Post GCSE adventure -Cambodia

[Lonecatwithkitten]

My DD sits her GCSEs in 2020 and we have always talked about big trip after GCSEs. Cambodia is the current favourite, I am aware it is the start of the rainy season, but from my initial research it is likely to be occasional short down pours with mainly hot weather.
We were thinking some time in Phnom Penh and then travel down to the Mekong delta to stay in a beach resort.
I have travelled really only in the USA, Europe, South Africa and the Middle East. My Partner lived in KL for a year, but he will not be joining us as it is his ultra busy time at work.

So I am looking for advice and suggestions please.

... another vote for Siam Reap
Vietnam’s Hoi An is lovely too as is the island Phú Quốc
Perhaps two countries seeing as they’re so closely placed?

Siem Reap is a must to see the temples of Angkor.

Yes you can't go to Cambodia without going to Angkor Wat! it really is fantastic. & absolutely huge, with a lot of diversity between the temples. We went in before dawn to see the sunrise there.

Can I ask how have you travelled between places. The Giant Ibis bus company seems to get good reviews, do you save a nights accommodation by sleeping on the bus or go during the day to see the countryside?
I think we will have between 10 and 14 days so is Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and the Mekong Delta doable in that time.
Honestly I could afford flights, but I never back packed and both my DD and I are keen for the adventure hence why I am thinking buses. Giant Ibis seems to have an excellent safety record with speeds limited and two drivers on long journeys.
Any recommendations where to stay, accommodation wise we don't need to be in hostels would quite like nice hotels, but more local than international style.

We did similar in Cambodia a couple of years back. We really like it and the main highlights were angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, kampot and heading down to the coast to Koh rong sanloem (if you like white sand beaches and lazy days). the bigger bus companies are fine (but don't go everywhere) or you can get internal flights (particularly to siem reap/phnom penh) for very cheap.

We did a boat trip out to the floating villages on tonle sap from siem reap, which was interesting and a good way to break up days of visiting angkor Wat (and you will need several days).

Booked all the accomodation via booking.com which worked fine and you know what you're getting.

Alternatively look at going with companies like exodus/explore. They do smallish group trips with a local guide, and sort all the travel/accomodation etc, so you don't need to worry about getting around. The local minibuses are pretty dodgy as is hiring a scooter, but they were the only way we could get around in some places. Even if you don't book with them, check their trip itineraries for a good idea of places to visit/how long to spend in each place.

Internal flights are a far better option. The roads are mad. You would be crazy to miss out Angkor wat, it’s the main reason for going. Personally I’d say if you’re going to miss any of it miss the coast/islands. Just the same as any beach island in that area of the world. Only reason for the special trip is the possibility of seeing the algae and you have to be extremely lucky to see that. The boat trip out to koh rong was one of the scariest hours of my life (massively overpacked, separated from the children and people literally nearly flying off due to having squeezed into the front).

Angkor Wat is still very much a sacred site and it has enforced a visitors code of conduct (available to read online).

Use internal flights rather than road travel particularly at night. This country has some of the highest rates of road accidents in the region.

I would also suggest you read the FCOs travel advice to Cambodia.

@AttilaTheMeerkat thank you for that I have read the FCO advice the Giant Ibis bus company seem to have responded to the issues with new and well maintained buses, that are GPS tracked to ensure they are not exceeding the company imposed speed limits with two drivers for night buses who swap at regular intervals. But at this stage it is all still planning and I will continue to look at all the options, but with the current prices for an internal flight $120 per person and a Giant Ibis bus ticket on a sleeper bus saving a nights accommodation being $15 it all has to be considered.

for travel between PP and SR consider hiring a car and driver - about $60 for a five hour trip.

It's an interesting country to visit but a lot of it is quite harrowing. It isn't the most pleasant of trips in terms of listening to the history.

We also found it expensive since everything is in US dollars and tourist prices are rife..

A lot of the tour guides are also ex khmer rouge which is an interesting moral dilemma..

Our driver told us its a very difficult place to live politically at the moment.

I think Cambodia is pretty cheap. Clearly there are tourist prices to visit Angkor Wat - I think a three day pass is about $60 - (It's free for locals) but I think this is still good value for money for when you consider what this price gives you access to.
It's also possible to do everything yourself - no need to book through an agency. I have stayed here in SR several times - www.pavillon-indochine.com/ - it's near the ticket entrance to the Angkor Wat area and about 5/10 mins by tuk tuk to the pub street/town area.
I have stayed here a couple of times and it's ideally located for palace, museums etc - you can easily walk to them all - theplantation.asia/ You will need to get a tuk tuk to go to the killing fields and the genocide museum - worthwhile visits, but harrowing.

It was the food we found expensive. But we did fall into the trap of following our guide's recommendations for lunch etc..

I can recommend the Kabiki in Phnom Penh. Lovely place to stay.

We are both keen on food and are very excited at the street markets so I think that will be a major source of food for us.
I have got a guide book now and it turns out a friend of a friend lives and runs a travel company in Cambodia.