Ever lost your bus pass when you didn't have any cash to get home? It was a real pain in the backside, right?
That is nothing compared to the mess you would be in if you had all of your documents and cash in one bag over your shoulder with your phone and suddenly found yourself without that bag. No passport, no phone, police that barely speak English, no money and no contact numbers.
A situation like this is easy to avoid, even though I've been traveling in Asia now for many years and am pretty confident everywhere from India to Outer Mongolia to Vietnam and back I still never carry all my money in one place and I keep photocopies of my passport and any visas somewhere safe. A photocopy of a passport or a visa isn't going to be accepted in place of the real thing, but it will help to convince Embassy or Immigration staff that you are who you say you are you're where you are supposed to be.
If you open your wallet in a place where the average monthly wage is 100 dollars and there is obviously two grand in it you will get it pinched. Wear it in an invisible money belt around your stomach, never get it out in public and keep a few bucks folded up in your pocket. No credit cards, no ATM cards, none of that guff. Just carry on hand what you need for the excursion you're on.
If it is too good to be true, it's too good to be true. Sometimes even when it isn't too good to be true, it's just not true. Use reliable operators to arrange your tours and transfers. If you're staying somewhere with a travel desk service, use them. Otherwise use a reputable agent. Under no circumstances give any money to a tuk tuk driver in exchange for a ticket that he assures you is valid.
That's it for part two, part three coming up tomorrow.
Monday, 15 July 2013
Sunday, 14 July 2013
Free beer all round!
Don't forget that we are the only hostel on the hill that always, without exception, gives every arriving guest a nice, frosty cold beer when they check in... How good are we?
Staying safe on the road Part 1
So you're finally going on your OE (or Gap Year depending which hemisphere you call home) and you are planning to hit the road all the way through South East Asia before you get there? Congratulations, come on in, the water is warm and the people are welcoming, it be the journey of a lifetime and you will never forget the experiences that you will have while you're on it. Like some of us you may even end up here a bit longer than you intended (I know many people who came for a month and are still here a decade later). There are a few things you're going to need to consider both before you set off and while you're out on your adventure though, some you may have thought of and others maybe not. I'm pretty sure you will know about the importance of getting vaccinated. Getting sick in a remote part of South East Asia is not something you want to experience. I remember once having to take a flight out of Siem Reap to Kuala Lumpur at 7 in the morning complete with a horrendous bout of food poisoning, not something I ever wished to repeat and in four years (touch wood) it has never happened again. Malaria is more serious and it is all over the region.
So the first thing we are going to look at in this series of posts is what to do to keep healthy in places like Cambodia to make sure you have the best possible time on your journey:
1) Get vaccinated, the CDC has a list of concerns about Cambodia specifically and suggestions for what you should consider. I suggest you look at anywhere else you're stopping along your way as well and make sure you've got all your jabs done in time for your departure.
2) Mosquito protection. Dengue is not fun, nor is Malaria so even if you've got your jabs make sure you take appropriate precautions against getting bitten by mozzies.
3) Food, glorious food. I'm not going to ever tell you to avoid street food in Asia although many doctors in the west probably would, I love the stuff and if you're on a budget it is probably the only way to eat cost-effectively. There are a couple of things you can do though: Avoid shellfish, I've been ignoring this advice for years but they are one of the easiest ways to get some really nasty bugs. Also make sure that whatever you eat is cooked thoroughly. Apart from that whatever will be will be but you're best to minimise your risk. Especially if your trip is of short duration.
4) Do not self drive in South East Asia, especially if you're not used to the way people drive here. Having a motorbike accident in a place with poorly managed emergency services and no western standard health care? Sound fun? Don't be silly, take a tuk tuk, he even knows where he's going.
5) If you are traveling, especially in Cambodia, between cities on provincial roads do not do so on any form of transport in the dark. Even the old hands out here won't be on the road between here and Phnom Penh at night. Stay the night in a hotel, they're cheap enough, and move on to your next destination in the morning.
So the first thing we are going to look at in this series of posts is what to do to keep healthy in places like Cambodia to make sure you have the best possible time on your journey:
1) Get vaccinated, the CDC has a list of concerns about Cambodia specifically and suggestions for what you should consider. I suggest you look at anywhere else you're stopping along your way as well and make sure you've got all your jabs done in time for your departure.
2) Mosquito protection. Dengue is not fun, nor is Malaria so even if you've got your jabs make sure you take appropriate precautions against getting bitten by mozzies.
3) Food, glorious food. I'm not going to ever tell you to avoid street food in Asia although many doctors in the west probably would, I love the stuff and if you're on a budget it is probably the only way to eat cost-effectively. There are a couple of things you can do though: Avoid shellfish, I've been ignoring this advice for years but they are one of the easiest ways to get some really nasty bugs. Also make sure that whatever you eat is cooked thoroughly. Apart from that whatever will be will be but you're best to minimise your risk. Especially if your trip is of short duration.
4) Do not self drive in South East Asia, especially if you're not used to the way people drive here. Having a motorbike accident in a place with poorly managed emergency services and no western standard health care? Sound fun? Don't be silly, take a tuk tuk, he even knows where he's going.
5) If you are traveling, especially in Cambodia, between cities on provincial roads do not do so on any form of transport in the dark. Even the old hands out here won't be on the road between here and Phnom Penh at night. Stay the night in a hotel, they're cheap enough, and move on to your next destination in the morning.
Tea with Johnny
If it's kicking your holiday off with a bang that you're after then be sure to try our signature cocktail, a couple of these will certainly light you up for the night!
Getting to Snooky
There are plenty of ways to get out to see us and it's up to you if you want to spend $10 or $50 but we will give you one piece of advice, don't travel the road between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville after dark because it does get a bit ropey. It's better to come over during the day, you'll see a lot more on the way as well.
A one way private car transfer from Phnom Penh will set you back between $50-$60 for the car, they can be arranged through most hostels, hotels and travel agents in Phnom Penh. The transfer is door-to-door and while this may be the most comfortable and convenient option, sixty bucks is enough to make a return trip to from Snooky... THREE TIMES.
Any travel agent or hostel in the capital will be able to help you to arrange a ticket on a mini bus for ten bucks or a large bus for a couple of dollars less. You could also look into share taxis but we would recommend taking a bus as they do tend to fill the share taxis up the gunnels and you'll be far more comfortable if you're not sharing a seat for one.
Don't worry about arranging a return trip, we'll sort that out for you when you're ready.
View Larger Map
A one way private car transfer from Phnom Penh will set you back between $50-$60 for the car, they can be arranged through most hostels, hotels and travel agents in Phnom Penh. The transfer is door-to-door and while this may be the most comfortable and convenient option, sixty bucks is enough to make a return trip to from Snooky... THREE TIMES.
Any travel agent or hostel in the capital will be able to help you to arrange a ticket on a mini bus for ten bucks or a large bus for a couple of dollars less. You could also look into share taxis but we would recommend taking a bus as they do tend to fill the share taxis up the gunnels and you'll be far more comfortable if you're not sharing a seat for one.
Don't worry about arranging a return trip, we'll sort that out for you when you're ready.
View Larger Map
Saturday, 13 July 2013
Ream National Park
Just 18 clicks out of town you'll find one of the gems of the Gulf's coast. The Ream National Park is full of beaches, mangroves, tropical forests, rivers and wildlife along with some of South East Asia's, if not the planet's most diverse birdlife with 155 identified species calling the park home, many of which are endangered.
Take a boat trip on the rive for a few dollars and you can look forward to seeing everything from dolphins to families of monkeys playing in the tropical forests that line the banks.
You have to see it to believe it and we can help arrange it for you, if you like we'll even organise a ranger to guide you on a stroll, for the princely sum of a couple of bucks an hour.
Take a boat trip on the rive for a few dollars and you can look forward to seeing everything from dolphins to families of monkeys playing in the tropical forests that line the banks.
You have to see it to believe it and we can help arrange it for you, if you like we'll even organise a ranger to guide you on a stroll, for the princely sum of a couple of bucks an hour.
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