The official religion is Theravada Buddhism however; there are many Christians and Muslims in Cambodia too.
GEOGRAPHY
Cambodia is bordered
by Thailand to the north and west, Laos to the north and Vietnam to
the east, with the Gulf of Thailand forming to the southern border.
The two dominant
topographical features of the country are the Mekong River and the
Tonle Sap Lake (Great Lake). The Mekong which originates in Tibet
flows for 486 km through Cambodia before continuing on into the
South China Sea via Vietnam. In Phnom Penh, it splits into the Upper
River (the Tien Giang in Vietnamese) and the Lower River (Hau
Giang). The rich sediment deposited during the Mekong's annual
wet-season flooding has made the land very fertile for agriculture.
The majority of Cambodia's streams and rivers flow into the Mekong
-Tonle Sap basin.
The Tonle Sap lake is
linked to the Mekong River at Phnom Penh by a 100 km long channel
known as the Tonle Sap River. From mid-May to early October (the
rainy season) the level of the Mekong River rises, backing up the
Tonle Sap river and causing it to flow north west into the Tonle Sap
lake. During this period the Tonle Sap lake swells from 3000 sq km
to over 7500 sq km; its maximum depth increases from about 2.2m to
more than 10 m. As the water of the Mekong River falls during the
dry season, the Tonle Sap river reverses its flow, draining the
waters of the lake back into the Mekong River. This extraodinary
process makes the Tonle Sap lake one of the world's richest sources
of freshwater fish. It is estimated that the lake provides a
livelihood for about 40% of the Cambodian population and its fish
provide almost 60%of the country's fish intake.
The vast majority of
Cambodians live in the central part around Tonle Sap lake and the
Upper Mekong Delta. Extending onward from this aluvial plain are
thinly forested transitional plains with elevations of no more than
about 100 m above sea level.
Cambodia's highland
is in the south west between the Gulf of Thailand and Tonle Sap
lake. Pursat Province is where you will find the country's highest
mountain, Phnom Aoral ( 1,813m).
In the northeastern
corner of the country the transitional plains give way to the
Eastern highlands, a remote region of densely forested mountains and
high plateaus extending eastward into Vietnam's Central Highlands
and northward into Laos.
CLIMATE
The two monsoons in
the country greatly affect the rural calendar of Cambodians. From
November to February the cool, dry northeastern monsoon carries
relatively little rain whereas the southwestern monsoon carries up
to 80% of the country's rainfall between the months of May and
October.
Maximum daily
temperatures range from the high 20s in January to more than 40 0 C
in April. Daily minimum temperatures are usually no more than 10 0 C
.
CLOTHING
Traditionally,
sarongs (made of cotton, a cotton-synthetic blend or silk) are worn
by both men and women and is most evident in the countryside. Most
urban Khmer men dress in trousers and many women dress in
western-style clothing.
On formal occasions
such as religious festivals and family celebrations, women often
wear hols, a type of shirt, during the day. At night they
change into single-coloured silk dresses called phamuongs,
which are decorated along the hems. If the celebration is a
wedding, the colours of such garments are determined by the day of
the week on which the wedding takes place.
FOOD AND DRINKS
Cambodian cuisine is
closely related to that of its neighbors Thailand and Laos and, to a
lesser extent, Vietnam. There are,however some local dishes too. The
overral consensus is that Khmer cooking is similar to Thai cooking
but with fewer spices.
A traditional
Cambodian meal almost always includes a soup, or samla
which is eaten at the same time as other courses. Samla
machou banle is a popular fish soup with a sour flavour rather
like the hot and sour dishes of neighboring Thailand. Other soups
include samla chapek ( ginger-flavoured pork soup),
samla machou bangkang ( prawn soup) and samla ktis (
a fish soup with coconut and pineapple).
Cambodian 'salad'
dishes are also popular and delicious although quite different from
the western concept of a cold salad. Phlea sach ko is a
beef and vegetable salad, flavoured with coriander, mint leaves and
lemon grass. These herbs find their ways into many Cambodian's
dishes.
Like all other
Buddhist countries, vegetarian food is readily available and
ordering in a restaurant shouldn't pose any problems as there is a
separate vegetarian page in most menus.
It is not advisable
to drink tap water in any South East Asian countries. Bottled water
is recommended (approx. R1000) but do check the expiry date before
opening it.
Ice is widely used in
Cambodia and it is produced with treated water, but the
transportation of it in huge blocks often involves dragging it along
the ground therefore, cold water in freezers should be ordered to
avoid any stomach upsets.
Besides the
international beers there are the local brands such as Angkor Beer,
which is produced by an Australian joint venture company based in
Sihanoukville. Angkor Stout is the only local bitter beer in
Cambodia. You can find these together with Tiger, Heneiken and San
Miguel in all restaurants in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and other tourist
sites.
HEALTH
Your health is more
at risk in Cambodia than most other parts of South- East Asia due to
poor sanitation and a lack of effective medical treatment
facilities. If you fall seriously ill in Cambodia you should return
to Phnom Penh, as it is the only place in the country with decent
emergency treatment. Pharmacies in the large towns are remarkably
well stocked and you don't need a prescription to get your hands on
anything from antibiotics to anti-malaria. Prices are very
reasonable, but do check the expiry date as some medicines may have
been on the shelves for a long time. Don't let this make you
unnecessarily paranoid. Travel health depends on your pre-departure
preparations and general level of health. While the potential
dangers can seem quite frightening, in reality few travelers
experience anything more than upset stomachs.
We strongly recommend you have
adequate medical insurance before arriving in Cambodia. In the event
of a medical emergency we recommend you contact the following:
House 161, Street 51, Sang-Kat Boeung Peng,
Khon Doun Penh
Phnom Penh
Admin Tel (855) (23) 216 911
Admin Fax (855) (23) 215 811
Clinic Tel (855) (23) 216 911
Clinic Fax (855) (23) 215 811
Email contact: mailto:sos@bigpond.com.kh
The International SOS
Phnom Penh Clinic specializes in delivering 24-hour medical in Phnom
Penh and Siem Reap. In cooperation with International SOS' global
network, International SOS Cambodia coordinates services on a global
basis for travelers when they require assistance. International SOS
Cambodia has access to charter aircraft within Cambodia for domestic
and international services.
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WHAT TO PACK
As trekking is not
very popular in Cambodia you should try to pack as little as
possible. A frameless or internal-frame pack is recommended to deal
with crowded travel conditions and is also more comfortable when
walking. We suggest the following pre departure checklist for
Cambodia.
Photocopy of passport, documents including
vaccination certificate, photocopy of marriage licence and student
identification card, visa photos.
Money belt or vest, padlock, day-pack.
Long pants, short pants, long sleeved shirts, T
shirts, nylong jacket, socks, thongs or sandals, swimwear.
Umbrella or rain poncho, rain cover for backpack.
Sunglasses, contact-lens solution.
Deodorant, shampoo, soap, razor, razor blades,
shaving cream, sewing kit, spoon, sunhat, tampons, toothbrush,
toothpaste, comb, nail clippers, tweezers.
Compass, Swiss army knife, leak-proof water bottle,
alarm clock, camera and accessories, extra camera batteries, short
wave radio, Walkman, address book, pens, notepad, torch
(flashlight) with baterries and bulbs.
Mosquitoes repellent, sunscreen, vitamin,
laxatives, condoms, contraceptives, medical kit.
CURRENCY
The official
Cambodian currenry is known as the Riel . The Cambodian riel has
been relatively stable and the current exchange rate is
approximately 3,930 riel to US$ 1. American dollars are widely
accepted in Cambodia and even preferred in larger stores and
supermakets. However,the riel is more practical and economical to
use for smaller, day -to day items such as buying fruits and
vegetables and paying moto drivers,etc.
Banks now change all
major currencies with relatively little hassle. Tourists with
traveler cheques are advised to cash them at the bank as few shops
and other outlets have facilities to change them and those that do
may charge a high commission.Several banks do permit cash advances
on major credit cards.The Naga Cacino in Phnom Penh is open twenty
four hours as is the bank on the first level, where one can go if in
need of urgent cash. Higher rates will however be charged. The
Diamond Hotel on Monivong Boulevard and the Walkabout Hotel on
Pasteur (24hours) also give cash advances on visa accounts.
ELECTRICITY
Electricty is
220V,50Hz . Power cuts in the capital are rare these days and all
major hotels and restaurants have their own generators.Electricity
sockets are generally two-pinned, as electrical wiring in Cambodia
is not earthed .Three pin adaptors can be bought at electrical shops
or in the markets.
VISAS
Obtaining a Cambodian
visa nowadays is quick and easy. Visitors arriving by air can buy a
one -month visa on arrival at both Pochentong and Siem Reap Airport.
However, for travelers arriving overland from Thailand via Poi Pet,
Banteay Meanchey Province, or Kok Kong Province, it is advisable to
obtain a visa in advance. Travelers arriving overland from Laos and
Vietnam must obtain a visa in advance as they cannot be obtained at
the border.
A tourist visa costs
just US$20 and can be extended for one month at a time for up to
three months. A business visa costs US$25 and can be extended
indefinitely. Two passport photographs should be submitted with the
visa application form. According to the Ministry for Foreigners, a
sticker type visa endorsement will soon replace the current rubber
stamp. This is scheduled for implementation within the next few
months.
VISITING TEMPLES AND
PAGODAS
The Khmer are a tolerant
people and may choose not to point out improper behavior to their
foreign guests, but you should dress and act with the utmost respect
when visiting Wats or other religious sites (including the temples
of Angkor). This is all the more important given the vital role
Buddhism has played in the lives of many Cambodians, especially in
the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge holocaust. Proper etiquette in
pagodas is mostly a matter of common sense.
Unlike Thailand, a
woman may accept something from a monk, but she should be careful
not to touch him as she does so. A few other tips include:
Don't wear shorts or tank tops
Remove your hat when entering the ground of the
Wats.
Remove your shoes before going into the vihara
(sanctuary).
If you sit down in front of the dais (the platform
on which the Buddhas are placed), sit with your feet to the side
rather than in the lotus position.
Never point your
finger - or, nirvana forbid the sole of your feet -towards a person
or a figure of the Buddha.
DOES AND DON'T
There are some other
rules that are worth remembering while you are in the country:
Getting angry and
showing it by shouting or becoming abusive is extremely impolite and
a poor reflection on you. In addition, it is unlikely to achieve
much. If things aren't being done as they should, remember that
there is a critical shortage of trained people in the country
because the vast majority of educated Cambodians either fled the
country or were killed between 1975 and 1979.
As in Thailand, it is
improper to pat children on the head.
If you would like
someone to come over to you, motion with your whole hand help palm
down -signalling with your index finger and your palm pointed
skyward may be interpreted as being sexually suggestive.
When using a
toothpick, it is considered polite to hold it in one hand and to
cover your open mouth with the other. When handing things to other
people, use both of your hands or your right hand only, never your
left hand (reserved for toilet ablutions!).
TIME
Cambodia, like,
Vietnam, Thai and Laos, is seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time
or Universal Time Coordinated (GMT/UTC). Therefore when it is midday
in Cambodia it is 10pm the previous evening in San Francisco, 1am in
New York, 5am in London and 3am in Sydney.
BUSINESS HOURS
Government offices,
which are open from Monday to Saturday, theoretically begin the
working day at 7 or 7:30 am, breaking for a siesta from 11 or
11:30am to 2 or 2:30pm and ending the day at 5:30pm. However, it is
a safe bet that few people will be round early in the morning or
after 4pm.
Banking hours tend to
vary according to the bank, but you can reckon on core hours of
8:30am to 3:30pm.
There are an
incredible number of public holidays and festivals that close down
offices.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND
SPECIAL EVENTS
During public
holidays and festivals, banks, ministries and embassies close down,
so plan ahead if visiting Cambodia during these times. These
institutions also seem to take holidays on Christmas Day, New year's
Day, the Day for Remembering the Victory over the Genocidal Regime
on 7 January and Chinese New Year, so all in all they spend a fair
number of days on holiday each year. The festival of Cambodia takes
place according to the lunar calendar so the dates vary from year to
year:
Chaul Chnam
Held in mid -April, this is three-day celebration
of the Khmer New Year: Khmers make offerings at Wats, clean out
their homes and exchange gifts of new clothes. It is a lively time
to visit as, like the Thais, Khmers go wild with water and talcum
powder leaving a lot of bemused tourists looking like plaster cast
figures! It is not the best time to visit the temples of Angkor as
half the population of the country turns up there and you will
find yourself with no peace to explore the temple.
Chrat Preah Nengkal
Held in early May, this is the Royal Ploughing
ceremony, a ritual agricultural festival led by the royal family.
It takes place near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.
International Workers' Day
1 May
P'chum Ben
Held in late September, it is a kind of all
soul's day, when respects are paid to the dead through offerings
made at the waters' edge.
His Majesty the King's Birthday
30 October to 01 November
Bon Om Tuk
Held in late October or early November, this
celebrates the reversal of the Tonle Sap river (with the onset of
the dry season, water backed up in the Tonle Sap lake begins to
empty into the Mekong, in the wet season the waters reverse). This
is one of the most important festivals in the Khmer calendar and a
wonderful time to be in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, as boat races are
held on the Tonle Sap river and the moat around Angkor wat.
Independence Day
09 November
Chinese Lunar New Year
The Chinese and Vietnamese inhabitants of
Cambodia celebrate their New Year in late January or early to mid
-February - for the Vietnamese, this is Tet. Because Chinese and
Vietnamese run many businesses in Phnom Penh, commerce grinds to a
halt around this time.
POST AND TELECOMMUNICATION
Post is now routed by
air through Bangkok, which makes Cambodia a much more reliable place
from which to send mails and parcels. Telephone connections with the
outside world have also improved immensely, though they are not
cheap.
Most hotels in Phnom
Penh will allows you to make local calls free of charge. Numbers
starting with 011, 012, 015, 017 or 018 are mobile phone numbers.
There is no directory
inquiries service in Cambodia. Some hotels have telephone
directories for the capital if you need to track down a number.
International phone
calls are easy to make if you have a phone card. Phone cards come in
denominations of US$2, US$5, US$10, US$20, US$50 and US$100. Charges
are not cheap in Cambodia unless you call at weekends when you may
get up to 20-30 % discount.
Collect calls are a
hassle but a home country direct service has been set up for some
countries. Home country direct calls allow you to either reverse the
charges or have the call charged to a Telstra or AT& T telecard.
Faxes are more costly
than anywhere else. The cost is about US$4-US$6 per page.
Internet access is
available in all major tourist places at a cost of US$2 per hour,
although it is not as fast as you would expect.
AIRPORT TAXES
Pochentong International Airport
Domestic departure: US$6.
International
departure: US$25.
Siem Reap Airport
Domestic departure: US$6.
International
departure: US$25.
- Guest House