policy purchased. For more information on purchasing travel insurance please click on our Travel Insurance link at CURRENCY Cambodia s currency, the Riel, exchanges at a rate of approximately 4,000 to the US Dollar. However, the US Dollar is the preferred currency and is widely accepted. Bring clean bills in small denominations ($1 and $5) for making purchases. Credit cards are widely accepted in Phnom Penh and Siem Riep. For tuk tuks, local food stalls and small purchases, it is best to use Riel. We do not recommend using traveler s checks as they are difficult to exchange. Credit card advances for Mastercard, JCB, and Visa are available at the Cambodian Commercial Bank on the corner of Pochentong and Monivong streets in Phnom Penh. There are now a growing number of ATMs in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap where currency withdrawal in USD is an option

4 LANGUAGE AND RELIGION Khmer is the written and spoken language of Cambodia, which is the most ethnically homogeneous nation in Southeast Asia. English is the first language among young students, while French is spoken by the older generations. Cambodian Sign Language is currently under development. Before 1997, there were no Deaf schools and there was no sign language used. The country remains a predominately agrarian society with 80% of the population living in the countryside working in agriculture and fishing. More than 95 percent of its 14 million citizens are ethnic Khmers. The Vietnamese form the largest minority group, followed by Chinese Cambodians and Cham. Remote mountain areas are home to a number of smaller ethnic groups. Cambodia's official religion is Theravada Buddhism and their faith has a formative influence on everyday life. Historically the religions of Cambodia have been strongly influenced by the early Indian and Chinese cultures. Buddhism was introduced in Cambodia in the 12th century and has been the national religion since There are also 500,000 Muslims, mostly of Cham origins. COMMUNICATIONS The country code for Cambodia is +855, the city code for Phnom Penh is (0)23, and the city code for Siem Reap is (0)63. For mobile phones, SIM cards can be bought at the airport and used in 10 days during your stay in Cambodia. International phone calls can be made from most hotels and post offices, though charges are quite high. SKYPE is readily available from most Internet cafes. For those with iphones and Blackberries, we suggest buying a one-month international plan to reduce costs. For those with iphones it is suggested you turn off your data roaming to avoid large roaming charges. Many hotels have wireless (wi-fi) internet access available in the lobby or business center. There are many cheap Internet cafes in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and a couple in smaller towns as well. Be careful to not save your password or sensitive information on public computer terminals. ELECTRICITY Electricity in Phnom Penh and most of Cambodia is 220V, 50Hz. Electric power sockets generally fit two round pins. Three-pin plug adaptors are usually provided by hotels, otherwise just ask the reception. In all countries, protect sensitive electronic equipment like laptops from power fluctuations by using a surge protector. Many of the hotels provide hairdryers, but if you bring your own, make sure it is able to accept up to 240 volts. Don t bother to bring your 110 volt hairdryer

5 For any other dual voltage ( volts) electric items you will need a Cambodia plug adaptor only not a voltage converter. Tri-band cell phones, digital cameras, I-pods, razors and laptop computers are almost universally dual voltage, but check to be sure. Buying voltage converters for 110 volt electronics is not advised. WHAT TO BRING It can often be difficult to decide what to pack. Here is a useful checklist of items to think about taking. Remember to pack light! You can always have the hotels do laundry while you are there. Passport Valid at least 6 months from departure date with at least three empty pages available Trip and Travel Insurance (optional) Be sure of validity for the whole journey Health Insurance (optional) include 24 hour emergency contact number and next of kin contact details Additional Passport Photos These will be needed for identification passes and certain overseas visas List of emergency contact number of the GoPhilanthropic/DDW ground tour operator Debit/Credit Cards with cancellation numbers for emergency Contact Information for friends and family (with international dialing codes) Air tickets and tour itinerary Money Belt Ensure that it is discrete and comfortable to wear First Aid kit - Basic travel kit to cover minor mishaps which may occur along the way Personal Medication* with international doctors note to ensure easy passage of medication across international borders Strong bug repellent and Sun block High UVA protection is ideal Sunglasses & sunhat Comfortable walking shoes and waterproof sandals Long Sleeve Top and Trousers For protection from mosquitoes and the sun Comfortable lightweight, loose fitting, cotton clothing Small daytime Backpack Camera & Extra Batteries Plug/Electricity adaptor and surge protector US Bills in small denominations ($1, $5) Copies of your passport, insurance and credit cards to keep with your luggage *Note: While imported hygiene and beauty products are available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, you d be wise to pack staples like sunscreen, contact lens solution, tampons and mosquito repellent. It is advised that your prescription medication is in its original box with the label along with the prescription to avoid any complications that may arise at Customs. Many medicines are available in Southeast Asia without prescriptions. If you plan to purchase medication, choose a reputable supplier and read the labels carefully, particularly paying attention to expiration date

6 CLIMATE Cambodia has a tropical climate that is warm and humid with two distinct seasons: rainy season and dry season. During the peak of the rainy season (June to August), the humidity is higher and the temperatures can reach above 30 C (86 F). From September to early November it is wet and slightly cooler. Seasonal flooding in Phnom Penh and the rest of Cambodia occurs in late July and early August, which may cause disruption to travel. The dry season (November to May) is pleasant from November to February and becomes hotter from March to May, where temperatures can soar as high as 38C (100F). TIPPING Please note that your driver and activity tour guide tips are included in your rate. Please consult with your trip director for details. You are free to tip additionally if you wish. Below are some suggested tipping guidelines: Party of 1-2 people: US$10-15 / day for guide and US$5-7 / day for driver Party of 3-6 people: US$15-20 / day for guide and US$7-10 /day for driver Party of 7-14 people: US$20-25 / day for guide and US$10-12 / day for driver Party of 15+ people: US$25-30 / day for guide and US$12-15 / day for driver For biking trips, as the guide and driver work harder than a regular cultural tour, you may consider tipping more e.g. US$5-10 / day for guide and US$3-6 / day for driver in addition to the above tipping guidelines. Most hotels and restaurants levy a 5% service charge, but this may not go directly to the staff. A tip of 5-10% of the total bill is appreciated. If you stay a couple of days in the same hotel, you can tip the hotel cleaner US$2-3 / day. For hotel porters, US$2-3/time/room is acceptable for those who have escorted you to your room and/or delivered your baggage. TIME ZONES The time in Cambodia is 12 hours ahead of Easter Standard Time (EST) or 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Please note that Cambodia does not have daylight saving hours. Cambodia is 11 hours ahead of EST during spring and summer and 12 hours ahead during fall and winter, 7 hours ahead of GMT, and 2 hours behind Tokyo. EATING AND DRINKING Khmer cuisine is closely related to neighboring countries, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, although it is not as spicy. Rice and fish are the basic food items among the Khmer people. Famous classical Khmer specialty widely enjoyed up to now are: Nhaom (a popular cuisine comprised of vinegar, dried fish & herb, and vegetable); Kor Kor (normally cooked with fish and a mix of vegetables); Amok (fish or chicken curry, - 6 -

7 cooked in a banana leaf); Samlor Machu (vinegar soup cooked with fish and mixed with a variety of vegetables). Other dishes cooked with pork, chicken, beef are also the common. Chinese and Western menus are commonly available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. There is still a strong French colonial influence, with lots of bread shops selling filled baguettes for breakfast. Drink only sealed bottle water. It is not wise to drink tap water and it is advised to avoid ice. Avoid eating uncooked vegetables or peeled fruit in food stands or from street vendors. BEHAVIOR, CLOTHING AND CUSTOMS In general, any kind of revealing clothing (bathing suits, tank tops, etc) when not on the beach is unacceptable. Shorts are generally fine as long as they aren t too short. When visiting pagodas and temples, shorts and tank-tops are unacceptable. Your knees and shoulders must be covered. Footwear and socks must be removed in pagodas. Shoes are usually removed upon entering private homes as well. Public displays of affection between men and women may embarrass your host. On the other hand, it s perfectly normal for a pair of men or a pair of women to link arms or hold hands. When greeting people in Cambodia, it s customary to use the sampeah gesture: bring your palms together at chest level and bow slightly in the direction of your acquaintance. Beckoning someone by crooking your finger is considered rude. The correct way to call someone over is to extend your hand with the palm down and flap your fingers towards your wrist. Fixed prices are the norm in department stores, but at most other places bargaining is to be expected. Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it. As always it is polite to ask permission before taking photographs, particularly monks. SAFETY TIPS Never venture off the path into forest or dry paddy fields even when you're at the Angkor temples. Avoid solo travel during the day outside provincial towns, and in all parts of the country at night. Street crime remains a problem in the capital cities - take particular care at night, and travel by taxi or tuk -tuk, rather than motorbike or cycle. Violent attacks are rare, though theft is a problem. When possible, secure your valuables in the hotel safe. Do not leave your wallet or mobile phone in the back pocket of your pants or anywhere else that s easily reached (like an outer zip-up compartment on a backpack). Be especially vigilant in markets and other crowded places like ports and train stations. Pick-pocketing and purse-snatching are more of a problem in popular tourist areas in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap

8 SHOPPING Khmer people can be very persistent when trying to make money, especially around tourists whom they perceive as very wealthy. People will probably attempt to overcharge you. Rather than becoming irate, join the game and bargain with a smile! Khmer people are not ruthless hagglers and smiles and jokes are the best way to agree on a good price. If you being followed by street vendors and do not wish to make a purchase, often the best course of action is to say no firmly and politely, and continue on your way. Do not hesitate or linger, as this will encourage the seller to try and engage you further. If you choose to ship items home, we highly recommend that you buy shipping insurance and check the policy details. As shops are not responsible for damages incurred en route, it s better to be safe than sorry. Our guides cannot accept responsibility for any misrepresented or faulty goods. We do not take responsibility for following up on merchandise that you choose to ship home. Our guides only make suggestions, not guarantees. FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS New Year s Day - Jan 1st International Women s Day - Mar 8th Cambodian New Year - Apr 13-15th Royal Ploughing Day Ceremony - Apr/May Labour Day - May 1st Visaka Buja Day (Birth of Buddha) - May 16th International Children s Day - Jun 1st Constitution and Coronation Day - Sep 24th Phchum Ben Day (Feast of the Ancestors) - Sep/Oct (two days) Paris Peace Agreement - Oct 23rd King s Birthday - Oct 30 - Nov 1st Independence Day - Nov 9th Water Festival - Nov (three days) UN Human Rights Day - Dec 10 th - 8 -

9 REGIONAL OVERVIEW Torn by a decade of civil war, Cambodia has only recently experienced peace and is beginning to establish itself as an attractive tourist destination. As one of the poorest countries in the world, Cambodia has relied heavily on tourism for its economic growth. The government of Cambodia has given priority to developing the country s cultural and eco-tourism industries to facilitate economic development and help reduce the widespread poverty. The main tourist attraction of Cambodia is the ancient archeological ruins of Angkor, a World Heritage Site. However, the natural beauty of this country extends beyond Angkor and includes virgin forests, waterfalls, and remote hill-tribe villages in the northeastern provinces, making this a promising adventure and ecotourism destination. The southern region s coastline is regaining popularity for its white sand beaches in Sihanoukville and surrounding historical sites. The eccentric capital city of Phnom Penh is re-establishing itself as the business and social hub of the country. Phnom Penh Before civil war broke out, Phnom Penh was nicknamed 'The Pearl of Asia' as it was considered one of the finest cities in the region. Located in south-central Cambodia, at the junction of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers, Phnom Penh has been Cambodia s capital for most of the last six centuries. Having recovered from the dark legacy of the Pol Pot era in the 1970 s, Phnom Penh today is a vibrant economic center with a population of two million. Cafes, restaurants and hotels line the riverfront while boutique shops and art galleries sprout along smaller side streets. Even as it undergoes urban development, Phnom Penh has retained much of its old world charm as evident in the French colonial architecture and traditional ornate temples. Rich in history, the city offers a number of cultural and historical sites including the National Museum, Royal Palace, and Silver Pagoda. To truly understand the country s recent history and the people s mindset, a visit to the Tuol Sleng Prison is a must. Also known as S-21, this former school became a torture center and has now been preserved as a museum. On the outskirts of Phnom Penh are the Killing Fields, an area where some 17,000 men, women and children were murdered and dumped in mass graves. Not for the faint-of heart, these sites are sobering reminders of the Khmer Rouge s brutality and of the rest of the world s failure to intervene. Kep In contrast to the popular and bustling beachfronts in Sihanoukville, Kep is a small and low-key beach town. From the early 20th century through the 1960s, Kep was Cambodia's premier beach town, drawing weekend holiday-makers to its picturesque shores lined with ritzy ocean side villas of the privileged class

10 Nowadays, the old villas are in ruins, and the town is known more for its oceanfront seafood stalls than for its beaches, which are narrow and stony, offering just a few slivers of sand. Nearby attractions include Bokor Hill Station, a mountaintop collection of colonial buildings (hotel, casino, church, and royal residence) constructed by French authorities in the early 1920s as a retreat for French officials and foreign visitors to old Indochina. Siem Reap Siem Reap, located in north-west Cambodia, is a charming provincial town defined by a cluster of villages, Chinese-style shop houses, and French-colonial architecture. As a gateway to the ancient temple ruins of Angkor, Siem Reap has experienced exponential growth in recent years with hotel and resort developments turning this once sleepy village into a tourism mecca. Activities to experience in the town of Siem Reap include watching a traditional Cambodian apsara dance performance and participating in a Khmer cuisine cooking class. The rural outskirts offer plenty of interesting activities such as visiting craft shops and silk farms, taking a bike ride through the scenic countryside, or participating in a humanitarian assistance program by making a pump-well donation or helping children at an orphanage. Temples of Angkor Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins whose artistic and archaeological significance and visual impact place it alongside other wonders of the world like the Pyramids, Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal. Built between 7 to 11 centuries ago the temples about 100 of which are still standing were devoted to Buddha and Hindu deities. Within the fortified city of Angkor Thom lies the Bayon temple, the third tier of which is lined by more than 200 enormous carved faces that stare down from 54 towers. Other highlights include the Buddhist temple of Ta Prohm, which has not been restored and looks just as it did when French explorers stumbled upon it in the 1860s, and Angkor Wat, a vast temple complex dedicated to Vishnu in the early 12th century. Many of the temples are covered with fantastic carvings depicting religious stories and scenes from daily life. You will be issued an Angkor Pass which is similar to an entrance ticket but has your photo on it. The pass allows you access all the temples in the complex. Make sure you keep your pass in case you would like to explore the temples on your leisure time (so long as the date is still valid). Landscape Cambodia shares borders in the north with Laos and Thailand, in the east with Vietnam and in the southwest with the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia s landscape is a blend of rice paddies, sugar palm plantations and remote jungles. While most visitors come to see the marvels of Angkor Wat, Cambodia offers plenty of natural beauty for those willing to explore

11 Bordering the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest, Cambodia offers some lovely beaches, while the north and northeast are mountainous. Life in Cambodia has always revolved around two bodies of water: the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake. Tonle Sap, the name of which means Great Lake, is Southeast Asia s largest freshwater lake and is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. History Cambodia has had a tumultuous history, from being the most powerful kingdom in Southeast Asia between the 9th-12th centuries to the recent tragic genocide where the population was nearly annihilated by Pol Pot in the 1970s. The Kingdom of Funan covered much of present-day Cambodia from the first to sixth centuries, to be replaced by the even more powerful Kingdom of Angkor in the eighth century. The legacy of this era is what draws most visitors to Cambodia; from the 9th to 13th centuries Angkor s rulers presided over the construction of one of the most astonishing architectural achievements in the world. While more than 100 temples remain, these magnificent structures are but a mere shadow of the fabulous religious capital that once stood here. Hundreds of wooden palaces, houses and public buildings are long gone. In 1864 the French added Cambodia to their colonies in Indochina. Independence was declared in In 1969 the war in neighboring Vietnam spilled over into Cambodia, as American and South Vietnamese troops invaded to attack the northern Vietnamese forces operating in Cambodia. On April 17th, 1975, a Cambodian resistance group, the Khmer Rouge, took control of the capital, and proceeded to implement one of the most destructive campaigns of social re-engineering ever recorded. As the Khmer Rouge wished to create a peasant-led, agrarian cooperative, Cambodia s cities were forcibly emptied and people were resettled in rural labor camps. Anyone with foreign ties or education was liable to be executed. By the time Vietnam invaded Cambodia in 1978 and overthrew the Khmer Rouge, between one in four and one in six Cambodians were dead. In the middle of 1993 the United Nations oversaw elections in Cambodia. The Khmer Rouge s leader, Pol Pot, died of natural causes in April