Hiya,
I did find this about Preah Vihear. is the best resource for all things Cambodian. Good luck.
It is better to go from Siem Reap. The hotels there can arrange transport and a guide for you. Now that Preah Vihear is again open, I am sure there are tours the hotel can link you to. We just went there but we rented our own transport. It is an easy day trip from Siem Reap where Angkor Wat is. You can get more info at -snip-
A belated thanks for the replies! In case anyone is interested, you can get to the temple from either Anlong Veng, or from Preah Vihear town. I opted for the latter, taking a bus up into the town, and then hiring a taxi (after MUCH negotiation) to the foot of the temple, and from there, a moto up to the top. Moto should be no more than $5. You can also hire a car from Siem Reap for a day trip, but I was quoted ridiculous prices, and it was far more fun wandering into northern Cambodia on your own. At the town, I heard from an NGO worker that apparently there is a popular-ish scam to sell tickets to the temple. The temple is free to go, although when you do enter the national park where the mountain is, you are asked to fill in a registration form (required from all foreigners). I would fully recommend it, stunning views and I was the only person up there. Apart from about 100 cambodian soldiers, that is, all equipped with machine guns. They were lovely, though.
It is quite a beautiful place.
Ofelia,
Thanks a lot for this detailed information. I am visiting Cambodia in Jan 2012 and would definitely like to visit this temple. Being a budget traveller, I too will go by taking a bus.
Have you written about this trip anywhere?
Thanks.
Hi Nisha,
I didn't write about the trip anywhere, no, my blog sort of ceased to be because of lack of time. However, I would recommend a trip anywhere off the beaten track in Cambodia. Pick a location and take off- the little towns are charming and I was welcomed with such warmth. One night, i was in the town of Prear Vihear- it is essentially two partly-paved roads which intersect- and walked into a little restaurant. The girl serving and I just stared and smiled at each other- we had no way of communicating, but almost everyone pitched in and helped me get my order in. There was a wonderful spirit about. I drew a picture of a pig (it was the only animal i could draw) to indicate pork; and next to it, i drew a picture of a bowl of rice. The little girls would then rush off from the kitchen to show me a vegetable or a stalk of chili, asking (I think) if it was ok to add this and that to my dish. People constantly stopped me on the street and got me to hold their babies- just for the sake of it. I only found two people who spoke english in the whole town and I did pretty much talk to everyone there...
Hope you have a great time in Cambodia- it's a wonderful place!
Ofelia,
That's a lovely experience. I am sure it'll be etched for years in your memories.
I also have many similar ones from my trips.
It just takes a smile to start a story. :-)
0 Response to "Preah Vihear- temple in Northern Cambodia"
Post a Comment