Cambodia Budget and Takeaway Thoughts and Tips

Before this Indochina adventure, I was convinced that it was dirt cheap to backpack around the Philippines for foreigners. Cambodia proved that it can be more affordable. The accommodation, tuktuk rental and meals were relatively cheap. The expensive ones were the Angkor Wat Entrance fee and the guide.

Siem Reap thrives on foreigners. I guess that explains why people are hospitable. They also speak good English. I was impressed that some of the local Angkor Wat guides can speak in Spanish and French.

And here's the expenses of our Cambodia leg of the Indochina trip. Some costs are divided by two because I have a travel buddy this time. This covers Phnom Pehn and Siem Reap.

CAMBODIA EXPENSES	USD
Day 5: HCMC to PP, Killing Fields, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Depart HCMC
Arrive PP
Lunch: Paid in VND - 30,000
Tuktuk rental for tour - $15	7.50
Killing Fields	5.00
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum - "night charge"	3.00
Accomodation: Fancy Guesthouse, twin room - $15	7.50
Bus going to SR	8.00
Dinner at Friends Restaurant	5.25
Day 6: PP to SR, Tonle Sap Lake, Apsara Dance Show
Breakfast in PP: Noodles	1.50
Snack: Grass Jelly drink in can	0.60
Snack: Biscuit Stick	0.50
Aspara Show with Buffet Dinner	10.00
Drinks in Apsara Show	2.50
Tuktuk Rental - $4	2.00
Day 7: Angkor Wat Tour: Explore near temples (small circuit)
Angkor Wat-3 day pass	40.00
Tuktuk rental - $12	6.00
Angkor Wat English Tour Guide	12.50
Lunch	6.00
Dinner	Free
Day 8: Explore far temples
Lunch	6.00
Tuktuk rental - $20	10.00
Angkor Wat English Tour Guide	12.50
Dinner	3.00
Room - $16 twin room, 3 nights, 10% discount	43.20
Apple Shake	0.90
Snack: Oreo	0.80
Day 9: SR to BKK via bus
Depart SR	11.00
Total Expenses in USD	205.25
USD rate (rate that I bought my USD)	42.00
Total Expenses in PHP	8,620.50

Some takeaway thoughts and tips:

• Cambodia has their own currency but USD is accepted in Cambodia. 4,000 Cambodian Riels = 1 USD. This conversion rate does not change.
• If you pay in USD and you have less than $1 as change, they will give your change in riels. E.g. You buy something worth 3,000 riels. You pay $1. Your change will be 1,000 riels
• Use all your Riels before you leave Cambodia.
• Thank you in Khmer: "Ah-kun”
• Haggle!

Around the Angkor Wat Complex:

• Prepare your sun-survival battle gear: SUNBLOCK, sunglasses and sarong
• Some parts of the Angkor Wat require some dress code – e.g. shoulders have to be covered (sarong as cover not allowed). I wore a dress + leggings + bolero/cardigan. You can take off the cardigan if it gets too hot. But I kept it on because it prevented sunburn from my back and shoulders.
• Carry a bottle of water while going around temples.
• Do not give money to a kid. Once you do, dozens will rush to you asking for money too.
• Hire an Angkor Wat Tour Guide. Some would balk at the cost ($25/day) but I found their services valuable. They can show you the ins and outs of the temple and entertain you with the country’s history. Exploring the Angkor Wat is not just about the taking awesome photos.
• To take awesome photos, set your camera to “Vivid Colors” setting. Else, the glorious ruins will just look like rubble.
• There will some moments where the temple will look just like blah and “same same”.  Get off the normal tourist route and explore other angles.
• Watch your step and watch your head. 
• It helps if you have some creative poses up your sleeve. If you put on a standard pose all the time, it gets old quickly. Do some glam shots!

My fave Wushu pose. I train in Wushu Discovery.