Ecstasy Journeys > Tomb Rider > Travel Knowhow & Updates
Greetings fellow travel junkies!
If you're reading this little newsletter, it's either because you've shown interest to our tour in Cambodia or have already confirmed your entry for the Tomb Ride tour. This newsletter contains information that will orient you with Cambodia, give you a few insights, as well as tell you all you need to know about our tour so that you can come prepared.
Gearing up for the trip
Just like you, we like to go on tour with an extra helmet, twelve extra pairs of socks and a spare set of dentures just in case we can't remember where we put them. But unfortunately in Cambodia, this is not going to be possible. As much as we've tried to make provisions, we can only accommodate one piece of luggage per person. So a large duffel bag, about 24-30" in length and 12" in height, per person is your allowance. Father-in-law steel trunks, cousin's VIP suitcase and plastic bags less than 50 microns are banned in Cambodia. Please take this seriously as it will be highly impossible for us to make provisions for extra luggage. If you're wondering why not organize a luggage van, we would love to, if the terrain would allow it. To help you with your packing list, go through the checklist.
After you've packed, you're going to want to make sure you've got a few documents in place - your passport, a valid one, and a visa. Yes, you do require a Visa to enter Cambodia. Visas are issued on arrival at Phnom Penh airport or you can get one electronically here. The Visa fee is 25USD, $20 if you do it on arrival. Do remember if you choose to get one on arrival have a couple of recent passport sized photos with you and some US currency. The officials can get quite cocky if you have no photos. A travel insurance is of utmost importance. Please ensure that you have one. Medical facilities in the country are not on par with what we're used to and in case of a serious emergency we will need a medevac to a good hospital. Motorcycle liability insurance is available for a nominal fee in Cambodia and we can arrange for it. Another document that will be handy is an International Drivers License or IDP. You can get one at your local RTO by filling required forms in triplicate.
With that out of the way, you're set to board that flight. But hold on, there's some spending money that you'll probably want to carry as well. The currency in Cambodia is Riel. It's the official currency. But hey, it's not the only currency. The Khmer people love their US dollars. And almost everything in Cambodia is bought using the dollar. However if you've to get change that's less than a dollar, you'll get it in riel. $1 = 4-5000 riel depending on exchange rate or the shop-keepers mood. There are ATM's that accept VISA/MASTER and AMEX cards, in almost all big cities in Cambodia, (We'll be passing through three) and they will spew out notes in USD.
Getting there
Cambodia's connected to the rest of the world via two major international airports, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. indiMotard's tour in Cambodia starts in Phnom Penh and that's where you're going to have to fly to. Indian carriers like Jet Airways, Kingfisher and Air India fly directly to Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. From any of these hubs, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia and Thai Airways offer cheap flights to Phnom Penh. From our experience, it's best to fly to Bangkok and onwards to Phnom Penh. indiMotard's tour kicks off on the 9th April 2011 with a mandatory orientation and dinner at 8pm, however riding starts only on the 10th morning. So we'd like for you to plan to get there and get rested in time for the orientation. We're back in Phnom Penh on April 16th, 2011 and officially your trip with us ends when you check out at noon on April 17th 2011. Please plan on departures accordingly. Also do let us know of your arrival and departure times so we can arrange for your airport pick-up and drop-offs.
On the Road
Once you're in Cambodia, you will realise that it's home away from home - at least when it comes to the traffic in the big cities. Organised chaos reigns and it's not uncommon for guys on their little moto-dops to slap a cop who's responsible for the traffic. But it's only the Khmer who can pull this off. As far as foreigners go, they're tired of being oppressed and disrespected, and will not spare the rod. Police here are very watchful of foreigners on motorcycles and will find any chance to haul you in. Obey basic traffic laws and traffic lights, it's not too much to ask for. Trust us, you will save yourself and the group tons of time and trouble and money.
Once you leave the city, speeds will increase, and traffic will thin out, and so will the roads. Like India, the highways are a melting pot of village activity. Vendors, dogs, cows and errant cyclists are object of caution. Like here, 'Might is right', and nobody questions that.
While riding in Cambodia we will cover different kind of terrain ranging from good tarmac, to broken tarmac, dirt roads and trails. Cambodia by nature is a flat country with plenty of water catchment areas. Lakes have roads running through them and roads are often turned to lakes. The hard shoulder is often the soft shoulder and the soft shoulder is most times a river. You get the picture right?
Cambodia is a country that's been ravaged by war and although it's mostly cleaned up, undetected land mines do exist. We will be riding a few trails in some remote areas and for your own safety, stay on the road or trail and do not venture out without a guide. WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS.
The Cambodia Experience
The land where life hasn't changed for thousands of year, Cambodia's been through a lot. Most recently being the genocide that was carried out by Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge through the 70's. You will bear witness to these atrocities when we visit the Toul Sleng museums and the killing fields. Moderate estimates say, of the 8 million population, over 3 million were systematically executed during this time. As a result you will realise that the Cambodia we will experience is still a few years behind from the rest of the world. It's a place where people still eat spiders use herbs to cure ailments. It adds to the charm of the place. It's why you can still find an undiscovered ruin and watch the sun sizzle into the giant Tonle Sap without a hoarding spoiling the picture postcard scenery. Local Khmer people are friendly and appear almost subservient. They love tourists, and love to try and speak to them as it's their only window to the outside world. In the big cities you will find locals trying to strike up conversations with you with their limited English skills. While in the more touristy areas there will be some of them trying to sell you paraphernalia and more often than not some sort of contraband. Drugs in Cambodia are cheap. Drugs in Cambodia are illegal. Drugs in Cambodia will get you in jail.
Staying in Cambodia
indiMotard has strived to give you the best of what is available to ensure your safety and comfort yet giving you a chance to experience the country without making the vacation too sterile. Right from guest houses to eco lodges and resorts, we've made every effort to ensure that you have the best on offer. Although, to put things in perspective. Cambodia is still developing and the concept of tourism, except in Siem Reap is unheard of. However clean sheets, hot showers and comfortable beds are a guarantee. Keeping in mind the plight of the local people here, we've also tried our best to be socially responsible. Most places we've chosen are either Khmer run or run by foreigners employing local staff to create employment opportunities. Tipping is not an observed practice, but remember, a small tip in Cambodia goes a long way for the Khmer people.
There are stores the size of small supermarket in most places. Most items like munchies, cigarettes and beer are readily available in these stores. Medicines unfortunately aren't. indiMotard will have some basic medicines and a full first aid kit, but please remember to pack your own if you need regular medical treatment. Also make sure you have some amount of money on your person while riding, you will need to pay for your entry to the Angkor temple complex ($40), bottled water and for other sundry items. It will be silly to hold the group up while waiting for the back up vehicle, just for a few dollars.