Visas
There is a good visa-on-arrival service in Cambodia – so you don’t really need to worry about getting one before you come. A 3 week tourist visa is around $20 to $30. You can always swap to a business visa later on, or extend it if you want to stay longer.
Internet
There is good Internet access in Cambodia now. You will probably have access just about wherever you go. This includes the wedding location in Ba Srae – but the speed is not 3G – hence you will be able to access email and instant messaging through Skype – but don’t expect video conferencing ;o)The best way to have Internet access is through the 3G donlges that are available through several ISPs here. I generally use Metfone and it is about $20 / month for about 256KB/s. Their USB modem dongle is capable on both Windows and Linux. Not sure about Macs – but probably.
Telephones
You don’t have to be tied into a service provider here. Hence you can pick-up a sim card after you get off the plane at the airport if you like. At this point would recommend that you subscribe to Metfone or Mobitel or Beeline.We will have 2 or 3 spare telephones for people to use when they are here, however, it is possible for you to bring a GSM phone from Australia (or wherever you are coming from) and use it here. All you will need to do then is buy a $3 SIM card and you will be up and running. If your phone is locked to a provider in your home country then it is likely that you will be able to have it unlocked when you get here. This should not affect your usage of the telephone when you return back home.
Other Things to Do
There will be plenty of other things to do while you are in Cambodia apart from the wedding. We have timed the wedding to be the best part of the year. Everything will be green and cool.
Please note that the Phnom Penh Water Festival has now been cancelled due to the passing of the former King of Cambodia. It was to occur just after the wedding on the 27th, 28th and 29th of November, 2012. These dates will still be a public holiday in Cambodia and so there will no doubt be something happening at that time.
Also, of course, there is the very famous Angkor Wat. It is located about 4 to 6 hours north of Phnom Penh. You can get there by boat, bus or taxi. I am sure there would be plenty of info on the Internet about how to get there and back. My recommendation would be to spend 2 or 3 nights there (probably 2) and take the boat across the Tonle Sap (the large lake in the middle of Cambodia – SE Asia’s largest lake) to get there.
There is also the coast of Cambodia which is worth spending a few days. The coast is accessible within about 3 to 4 hours of Phnom Penh. There are plenty of beaches in Sihanoukville and plenty of islands off Sihanoukville, Kep and Kampot. It’s a great way to relax for a few days. If you go to Kampot then you would also want to go to the famous Phnom Bokor – home of the rundown casino that used to be the playground of the rich and famous. Great view and lots of history. There is a huge new casino they have built up there now. I haven’t been to the mountain since they built the casino but, in any case, it is a rather auspicious place with an amazing checkered history and would be worth a visit.
There is plenty to see and do in and around Bar Srae. I will list some of the more unique places here and you will be able to search on the Internet to get a better idea of what it is and what you can do. Teh places to visit include:
- Phnom Dun
- Angkor Borei
- Take a boast ride from Takeo or from the Bassac River
- Phnom Chisor
- Phnom Tamao
Good luck and have a totally great time.