Report: My first trip to Cambodia

It has been over a month since I retruned from my adventure, and after moving states for work within a week of my return, I finally have some time to comment on my adventure.

Itinerary:
PP-Mondulkiri (5 days) - PP - Kampot/Bokor - PP - SR (6 days)

Firstly, I loved the country. After spending hours and hours reseaching, it was everything i thought it would be. I should thank those on the forum who helped with advise (not including Ticotim).

PP -
California2 guesthoue - lived up to expectations and recommendations
Saw the usual attractions (S-21, killing fields, palace) and then just walked/tuk-tuked around.
Loved the hussle and bustle, the smelly fish and meat markets and spent way too much at the russian market. Great intro to the country.

Mondulkiri/Sen Monorom:
Long Vibol Guesthouse - Exceeded expectations
This five day excursion from PP was organised through a tour company (asiatravel or something) who linked us up with a 4WD, driver and a tour guide called Mr Sambol.
This tour was probably the most memorable experience of our short trip - and that includes Agkor.
Mr Sambol is the freindliest and most caring guide I have ever had. We had the flexibility to change the itinerary at any time, including adding stops along the way at Skuon, Memot, Phnom Pros/Prei etc.
The main activities included Bou Sraa, Pnong villages, tribal dances, jungle elephant treks and hikes in Keo Sema district.
To top it off dinners at local restaurants in SM and sampling local rice wine.
I could not recommend this tour and our guide any higher. Whilst this certainly was not a budget tour by Cambodian standards, it was worth every cent.

I will never forget the fours hours we were stuck, with a line of cars, on the road between Keo Sema and SM due to heavy rain. We had to wait to nightfall for the "elephant" - a military truck with excavator on the back - to pull us up the hill.

Kampot:
Bokor mountain lodge - pricey, but you get what you pay for.
Enjoyed walking around town and the trip to Bokor was interesting, but I felt like we were just ticking the box there.

SR:
Two Dragons - As good as research indicated. What a great guy Gordon is.
Drove out to Koh Ker via Bantay Srei, Kabal Spien and Beng Mealea and stayed overnight in local "guesthouse". Can highly recommend this drive - it is great to escape the tourists. We had Koh ker all to ourselves and only a trickle at Beng Mealea which we lost in the maze of ruins. The only downside is the electricity dying at 10pm and waiting for the mozzies to have their way with me.
Next 2.5 days were at the major temple sites - probably a half day too much - but was able to revisit some of my favourites - Ta Prohm and Bayon.
Last day was spent at the floating villages (not chong kneas) but the name eludes me at this time.

Overall a great experience in a wonderful country. Now I have to sort through the 1700 photos I took. Thanks to those who took the time to read this. Sorry it was so long.

Thanks for the report! Sounds like a great trip!

Sounds like you had a good time Koizi! Thanks for the write- up.

Hey HW,

Sorry we didn't catch up in SR. Ran out of time and energy.

Hope things are well in BTB. If I had more time in the country i would have visited.

Cheers

It really looks like a good trip.
I am going to Cambodja in december.
Could you tell me what average prices are for a descent room?

Greetz,
K.

Depends on your meaning of "decent". You can find clean, rat-free rooms with (fairly) hot water and A/C for $15-$25. I'll be there in December, too!

Koizi - you mentioned you used asiatravel as a tour company. Is that the same company as Sage Insight (I think they're "asiatravel-cambodia") If so, would you recommend them? I'm thinking of using them myself.

" I should thank those on the forum who helped with advise (not including Ticotim)."

A- Did I give bad advice?
B- I didnt give any advice?
C- I was a smart ass?
D- My advice was old?
E-Your just giving me trouble?
F- You got scammed?

Anyway....Thanks for sharing your trip, and posting a nice trip report, its always nice for people to refer to a personal opinion.

(I have only been to Angkor Wat for 2 days and 3 nights, so what can you expect from a 2 bit flashpaker jet setter bachelor anyway?)

Ticotim,

I would say B, a lot of C and a fair bit of E.

It's seems your memory is not as sharp as your wit.

Nothing serious though :)

Lisa bee wrote:
Q]Koizi - you mentioned you used asiatravel as a tour company. Is that the same company as Sage Insight (I think they're "asiatravel-cambodia") If so, would you recommend them? I'm thinking of using them myself. <hr></blockquote>

Yes that is them....sorry I couldn't remember them at the time of posting, was about to post their details. Andy is the best to speak to there.

http://www.asiatravel-cambodia.com<BR>Email: Andy@asiatravel-cambodia.com

[Tell them david sent you.]

There are others I looked into at the time such as "dancing roads" but they seemed more a lot more expensive, so I took a punt and it paid off. [sorry sonya]
The only part I would change was the added day hike in Keo Sema. It was certainly an experience, but not much wildlife (except a couple of wild monkeys in the trees way above), unless leeches count? It was certainly an experience though, spending the day with local "conservationists" in their barracks sharing two bottles of "wrestler wine" which tasted like shit!

Anyway, I would highly recommend them. Itineraries are flexible. For example we could chose all the stops on the way. Also one of the days the tribe was one elephant short (it didn't come from the other village - who knows what's going on there?) so we just switched the days around.

Mr Sambol is an excellent guide. He is not only extremely friendly and knowledgable, but actually cares about your trip and he is genuinely upset if you are not happy.
He runs a dirt bike hire shop in Sen Monorom and his wife (whom we had dinner with a few times) has a hairdressers in the main market area.

Hope that helps. PM me if you need more info.

Great info! Thank you :)