What have your experiences been with lodging in Thailand and Cambodia outside of the major...?

beach shelter shade 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/

What are some of your favorite classic rock songs?

Miss April

90's music doesn't count as 'classic' rock--try to pick ones from the 60's, 70's, or 80's. Also, when I say rock, I mean rock, not necessarily metal (unless the metal song(s) were mainstream enough to be played on classic rock radio stations). I know a pretty decent amount of the hits, so whoever gives the most that I know will recieve best answer I guess. Thanks ahead of time!

Answer
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
Light My Fire - Doors
You Really Got Me - Kinks
Sunshine Of Your Love - Cream
Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix
Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
My Generation - The Who
All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds
Proud Mary - Creedence Clearwater Revival
A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group
All Day And All Of The Night - Kinks
Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
Born To Be Wild - Steppenwolf
Oh, Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison
White Room - Cream
Sympathy For The Devil - Rolling Stones
Eight Miles High - Byrds
Nights In White Satin - Moody Blues
Heart Full Of Soul - Yardbirds
Honky Tonk Women - Rolling Stones
Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes - Crosby, Stills & Nash
Glad All Over - Dave Clark Five
Dazed And Confused - Led Zeppelin
Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
Paint It Black - Rolling Stones
Wild Thing - Troggs
She's Not There - Zombies
Touch Me - Doors
Time Of The Season - Zombies
Waterloo Sunset - Kinks
I Can See For Miles - The Who
My Back Pages - Byrds
Jefferson Airplane
Time Has Come Today - Chambers Brothers
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Evil Ways - Santana
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida - Iron Butterfly
Do Wah Diddy Diddy - Manfred Mann
Devil With A Blue Dress On & Good Golly Miss Molly - Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels
Piece Of My Heart - Big Brother & the Holding Company
Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf
The Weight - The Band
We Gotta Get Out Of This Place - Animals
David Bowie
You Keep Me Hangin' On - Vanilla Fudge
The End - Doors
Get Together - Youngbloods
Kick Out The Jams - MC5
Heartbreaker/Living Loving Maid - Led Zeppelin
Johnny Kidd & the Pirates
A Well Respected Man - Kinks
Street Fighting Man - Rolling Stones
Summertime Blues - Blue Cheer
Hush - Deep Purple
Groovin' - Young Rascals
Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
Hotel California - The Eagles
Imagine - John Lennon
Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
Maggie May - Rod Stewart
Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd
More Than a Feeling - Boston
Roxanne - The Police
Dream On - Aerosmith
London Calling - The Clash
Anarchy in the UK - The Sex Pistols
We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions - Queen
Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple
Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
Walk This Way - Aerosmith
Train in Vain - The Clash
Take It Easy - The Eagles
American Woman - The Guess Who
Angie - The Rolling Stones
Reeling in the Years - Steely Dan
Aqualung - Jethro Tull
Low Rider - War
The Boys Are Back in Town - Thin Lizzy
Rocket Man - Elton John
The Joker - The Steve Miller Band
Have You Ever Seen the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Paradise by the Dashboard Light - Meat Loaf
School's Out - Alice Cooper
Joy to the World - Three Dog Night
Highway to Hell - AC/DC
Radar Love - Golden Earring
Oye Como Va - Santana
All the Young Dudes - Mott the Hoople
Child in Time - Deep Purple
Long Cool Woman - The Hollies
Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith
Cars - Gary Numan
Ramblin' Man - The Allman Brothers
Just the Way You Are - Billy Joel
Rock and Roll All Nite - KISS
Autobahn - Kraftwerk
Fame - David Bowie
Time - Pink Floyd
Lust for Life - Iggy Pop
Refugee - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
We're an American Band - Grand Funk
Listen to the Music - The Doobie Brothers
Runnin' with the Devil - Van Halen
Who Are You - The Who
Fly Like an Eagle - The Steve Miller Band
Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas
Surrender - Cheap Trick
Cocaine - Eric Clapton


take care
dave

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