Phnom Penh Prices

« In Cambodia, the national currency is so devalued that all transactions are made in US dollars. For instance, one coconut costs around $0.75. I thought back in 2009 that there was probably more American cash here than in America itself! :) It's convenient, but it can get expensive, especially since we were earning in Australian dollars, and the exchange rate these days... »

« "After a walk around the outskirts of Cambodia's capital with heaps of trash everywhere and a terrible smell, the city center was a pleasant surprise. Of course, everything here is made for tourists – prices in dollars, costly, a lot of European cafés, and tourists at every step. But, in return, the city center is tidy, showcasing beautiful and majestic architecture, friendly and polite people at hotels, where we just go in to enjoy free Wi-Fi, sip some water, and cool down. Tomorrow, back to the uncivilized places)." »

« Time to head to Cambodia, a place that had received mixed reviews. But for us, everything went absolutely wonderfully! More on that later...

We traveled from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh by bus, and, taking a bit of a risk, we decided to give the driver an extra $5 to help with the visa process (there are so many stories about getting it 🙈). This turned out to be the quickest crossing. We didn’t even have to glance into the honest eyes of the border officers, didn’t wait in any lines, and our passports were ready at a cafe, already on Cambodian soil. »

« To leave Laos and get your passport back with a stamp immediately, you need to pay $1 per person. Moving on, at the Cambodia border, you have to hand over another $1 for unclear reasons. There's no point in arguing; they just won't let you through. The most important stop is where they issue the Cambodia visa. Initially, the visa costs $35 per person, but if you make a fuss, you might get it for $30. While we were complaining, our small bus left without us. We were moved to a bigger one without a discussion. Another stop follows where everyone gets distributed among buses again. We ended up in a minivan, and since there were a lot of people, they added extra seats in the back, cramming all the luggage under our feet. We were packed tightly, four people in one row. We took a detour to pick up the driver's friend, and then made another unnecessary stop. After seven hours of being cramped and hot, we finally reached Phnom Penh. As usual, we declined tuk-tuks and helpers, searching for a hotel. After three attempts, we found one for $6 a night. We're staying for two nights. »

« Real money :) you exchange dollars for a pack of coins and go distribute them to the Buddhas. »

« So this is how the royal family lives in Cambodia. We paid $13 to enter, and everything was closed 😡 You can only look at the buildings and peek through the windows 😡🙈 But it is still very beautiful and luxurious 🌟🌟 »

« Back in Phnom Penh with new accommodation for $6! »

« Royal Palace. Ticket is $6.50, but you have to buy a t-shirt or pants for $3 if your shoulders or knees are exposed. »

« Phnom Penh. A city and a country for 1 dollar. Almost everything costs that much. Temples, temples, and more temples. There's really not much else to see here. The bloody regime of Pol Pot leveled everything to the ground. Strolling and riding around the city isn’t appealing either. Trash, dirt, chaos, and heat on the streets. The city name speaks for itself - Phnom Penh City. Though maybe it's for the best; one can get lost in thought and tackle tasks that have been put off. Or it’s time to head south to the beaches and then north to Angkor. »

« The market has some crazy prices. Cherries go for about $20 per kilogram, and the big shrimp are priced at $12, while the really large ones, which they call lobsters, are $31-33. Bracelets start at $17, but you can negotiate them down to $4. The seller wouldn’t take the pants from my hands until I agreed to a price I was comfortable with! 😄 »