Most Inspirational Moment
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Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Interesting and fun
Ankor Wat is obviously a must-see. Cyclying along the city walls without tourists, just water and people fishing on one side and the jungle on the other to the sound of cicadas made it even more magical. Our guide Soukimm was brilliant throughout and fascinating on the stone friezes in the Bayon temple. See 13th century life with noodle making, healthcare and every day life. All the temples are truly awesome.
S-21 and the Killing Fields in Phnom Pehn are a reminder of how important peace is and the dangers of extremism. The cyclo ride throught the traffic at sunset really gave you a different view of this rapidly changing city. Battambang was a cool place and it was salutary to see how hard ordinary people have to work to survive. Eating bbq barracudas on the deserted island was also a highlight although thankfully they now avoid Koh Kong.
This is a poor country undergoing huge changes, only 5% of the population are over 60 following the Pol Pot massacres and as such fascinating. The crab/sea food markets of Kampor are wonderful and if you fancy snacking on crunchy crickets or ants then do try them.
Our group and guide Soukimm was amazing and we had such fun all the time. However, be aware you are off out at 8am nearly every day and do travel in a bus on dodgy part-made roads for about 5 hours a day.
I recommend taking a gel seat for the bikes!
So if you don’t just want to tick off key wonders of the world but want to explore and see a country then choose this trip – you won’t regret it.
Superb Experience
I would not describe this trip as an adventure holiday but an experience.
It was full of emotion, culture and recent history. While this trip would not be for everyone and you need to be a bit prepared for the sad times it was a life experience and learning unlikely to be found on any normal “holiday”
Most Inspirational Moment
Most inspirational moments were two trip not part of the itinerary but suggested by the tour leader. The first was an early visit to the fish market, 3 of us went and we were the only non-locals to be seen. Cambodian life was happening around us, we were right in the heart of the morning work. The local people just carried on their business as if we were not present. Second was a trip to the Rolous Temples on the last day. Far less people and visiting these temples just consolidated and rounded off the whole visit to Cambodia
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our tour leader - Bun - was 100% dedicated to making sure we all enjoyed and experienced Cambodia. Bun was ever attentive, adapted to requests, was constantly checking everything was just right. He loved his country and his knowledge was endless. But more, he brought his personal experience to the trip in a really positive way for us to understand life in Cambodia now and in the recent past. To top it all he had a really loveable sense of humour and engaged everyone
Advice for Potential Travellers
Do not expect the normal adventure holiday, yes there are good hotels and sights but there is also the emotional side of the recent past history which was compelling even though sad to hear. This trip is about a country coming to terms with its past and in early stages of becoming whole again.
Suggestions
I would suggest that Exodus re-look at the amount of travel involved to Koh Kong as the full day coach travel too and a full day travel back did not justify the little there is to see and do at Koh Kong. I also think Exodus need to re-look at some of the stops e.g. silver shop - as here they are selling, by weight, what is said to be silver but is, in fact, silver plate and sold in the local markets of Siem Reap at much reduced prices. Its not made by the local craft people.
Discover the real Cambodia.
A great trip with huge variety showing you the best of this beautiful friendly and historic country.
Most Inspirational Moment
A visit to the genocide museum showing the shocking brutality of the Khmer rouge regime became the highlight when we met one of the survivors of the prison and spent time talking to him. Un extremely humbling experience that will always be one of the highlights of all my travels where life takes me. The temples of Angkor did not disappoint and the cycling trip around them is a great way to get away from the crowds for a while. Getting up for sunrise is a must to see Angkor watt at it'so best and to get in before it gets too crowded. If you get chance to have an extra day in spam reap it is very easy to hire a tuc tuc to take you back to any temples you want to spend more time at or get to some.of the smaller and quieter templesthat are more atmospheric due to the lack of crowds and the unspoilt nature of these less frequented temples.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Great knowledgeable leader who managed to some how always meet the variety of needs of our group. Always had a smile on his face and dealt with problems (illness, lost luggage, lost group members) without any fuss and bother. Willing to share his and his families experiences of the recent genocide in his country. Always new where to find great food and drink.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Stay an extra day in Siam Reap at the end and get a tuc tuc for your own personal trip around the temples. Take part in the bike rides despite the heat, it's a great way to get out into the countryside and meet the locals and at Angkor a great way to get away from the crowds.
Suggestions
Cambodia is much poor than its neighbours but the people are friendlier and give tourists a warm welcome. The hotels, facilities and transport are basic but provide all the essentials. Get to Cambodia before it becomes a mecca for tourists.
Cambodia Adventure
This holiday was my first experience of a third world country and as such was extremely interesting. In spite of some poverty, all the hotels were built in recent years and were of a high standard. Our experiences were varied: chaotic traffic in the cities, visits to country villages, two days on cycles, boat trips, learning about the history of Cambodia’s civil war and how the country if recovering, trekking up a mountain and seeing mangroves. We enjoyed visiting the famous temple at Angkor Wat and several lesser temples in the region. The people were friendly and welcoming.
Most Inspirational Moment
I loved the day cycling round the vilages to see rice paper being made, bamboo tubes being filled with sticky rice, tropical fruits being sliced and dried in the sun, fish being processed (very smelly but interesting). All the local people worked long days for little money, but were very smiley and welcoming. At one stop we had a lovely snack of tropical fruit.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader was excellent, and able to give us plenty of information. He took care of us very well. We had a few 'incidents' such as a flat tyre and one member of the party being unwell, but he coped very efficiently with everything. He guided us to good restaurants and was always on the watch, making sure we were all there and happy. His own family had been badly affected by the civil war, so he was able to talk knowledgeably about Cambodian history - particularly when we visited the 'Killing Fields' and a Khmer Rouge prison. His English was fluent, though he had quite an accent. However, this was no problem as we all quickly tuned into it. Like so many Cambodians he was small, smiley and unflappable.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take the advice you are given to guard your belongings carefully. For example, wear a money belt or use a concealed pocket. Wear bags across your shoulder and hold them. (We had a couple of 'incidents'). We were not too plagued by mosquitoes, but I would advise using DEET whenever outside. Carry some toilet paper to use in the squat toilets. These are usually clean enough and often have running water, but often lack paper.
Suggestions
I thoroughly enjoyed my holiday and the variety of experiences we had. As I've mentioned, I loved the first cycling day, but the second one was round the lesser temples and we were cycling on busy roads with vans, motorbikes and tuk-tuks everywhere. I found it scary and fumey. I did have the option to ride in the bus, so I'm not complaining, but I wonder if Exodus should re-think this day. THANK YOU EXODUS FOR A GREAT HOLIDAY IN LOVELY SUNSHINE - We came home to snow!
Cambodia Adventure
I cannot recommend this trip highly enough. It provided a fascinating glimpse into life in Cambodia. Such a wide variety of experiences: river boat trips, crafts people sharing their life stories with us, being welcomed into the home of one family for dinner, markets, schools, processions, dancing displays, acrobats, musicians, royal palaces and, of course, the world-famous temples at Angkor, Thom etc. Everywhere we went people greeted us with a beaming smile and a generosity of spirit that will live long in the memory. Food was delicious and hotels very good, way beyond my expectations – most even had swimming pools – and staff were always delightful, efficient and extremely helpful.
Most Inspirational Moment
Perhaps it was the resilience of the Cambodian people after such a traumatic recent history - a lesson to us all.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Chana was excellent , not just because of her command of the English language, but also because of her general enthusiasm, her sense of humour and her knowledge of her country's culture and history. She organised everything to perfection - nothing was too much trouble for her.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for some distressing moments at the Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields.
Suggestions
Cambodia deserves a helping hand from tourism so I would encourage folk to go there!
Cambodian Adventure
An excellent trip which combined awesome historical sites, modern cultural encounters, fun activities in great natural surroundings all with fantastic food shared with great people, an excellent guide and a steady driver to hold it together.
Most Inspirational Moment
Aside from the chilling poignancy and reflective moments of the killing fields in Phnom Phenh, cycling around the Battanbang countryside, meeting farmers, strolling around local market and trying bamboo rice on the roadside as well as enjoying a delicious homestay lunch. In the evening watching millions of bats leaving their cave was a natural wonder. Although Angkor Wat was impressive because of its size, Banteay Srey Wat's amazing intricate stone carvings, Ta Prohm and Banyon were astounding. Don't miss the $20 day trip to Koh Kong island's deserted tropical beach with an amazing lunch cooked by the boat crew.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Lee was a very knowledgeable, patient, easy going and a fun leader who took our group to excellent restaurants allowing us to sample delicious Cambodian food. During the course of the trip he shared his culture and told us much about the ancient and recent history of his country and some of the experiences of his family. A perfect combination of efficiency and cool!
Advice for Potential Travellers
For an easy life, don't bring cash Pounds or Euro's. Almost everything is priced in US dollars, and most cash machines dispense US dollars. Shops and restaurants all have lots of small denomination dollars, or will give small amounts of change in Riels.
Cambodian Adverture
Well constructed trip to see the life and history of this country.
Most Inspirational Moment
Angkor Wat at dawn
Thoughts on Group Leader
Group leader was well organised and managed the various needs of the member of the group
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go with the flow and wear plenty of Deet!
Suggestions
Great experience doing the two bike rides on the trip, you get to see and feel so much more of Cambodia
Cambodian Adventure
Interesting and enjoyable holiday,
Most Inspirational Moment
There were 5, The bamboo railway for man's ingenuity, the killing fields for man's inhumanity, the smaller villages for the hard working local population for low wages. Angkor Wat for being Angkor Wat, and the people on the trip with similar interests and sense of fun.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very good, well up with history of country, religious heritage, honesty when giing information, and organisation, never seemingly to to get flustered.
Advice for Potential Travellers
In their documentation I did not think Exodus make it clear about currency, the Currency of Cambodia may be the Riel, but the currency on the street, shops and used by Exodus for any optional extras is the US dollar, I would advise taking US dollars, do not bother changing any money into Riel, apart from a few traders in remote villages, everyone uses and quotes dollars, in Restaurants your bill will automatically come priced in dollars and Riel give dollars you will get change in dollars, with small amounts in Riel, everywhere prices are marked in Dollars. The hotels happily changed larger bills into smaller notes. If you can get some small dollar bills take them.
Suggestions
I am not a foody, friends say the best they get out of me is "it was OK" but food and its presentation in the places we ate at was excellent, best food I have had on holidays around Asia. Would recommend the Kampot Pepper dishes. The accommodation we stayed in was excellent.
Cambodia.... wow!!
Cambodia exceeded all of my expectations. I went out over my 40th birthday to escape having to have a party and had the best holiday I’ve ever had! Brilliant mix of fun and history
Most Inspirational Moment
Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples. I personally loved the jungle temple and would advise anyone to go before tourism really takes off
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ly was fantastic, he was very informative and had a great sense of humour. He was well organised, friendly and his 'shit stories' on the coach lightened several long coach rides.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Never underestimate a sand fly!! Although I fully DEET-ed up at every opportunity, these little gits left a couple of us looking like we had smallpox after a trip to the beach!! Also, don't worry about taking Cambodian Riel- everywhere takes dollars.
Suggestions
Battambang bamboo train was a definite highlight, so much fun and the closest to feeling like Indiana Jones I've ever come. Don't miss the cyclo tour of Phnom Penh or Siem Reap bats either!
Cambodian Adventure
This trip gave us the opportunity to experience urban and rural Cambodia. It was not just about the major attractions like Angkor Wat,but also less visited places such as Koh Kong. With just 5 people in the group it was easy to organise ourselves and our tour leader Rous was always great company, ensuring we were enjoying what we were doing and offering us lots of local Cambodian foods.
Most Inspirational Moment
Our visit to Bantreay Srey was a delight. Although other temples were awesome in their size and complexity it was this temple that was a highlight. The intricacy of the relief work and the attention to detail was amazing. We were very glad that this was part of the itinerary and not just the bigger temples.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Rous was so much fun and a great ambassador for her country. She was knowledgeable about its past and the sadness of its recent history, but full of optimism for its future. This was such an important cultural message to impart. She was caring and considerate, making sure we could comfortably complete the bicycle rides when some of us weren't feeling very well. Rous often stopped the mini-bus so we could try new foods, see how foods were prepared, exposing us to all things Cambodian, that we otherwise would miss out on.
Advice for Potential Travellers
We visited Cambodia in late October, when the weather on the south coast was still quite wet. Because of the humidity an umbrella is of more use than a plastic poncho (you sweat less). Apply the bugspray (Rous's words) before you think you need it. Just put it on before venturing out, like putting on your shoes. Take as little as possible - 3 of everything is enough. Just handwash more often. We fitted everything into 40L backpacks. Any walking we did, did not require hiking boots and we didn't take any gear specifically for the cycling we did.
Suggestions
This was a very enjoyable trip because of its diversity. Going west to Koh Kong gave us an opportunity to see a little of regional Cambodia- the Cardamon mountains and the mangrove sanctuary were a welcome respite from the pace of Phnom Penh. Angkor Wat and other temples were stunning and are probably reason enough to go to Cambodia. Travelling with a small group has many benefits , as does having a local tour leader who is part of the country you are visiting.