Angkor Wat

[Keith1010]

As part of a full world cruise we are booked on for next year, a couple night overland package is being offer to Angkor Wat. A couple of passengers who we know from our cruise travels have highly recommend seeing this area saying it was one of the best places they have visited over the years. So, we are trying to decide if we should do this overland package. Obviously there is the additional cost for this package along with a couple of days off the ship so I would appreciate to get advice/comments from thos of you who have had the opportunity to visit Angkor Wat.

 

Thanks,

Keith

[jacksan1]

As part of a full world cruise we are booked on for next year, a couple night overland package is being offer to Angkor Wat. A couple of passengers who we know from our cruise travels have highly recommend seeing this area saying it was one of the best places they have visited over the years. So, we are trying to decide if we should do this overland package. Obviously there is the additional cost for this package along with a couple of days off the ship so I would appreciate to get advice/comments from thos of you who have had the opportunity to visit Angkor Wat.

 

Thanks,

Keith

 

Angkor Wat and its surrounding area in Siem Reap are just amazing, and therefore highly recommended if you have time for a visit. It is well worth an extra cost, if I may say so. I spent four days in Siem Reap the last time, and cannot wait to go back. I have never met anyone who has been to Angkor Wat and other ruins in the area and said, "Gosh, this was a waste of time." You would not regret going there. I guarantee it.

[Keith1010]

Thank you very much for the feedback. If any others have been there I also welcome the additional feedback.

 

Keith

[ab0si]

Anyone who has a chance to visit Angor Wat and does not do so deserves to spend her/his next vactaion in Jersey City (and the one after that in Midland, TX).

 

Seriously, it is one of the special places in the world. I strongly urge you to visit it.. you will be amazed and never forget the experience.

 

Paul

[Johnny B]

Keith - we just bit the bullet and signed on for our travel specialist's overland tour from the Amsterdam RTW cruise next year. We've been talking about it for years, and even remember watching with envy when Jackie Kennedy was show on TV touring there. It was pretty expensive, but I believe that in all our years of travel, the only things we regret are the things we DIDN'T do - like when we felt we had to do our laundry in Athens instead of taking the excursion to Corinth.

 

Jump in and just DO IT.

[LibLively]

Angkor Wat is absolutely amazing and you shouldn't miss it, especially since I'm sure soon they will have to put many of its temples off-limits to tourists, because of the damage being done by foot traffic. Something to remember is that Angkor Wat is not one building, it is a large area in the middle of a jungle with hundreds of temples. Spending three days there is not too long, as you still will leave without seeing everything there is to see!!

[Keith1010]

Thank you all for the additional information. We are thinking real hard about do the overland package and I appreciate all of the input on this.

 

Keith

[greatam]

Keith,

 

I am currently in Vietnam, headed for Cambodia (business) Monday. The overland trip is VERY easy to do from Bangkok. Bangkok Airways is a really great little airline. Or if you really mean overland, there are various ways to do it.

 

If you need help planning your trip (and want to do it on your own-very easy), I will be glad to point you in the right direction.

 

I am probably one of the few people in the world that didn't find Angkor Wat especially interesting. The first time I was there-bought the three day pass. Spent one day, actually only about 6 hours, wandering around. Even hired a guide and driver. Just not my thing, although the temple is spectacular to look at from the hot air balloon (which is right outside the temple).

 

I was much happier at the elephant farm and wandering around the streets.

 

PS-If you need a place to stay in Siem Reap, I HIGHLY recommend the Foreign Correspondents Club. A little gem not many know about.

 

My help is freely offered.

 

Gina

[Keith1010]

Gina, thank you so very much for the information. If we do the package it would be through the cruise ship. We are going to be on a full world cruise so as part of the excursion they get you back to meet up the ship in Bangkok and I'd want to let them worry about all of the details. We would be off the ship for three days.

 

I may post with some additional questions. We will also be in Vietnam so I might have some questions about that as well.

 

Thanks,

Keith

[LA_FadeAway]

By all means, take the trip to Angkor!!! We spent four days in Siem Reap last year and it was one of the best travel experiences of my life. Not only are the temples/ruins of Angkor amazing, but the people were wonderful too. We hired a guide and car/driver for those four days and our guide taught us so much about his country. My husband was hesitant to even go to Cambodia but was then so happy that he did. Just keep in mind that there is a lot of walking involved in seeing the temples and it can be very hot there.

[rollingstone]

Please do NOT miss this opportunity!!!!

Not only are the temples amazing but Siem Reap is a great place to explore. A tuk tuk (motortcycle cab) from our hotel cost $1 each. Many good places to eat & drink. Very safe to walk around. Lots of pictures of Angelina Jolie in the bars. While she was filming Tomb Raider, she must have frequented the restaurants in town.

Make sure to read about the Pol Pot regime (remember the movie "The Killing Fields?). It will make you appreciate how far these people have come.

We were there for 4 days in January and I would go back in a minute!

[blue whale]

Did those of you who have visited Angkor Wat take anti-malaria pills? We are signed for a tour on our up-coming cruise and will be staying in the area for 4 nights. Should we take the anti-malaria pills? We already have some left over from a very recent trip, but we hate to pop pills unless absolutely needed.

[BettyNL]

blue whale...... Yes, I took anti-malaria pills for Cambodia as well as Vietnam.

 

And a tuk tuk ride is an absolute must in Siem Reap!!

[jacksan1]

Did those of you who have visited Angkor Wat take anti-malaria pills? We are signed for a tour on our up-coming cruise and will be staying in the area for 4 nights. Should we take the anti-malaria pills? We already have some left over from a very recent trip, but we hate to pop pills unless absolutely needed.

 

My understanding is that malaria has been reported in and around Siem Reap. Cambodia is basically a malarial country everywhere, except for Phnom Penh. I did take malaria pills (doxycycline) when I was there, including in Siem Reap.

[gr8lakes]

We will be traveling to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat at the end of February following our cruise in SE Asia. We will fly from Singapore. We are very excited about the trip. Our travel doctor has advised, and we are going to take malarone for malaria prevention. Some friends of ours just returned and said the mosquitos were quite prevalent in Siem Reap and they were glad they had medicine. I know they spray the area, but it never hurts to take preventive measures.

 

By the way, the Washington Post had a great article on Angkor Wat yesterday:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/NewsSearch?sb=-1&st=angkor%20wat&

 

Enjoy!

[A J Theodore]

Keith-

Yes, Angkor is well worth the time and effort. One of the most fascinating places in the world, as indicated by prior posters.

However, remember that your trip is in the height of the tourist season and it is likely to be overrun with visitors. Therefore, a couple of thoughts.

First, you may want to make your own travel arrangements rather than use a ship's tour. The group tour buses tend to go to the same places at the same times making it hard to see/enjoy many of the individual sites at Angkor and, in my experience, they tend to spend too much time at shopping and eating venues. A private driver/guide is a good way to avoid this as a good one will know how to take you to the various sites when they are not overrun. If you decide to do this, please try to find a way to make arrangements quickly as the best guides are in great demand. There are many fine hotels in Siem Reap.

Second, a private dirver/guide can customize a trip to your likes and interests.

Third, take the time to read up on Angkor and on Hinduism before you go. Any reasonable amount of reading/preparation will make Angkor that much more enjoyable and meaningful. If nothing else, pick up a copy of Insight guides, Lonely Planet, or something similar (they will give you a good, albeit brief, introduction).

Fourth, be sure to include Bantei Srei (sp?) and be sure to go to the main temple of Angkor at dawn. Ethereal.

[Been There, Planning That]

We too had a wonderful week in Siem Reap and purchased the four day pass to the temples. We had a private guide who was incredibe. It was one of the three highlights of our Asian trip -- the others being the Great Wall of China and the terracota soldiers.

 

In one day you'll just glimpse an overview.

 

We too took malaria pills and used a powerful mosquito off spray in the early morning and at dusk. We were there in November which is considered the shoulder season I believe.

 

It's a site not to miss.

[sealover155]

We were in Siem Reap in September for 4 days. Absolutely a transforming experience. Do read up on the temples ahead of time. Our favorite was Bayan.

 

We stayed at Le Meridien and loved it. If you have a choice it is one to consider. Had lunch at Raffles, very historic but in that weather, new is nicer!

 

It is essential to invest in trekking, moisture wicking clothes and excellent hiking boots. You will need at least 2 sets of the clothes. I could not believe the intensity of the heat, and we've been in Egypt in the summer! But, the temples, the rich experiences are all worth it.

 

Aside from the temples, we especially enjoyed the Artisans of Angkor art school, tour and store. You do not bargain here but the works are exquisite and made on the premises at the school. They shipped everything home for us and they arrived perfectly and on time. Incidentally, the ATMs in Siem Reap dispense US dollars!

 

It would be tragic to miss this extraordinary experience.

 

Mary Anne

[Miss Jolly]

Keith,

 

I am currently in Vietnam, headed for Cambodia (business) Monday. The overland trip is VERY easy to do from Bangkok. Bangkok Airways is a really great little airline. Or if you really mean overland, there are various ways to do it.

 

If you need help planning your trip (and want to do it on your own-very easy), I will be glad to point you in the right direction.

 

I am probably one of the few people in the world that didn't find Angkor Wat especially interesting. The first time I was there-bought the three day pass. Spent one day, actually only about 6 hours, wandering around. Even hired a guide and driver. Just not my thing, although the temple is spectacular to look at from the hot air balloon (which is right outside the temple).

 

I was much happier at the elephant farm and wandering around the streets.

 

PS-If you need a place to stay in Siem Reap, I HIGHLY recommend the Foreign Correspondents Club. A little gem not many know about.

 

My help is freely offered.

 

Gina

 

How much does the Hot air balloon cost and how long does the flight take please?

[Ashryn]

Keith

 

I can only agree with everyone (bar one) else. The temples in Seim Reap are amazing! We were there in August, mosquitos not a problem but VERY hot.

 

Do not miss the opportunity, you will love it.

 

Ashryn

[Miss Jolly]

Keith

 

I can only agree with everyone (bar one) else. The temples in Seim Reap are amazing! We were there in August, mosquitos not a problem but VERY hot.

 

Do not miss the opportunity, you will love it.

 

Ashryn

Did you happen to notice how much the hot air balloon rides were?

[eaglewingks]

Did your tour include going to Bayon, Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean, Meala Bang or Thusand Ligas? In other words, what should we be sure and not miss seeing if we take the time to go?

 

Also, did you go to the Elephant farm?

[lina1]

Jennie,

 

I think it cost $15 for the hot air balloon ride, but you are actually tethered to the ground.

[greatam]

Jennie,

 

I think it cost $15 for the hot air balloon ride, but you are actually tethered to the ground.

 

That's one of them

 

The REAL balloon ride was $50.00 (two years ago) and took you over the ruins. About 20 minutes flight time. And he won't leave until he has 4 people.