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Cambodia is only a 2-hour flight from Singapore and has much going for it though the tourism industry can be rudimentary in places. Most of us will need a visa which is available on arrival for a US$20 fee, you do need to bring a recent pasfoto. Note further that you have to pay a US$25 a head departure tax too.

Cambodian food is nice, less spicy than Thai food and (even) richer in coconut so watch you waist.

History / Culture

If you want something different from the beach or shopping there is another world out there:

Angkor Wat

This world-heritage site includes the ruins of large temple and palace complexes which date from the 11th century. The site includes the famous Angkor Wat complex but also Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm and several others. The complexes are in various stages of excavation / restauration and particularly the Ta Prohm site not only shows great human architecture but also nature's architecture with huge trees growing from, on and through the ruins. This site was used to partially shoot the original Tomb Raider movie.

To access the sites you need to purchase a pass at US$25 for a day and US$40 for three days (2007 rates). To go to the site from Siem Reap, where you are likely staying, you can get a taxi or tuk-tuk which can also drive you around the site. Note that we would not recommend this as a children's outing.

Siem Reap

This town will likely be your starting point for visits to Angkor, unless you fly in from Thailand. The town itself is rather small but geared to tourists it includes most conveniences you would want, plenty of hotels, traditional massage places and restaurants with Western (French) food and local and Asian dishes.

Though you can change your money to local Rials this is not really necessary; US$, Thai Bath and even Euro's are accepted everywhere and almost all prices are displayed in US$, you will get change smaller than 1US$ in local bills though.

Tonle Sap

From Siem Reap you can also visit the floating village at the Tonle Sap lake. Though somewhat overpriced it is not a bad experience.

For a more elaborate preview of Angkor look at Panoramio