Cambodia
News:
Koh Ker and Grand Preah Khan temples:
As a result of an extensive inspection-trip to these two remote sites (80km’s off Siem Reap) we came to the conclusion that it is not suitable to promote trips to theses once untouched temples. As a matter of facts, we encountered utterly bad road-conditions, non-existent accommodation nor restaurants, lacking security, mine threats, uncontrolled forest fires, rivers with sudden rising water-levels, no telephone coverage in case of emergency and ultimately, heavily looted, tear-up and vandalised temples, though without any archaeological interest. Consequently, we refrain from organizing trips to this hazardous region as it is seen as being highly questionable.
Airlines
News:
Eva Air (Taiwan) is now linking Taipei with Phnom Penh by 3 weekly non-stop flights (Tuesday, Friday & Saturday).
Siem
Reap Airways International offers a new additional
flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap v.v.:
Phnom Penh ~ Siem Reap (daily) Siem Reap ~ Phnom Penh (daily)
dep: 14.00h
arr: 14.40h FT
994 New!
dep: 12.40h arr:
13.30h FT 993 New!
Starting
April 1, 2002
Phnom Penh ~ Siem Reap (daily) Siem Reap ~ Phnom Penh (daily)
dep: 11.20h arr: 12.00h FT 994 dep: 10.00h arr: 10.50h FT 993
Siem Reap’s old International Airport facilities have been knocked down and transferred 100m to the south. Unfortunately, this provisory building has no air-condition nor VIP arrival/departure lounges, thus lacks of ideal conditions, therefore it shall be operated until end of October 2002, when the new International Airport building gets unveiled.
Hotel
News in Siem Reap:
Princess Angkor Hotel
Siem Reap:
This new 3-star property, located on the airport road (2 km’s from the town-centre), opened on 1st February 2002 and offers similar quality standards as Angkor Hotel. All 116 rooms are spacious, comfortable and well appointed (100 standards, 10 deluxe and 6 suites), with all the necessary amenities of a 3-star hotel with international standards, such as a swimming pool, 1 restaurants and function rooms for 300 person, as well as a fully equipped fitness centre and massage parlour (opening May 2002), which offers a perfect answer to travellers who wish to enjoy a comfortable stay in Angkor without paying for the deluxe category.
Victoria
Hotel Siem Reap:
This new 4-star property is still under construction and shall be completed by January 2003.
We also have been happy to learn that Ms Marie Dominique Santoni, our former General Manager, have join the Hotels Victoria based in Paris as sale coordinator for Europe. We wish her success.
Sofitel Royal Angkor has completed its new wing with an additional 63 deluxe rooms and suites in its property.
Angkor Village Hotel now offers 49 rooms (33 Deluxe and 14 Standard) under an excellent French Management.
Restaurant
News in Siem Reap:
Barrio Bar is the latest Fine-dine restaurant and bar in town. Opened in January, Barrio Bar serves excellent French and Cambodian dishes at reasonable rates. It offers 50 comfortable seats in a cosy décor and is under French Management.
Auberge Mont Royal launched a new restaurant-wing, with a Bistro Bar, High Tea Salon, Fine-dine Restaurant and an Art-Gallery, in a beautiful setting of colours, plants and design.
Important
News about Phnom Penh and Siem Reap:
New Express Boat
Service:
A new daily operating boat-service links Phnom Penh to Chau Doc (Vietnam) v.v., leaving Phnom Penh at 8.00a.m. and arrives in Cau Doc at 1.30h p.m. From Chau Doc it sails at 8.30h a.m. and arrives in Phnom Penh at 2.00p.m. This air-conditioned Express boat has a capacity from 80 to 90 passengers, however, passengers will be transferred into another boat at the Vietnamese/Cambodian border.
New
routes and improved road conditions:
Siem Reap’s road conditions have greatly improved. The Japanese Road Project finished a 17km asphalted road, notably to the Rolous Temples, which can now be reached in 45min only. Inner city -and temple roads were rehabilitated by the Cambodian Government, thus contribute to a smooth and save ride.
An excellent road now links Bangkok to Siem Reap, precisely from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet (Thai border), crossing the border into Cambodia at Poipet, which opens a new possibility to visit Battambang before reaching Siem Reap. Please do not hesitate to contact us in case of interest.
Unconfirmed sources mentioned a new road-link between Chau Doc (Vietnam) and Phnom Penh going to be unveiled, which cuts-down travel time to just 3hrs (to be verified).
Angkor
Silk Farm Puok:
Helene Valentin, our former Marketing & Public Relations Manager in Siem Reap, is now challenging her new position as a Marketing Manager at “Les Artisans d’Angkor” and will be delighted to welcome you at Angkor Silk Farm of Puok, approx. 16km’s on RN6, near the Western Baray. This farm hosts the National Silk Center (CNS), where numerous youth are taking a part in the renewal of an age-old Cambodian tradition. An absolute must to visit.
Jayavarman
VII Hospital Kantha Bopha:
As per from today Doctor Beat Richner is unfortunately not able to guide any tours thru his hospitals, due to a too hectic working-schedule. However, it is possible to visit the information center of the Hospital from Monday to Friday, 08.00h-11.00h and 15.00h-17.00h, where T-Shirts, books and VHS Cassettes are available, as well as the possibility to make a donation. Dr. Beat (Beatocello) Richner plays Cello-music by J.S. Bach and songs by Beatocello every Saturday at 7.15p.m., at Hospital Jayavarman VII, on the road to the temples of Angkor (free admission).
ASIAN
TOURISM FORUM (ATF):
Cambodia will host this extremely important event in Phnom Penh from 20-28th January 2003. ATF is a cooperative regional effort to promote the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region as one tourist destination and provides a platform for the selling and buying of regional and individual tourism products of ASEAN member countries.
More information refer to: www.asiantrails.com and www.asiantrails.com/cambodia/index.htm