Language
Posted by Editor in Cambodian Language
The Cambodian Language, also called Khmer, is thought to be one of the oldest languages in South East Asia. The written Khmer script looks beautiful and has ancient origins, it is related to the ancient Brahmi script from India. Very old Khmer inscriptions have been found dating from around the 7th century.
Khmer is a non tonal language, but it is still impossibly difficult for English speakers to master the pronunciation of Khmer vowels and consonant sounds which are simply not used in English.
Did you know Khmer has the longest alphabet in the world?
Khmer alphabet has 74 letters compared to 26 in English. Khmer has 33 consonants, some of them in tongue twisting combinations, and 24 vowels and diphthongs.
While you are in Cambodia you can buy a pretty cool t-shirt with the letters of the Khmer alphabet- the consonants on one side and the vowels on the other.
It is not necessary for travelers to know any of the local language, as most Cambodians working in the tourism industry know at least a little English.
Cambodians do not expect you to know any of their language, so they will certainly be impressed and supportive if you try a few Khmer words, even if your pronunciation is terrible.
Basic Khmer Phrases
how to say hello
in Cambodia… sua s’dei
or… johm riab sua
thank you…aw kohn
yes… jaa (used by women)
yes… baat (used by men)
goodbye… lia suhn hao-y
you’re welcome… awt ei te / sohm anjoe-in
please… sohm
how are you?… niak sohk
sabaay te?
how much?… nih th’lay pohnmaan?
where is_?…. _neuv ai naa?
Accommodation in Cambodia
Posted by Editor in Cambodia Accommodation
Cambodia offers travellers a range of fantastic accommodation options, all of them excellent value!
The most affordable and popular travelers accommodation is the guesthouse. Guesthouses are usually family run, really clean and great, friendly atmosphere. Accommodation prices in Cambodia are almost always in US dollars.
A room in a Cambodian guesthouse starts at US$10- $15. Most guesthouse rooms have cable TV. Rooms with air-con and hot water usually cost a little extra. Don’t panic if all of the rooms with hot water are gone! When they say no hot water, what they really mean is- No hot water at night, but during the day the water that comes out of the tap is warm enough to shower comfortably.
Generally you do not need to book Cambodian guesthouse accommodation in advance, unless you are travelling in busy holiday periods, or want to be sure of certain comforts- like hot water and air-con, in which case it is wise to book in advance!. When you arrive in a new town, any moto or tuk-tuk driver will be happy to help you find accommodation, and even happier if you pick a place that gives him a nice commision for brining new guests. Just tell your driver where you would like to stay and how much you want to pay and they will drive you to suitable guesthouses. Don’t feel obliged to take the first place, keep looking untill you find somewhere you are happy with.
Staying in guesthouses is affordable and also a great way to meet the local people. Some guesthouses are so friendly you will feel like part of the family.
If you are looking for a little luxury, Cambodia’s popular destinations offer a great selection of luxury hotels. Spending around $50 per night for accommodation in Cambodia will have you living like a King or Queen in luxurious comfort.
A Note about Cambodian Toilets!
Toilets in hotels and guesthouse are usually western style. Many sewage systems in Cambodia cannot handle toilet paper- in guesthouses often there is a sign in the toilet asking you not to flush the paper, even in Western style toilets. If there is a bin beside the toilet that is usually where the toilet paper should go.
Squat toilets with a bucket and water to flush are common in restaurants in rural areas. Most restaurants have a bathroom- expect to pay 500 Riel if you are not eating or drinking there. Toilet paper is not usually provided so bring your own.
Transport in Cambodia
Posted by Editor in Cambodia Transport
Transport is slowly improving in Cambodia. The roads from Phom Penh to Siem Reap and to the south to Sihanoukville are sealed and quite good.
Throughout the rest of country, travel can be a real adventure, with bumpy dirt roads and unreliable vehicles, making for some great stories to tell when you get home.
Domestic flights are available from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Sihanoukville has an airport but it is not operational so you will have to travel there by road- but it is well worth the journey.
The safest way to travel overland in Cambodia is via bus or hire car. Driving a car yourself in Cambodia is not recommended due to chaotic traffic and insurance issues. If you are hiring a car a driver will usually be included. Hiring a car costs around $50 per day and a 4WD $50- $100.
No license is required to ride a motorcycle but due to the high number of accidents involving foreigners, renting motorcycles to foreigners is banned in some areas. Traffic drives on the right side of the road in Cambodia, road rules are usually ignored so use caution when crossing and expect traffic to come at you from all directions. Generally traffic is a lot slower and less hectic than in neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Vietnam.
Taxis are rare in Cambodia- there at least one taxi company in Phnom Penh- but you will rarely see one. Ask your guesthouse, hotel or tour guide if you would like to arrange a taxi trip, or just do what the locals do and take a tuk-tuk!
Motos are motorcycle taxis- you hop on the back of the bike- helmets are rarely provided but most Cambodian moto drivers will drive sensibly. Tuk tuks are a small trailer hitched to the back of a motorcycle- to provide transport for 2 people- sometimes more. Tuk tuks come in many shapes and sizes and are a fun way to travel- you get a cool breeze and a great view.
Most moto or tuk tuk drivers wear a baseball cap so are easy to recognize- most often they will find you- usually you will be inundated with offers of transport when you are just trying to walk.
Always arrange the price for the tuk-tuk trip before you get in. Hiring a tuk tuk for two for the day is around $15 depending on distance, short trips on a moto or tuk tuk are $1- $5. Some drivers double as tour guides.
The drivers who wait outside your guesthouse will charge a higher rate since they must pay the guesthouse to wait there. You will get a cheaper price if you go around the corner, but the drivers out the front of your guesthouse are usually reliable, recommended by the guesthouse owners and have a reasonable grasp of English. Use these drivers or one you trust if you are travelling at night.
If you are travelling long distances on dirt roads via moto or tuk tuk in the dry season, dust is a problem- bring sunglasses and a kama- Cambodian scarf, to wrap around your mouth when it gets really bad.
Cambodia’s train system is one of the worst in Asia- though travelling by train can be a real adventure for short trips. Trains travel around 20kms per hour, often break down, bridges may be in poor condition and tracks warped. If you wish to travel by train the trip to Sihanoukville is the most comfortable.
Bus transport in Cambodia is inexpensive, safe and reliable- pay extra for the more luxurious VIP bus.
Cambodia Currency and Costs
Posted by Editor in Cambodia Currency, Cambodia Travel Tips
Cambodia’s currency is the Riel.
The current exchange rate is around 1.00 USD = 4,000 Riel.
ATMs are easy to find in Cambodia.
ATM machines in Cambodia dispense US currency!
US dollars are accepted virtually everywhere in Cambodia.
Riel notes come in 50, 100, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10 000, 50 000 and 100 000. You probably won’t see the larger notes because US dollars are generally used for larger purchases.
Cambodia is a coinless currency. US coins are not used. When you pay in US dollars,
your change is usually a mix and match of US dollars and Riel.
It is best to carry both dollar and Riel. Sometimes it is cheaper for you to pay in dollars, sometimes in Riel. It is usually better to pay in Riel for cheaper items such as street food and market crafts.
These days it’s easy to find an ATM in Cambodia.
About 5 years ago there were hardly any ATMs in the whole of Cambodia. Lucky for you, in 2008 you won’t have any trouble finding an ATM in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap or Sihanoukville. You can withdraw cash from foreign accounts with a visa or mastercard. ANZ Royal ATMs are usually reliable, but don’t wait until you are down to your last dollar, occasionally you might find an ATM is out of service, or ran out of money on Sunday afternoon. ATMs can also be found in Battambang, Bantey Mean, Kampong Cham. If you are travelling to a remote area- take cash.
For a full list of ANZ ATMS in Cambodia visit this site….
http://www.anzroyal.com/importantinfo/countrybriefs/atmlocations.asp
You can live very comfortably in Cambodia for a budget of around US$25- $50 per day. Decent guesthouse accommodation in Cambodia costs around $10 per night, or $15 for air-con rooms. Guesthouses in Cambodia usually have a restaurant, and all the food you eat will go on your bill. You will pay for all your accommodation and food when you leave- you will end up eating in your guesthouse often because it is so convenient, and you will always be surprised at how inexpensive the bill is when you leave.
Change is often an issue in Cambodia. Smaller shops and restaurants, or market stalls may not be able to change your $50 note. When you are changing money get a decent amount of $20, $10 and $5. $50 notes are really only useful for paying hotels, up market restaurants, and for more extravagant shopping trips.
Bartering is possible for most things in Cambodia. The purpose of bartering is to find a price you are both happy with, not haggling your way to the lowest price possbile all of the time, which can soon become exhausting. Bartering for goods at the market is customary; bartering for food at food stalls is possible but not necessary considering the prices are already very inexpensive. Keep in mind that many businesses in Cambodia have very small profit margins. Bartering for food might save you a dollar or two, however that money could have bought a meal for the stall holder’s whole family.
Tipping is not expected in Cambodia, however wages are low, and service is very often absolutely excellent due to the traditional Khmer commitement to hospitality. If you have experienced excellent service try to leave a tip, even if you can only afford a dollar or less, it will be appreciated. The daily minimum wage in Cambodia in 2008 is around US$1.74, so a tip of $1 might be more than half a day’s wages. Consider tipping tour guides and drivers and the staff who clean your room. It is customary to make a small donation when you visit a temple or wat, especially if a monk has shown you around.
