shelter beach resort image
Christobel
...cities and beach resorts?
My wife and I are considering traveling to Thailand and Cambodia. We are more interested in temples and ruins than beaches and shopping, but we are not really backpackers or interested in "rustic" accomodations. Can you describe any experiences, good or bad, that you've had in these countries outside the major cities and resorts? For example, we're wondering about the prevalance of communal bathrooms, mosquito screening, etc., and whether decent (not necessarily fancy) lodging of a somewhat Western standard is generally available.
Answer
Thailand. I've been to Bangkok and Phuket several times, although I've also traveled off the beaten-path a couple times. There are many wats (temples) to see, if that's your area of interest. Thai people are generally friendly and many people speak English fluently. Phuket is mostly a beach resort town, although this area is probably still redeveloping after the huge earthquake and subsequent tsunami. You'll find more interesting sites elsewhere so I would tend to avoid this place.
Bangkok is still a must-see despite being a major metro-area. The Grand Palace is an absolute must. It is quite incredible and I definitely recommend checking it out. There are many other wats in the local area including Wat Pho and Wat Arun. I know you mentioned you weren't interested in shopping, but I enjoyed the weekend market and also the floating market, both of which were very "local" experiences. Chiang-Mai is another destination. It has become more touristy, but still has a lot of character. There are good and fairly inexpensive hotels at both Bangkok and Chiang-Mai.
In most cities in Thailand, there are decent accommodations. If you travel away from the cities, the hotels become scarce and can be quite rustic. Quite a few spots I've seen don't have indoor plumbing and there are only squat toilets. For many people this can be a major turnoff. In public areas, you may have to pay to use the toilets so it's best to carry some Bhat when you are out and about. Overall, cleanliness varies greatly when away from the major cities. Many joints provide mosquito netting since this is a major problem for people with "tasty" blood. Bring repellent regardless of your destination.
Safety is a concern in Bangkok. There are many con-artists, pickpockets and thieves around. Watch your belongings closely! Taxi drivers may also try to rip off tourists. I found it was easiest to have them run the meter rather than barter a price beforehand.
During the summer months, Thailand and SE Asia can become unbearably hot and humid. I found myself quite uncomfortable and often had to seek shade or shelter. Many places aren't air conditioned when you are away from Bangkok.
Cambodia. I've only been to two cities in Cambodia -- Penom Penh and Siem Reap. Siem Reap is undoubtedly worth a look since it is nearby Ankor Wat -- a must see. There were 3 or 4 very nice western style hotels in the surrounding area and there may be more now.
Penom Penh is a big, dirty, crowded city but it's probably still a good destination if you want to soak in some local culture. The cuisine is very delicious and there are several interesting sites here including a haunting tribute to the massacres which occurred in the mid 1970's killing fields. There are many western style hotels here and things are very inexpensive if you hang out where the locals go.
It is a little bit hard to get around Cambodia without the use of a tour guide. Many locals are not fluent. I took motorcycle (scooter) taxis when in Siem Reap to go from the hotel to the markets. There didn't seem to be much in the way of public transportation but I was on a tour with a minibus which took us from place to place. There are TONS of cool temples in and around Siem Reap.
I cannot comment on areas away from Penom Penh or Siem Reap since I have no experience. My experience in those two cities were excellent. Hotels were clean and inexpensive. Bathrooms were private with great air conditioning.
Safety in Cambodia is a concern although not necessarily from thieves or pickpockets. You will have to worry a little if you are in Penom Penh but Siem Reap has other problems. First, there are still landmines in the countryside and therefore you cannot really walk around away from the trails. Second, there are many children begging for money. I didn't feel scared, but this might make some people feel uneasy or unsafe.
Like Thailand, Cambodia is very hot during the summer months. Temperatures can soar to around 40 degrees (in excess of 110F). Bring sunblock and a good hat if you go when it is hot and humid. There are many mosquitoes some of which carry Malaria. Get shots before you go if you are concerned.
Again, like Thailand, many toilets are pay-to-use so carry some Riels when you are out of the hotel. Usually the WC's are filthy and often do not have toilet paper. Be sure to bring your own TP!
I hope this information is useful -- there is much more I could write but time is limited.
For more cool information on destinations, lodging, and tips check out lonely planet:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/cambodia/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/thailand/
Thailand. I've been to Bangkok and Phuket several times, although I've also traveled off the beaten-path a couple times. There are many wats (temples) to see, if that's your area of interest. Thai people are generally friendly and many people speak English fluently. Phuket is mostly a beach resort town, although this area is probably still redeveloping after the huge earthquake and subsequent tsunami. You'll find more interesting sites elsewhere so I would tend to avoid this place.
Bangkok is still a must-see despite being a major metro-area. The Grand Palace is an absolute must. It is quite incredible and I definitely recommend checking it out. There are many other wats in the local area including Wat Pho and Wat Arun. I know you mentioned you weren't interested in shopping, but I enjoyed the weekend market and also the floating market, both of which were very "local" experiences. Chiang-Mai is another destination. It has become more touristy, but still has a lot of character. There are good and fairly inexpensive hotels at both Bangkok and Chiang-Mai.
In most cities in Thailand, there are decent accommodations. If you travel away from the cities, the hotels become scarce and can be quite rustic. Quite a few spots I've seen don't have indoor plumbing and there are only squat toilets. For many people this can be a major turnoff. In public areas, you may have to pay to use the toilets so it's best to carry some Bhat when you are out and about. Overall, cleanliness varies greatly when away from the major cities. Many joints provide mosquito netting since this is a major problem for people with "tasty" blood. Bring repellent regardless of your destination.
Safety is a concern in Bangkok. There are many con-artists, pickpockets and thieves around. Watch your belongings closely! Taxi drivers may also try to rip off tourists. I found it was easiest to have them run the meter rather than barter a price beforehand.
During the summer months, Thailand and SE Asia can become unbearably hot and humid. I found myself quite uncomfortable and often had to seek shade or shelter. Many places aren't air conditioned when you are away from Bangkok.
Cambodia. I've only been to two cities in Cambodia -- Penom Penh and Siem Reap. Siem Reap is undoubtedly worth a look since it is nearby Ankor Wat -- a must see. There were 3 or 4 very nice western style hotels in the surrounding area and there may be more now.
Penom Penh is a big, dirty, crowded city but it's probably still a good destination if you want to soak in some local culture. The cuisine is very delicious and there are several interesting sites here including a haunting tribute to the massacres which occurred in the mid 1970's killing fields. There are many western style hotels here and things are very inexpensive if you hang out where the locals go.
It is a little bit hard to get around Cambodia without the use of a tour guide. Many locals are not fluent. I took motorcycle (scooter) taxis when in Siem Reap to go from the hotel to the markets. There didn't seem to be much in the way of public transportation but I was on a tour with a minibus which took us from place to place. There are TONS of cool temples in and around Siem Reap.
I cannot comment on areas away from Penom Penh or Siem Reap since I have no experience. My experience in those two cities were excellent. Hotels were clean and inexpensive. Bathrooms were private with great air conditioning.
Safety in Cambodia is a concern although not necessarily from thieves or pickpockets. You will have to worry a little if you are in Penom Penh but Siem Reap has other problems. First, there are still landmines in the countryside and therefore you cannot really walk around away from the trails. Second, there are many children begging for money. I didn't feel scared, but this might make some people feel uneasy or unsafe.
Like Thailand, Cambodia is very hot during the summer months. Temperatures can soar to around 40 degrees (in excess of 110F). Bring sunblock and a good hat if you go when it is hot and humid. There are many mosquitoes some of which carry Malaria. Get shots before you go if you are concerned.
Again, like Thailand, many toilets are pay-to-use so carry some Riels when you are out of the hotel. Usually the WC's are filthy and often do not have toilet paper. Be sure to bring your own TP!
I hope this information is useful -- there is much more I could write but time is limited.
For more cool information on destinations, lodging, and tips check out lonely planet:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/cambodia/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/thailand/
What are the differences between a beach and a "headlands and bays"?
Ayumi
Please list as many as you can think of. (It is revision for my geography test tomorrow. 10 points for best answers)
Example:
Beach are formed by deposition but headland and bay are formed by deposition and erosion.
Answer
A headland is a point of land, usually high and often with a sheer drop, that extends out into a body of water. The word is often used as a synonym for promontory. A headland is often referred to as simply a head, either in context or in names such as Beachy Head or Koko Head. Gibraltar is a headland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headland#List_of_some_well-known_headlands --------
Headlands and bays are often found together on the same stretch of coastline. A bay is surrounded by land on three sides, whereas a headland is surrounded by water on three sides. Headlands are characterized by high, breaking waves, rocky shores, intense erosion, and steep sea cliffs. Bays generally have less wave (and often wind) activity than the water outside the bay, and typically have sandy beaches. Headlands and bays form on discordant coastlines, where bands of rock of alternating resistance run perpendicular to the coast. Bays form where weak (less resistant) rocks (such as sands and clays) are eroded, leaving bands of stronger (more resistant) rocks (such as chalk, limestone, granite) forming a headland, or peninsula. This difference in the rate of erosion is caused by differential erosion. Refraction of waves occurs on headlands concentrating wave energy on them, so m
A headland is a point of land, usually high and often with a sheer drop, that extends out into a body of water. The word is often used as a synonym for promontory. A headland is often referred to as simply a head, either in context or in names such as Beachy Head or Koko Head. Gibraltar is a headland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headland#List_of_some_well-known_headlands --------
Headlands and bays are often found together on the same stretch of coastline. A bay is surrounded by land on three sides, whereas a headland is surrounded by water on three sides. Headlands are characterized by high, breaking waves, rocky shores, intense erosion, and steep sea cliffs. Bays generally have less wave (and often wind) activity than the water outside the bay, and typically have sandy beaches. Headlands and bays form on discordant coastlines, where bands of rock of alternating resistance run perpendicular to the coast. Bays form where weak (less resistant) rocks (such as sands and clays) are eroded, leaving bands of stronger (more resistant) rocks (such as chalk, limestone, granite) forming a headland, or peninsula. This difference in the rate of erosion is caused by differential erosion. Refraction of waves occurs on headlands concentrating wave energy on them, so m
Title Post: What have your experiences been with lodging in Thailand and Cambodia outside of the major...?
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