Siem Reap / Guest houses / malaria prevention
Oct 8th, 2005, 11:41 AM
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Siem Reap / Guest houses / malaria prevention
I prefer guest house to hotel wherever I travel. Has anyone been to Kohler, Laklom,Green Garden or Golden Banana in Siem Reap? I'm going during high season/ December , so want to reserve now.
There seems to be varying opinion on the need for malaria prevention medication. What's your experience? (only traveling around Siem Reap)
There seems to be varying opinion on the need for malaria prevention medication. What's your experience? (only traveling around Siem Reap)
Oct 8th, 2005, 07:46 PM
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we visit boston's beth isreal deaconess' medical center's travel clinic before each foreign trip and they insisted we have malerone for our SR trip....
why risk it...you may also need it for ko samet....we did for koh chang this past summer...
you might check out the cdc website
why risk it...you may also need it for ko samet....we did for koh chang this past summer...
you might check out the cdc website
Oct 9th, 2005, 09:34 AM
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Oct 13th, 2005, 12:09 AM
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I don't know what country you' re from but I would also suggest you go the organization in your country that advices on health issues related to travel. I live in the Netherlands and here, contrary apparently to the US, they say it is not necessary to take malaria medication for the Siem Reap area. They do strongly advice to take anti mosquito measures like wearing longsleaved shirts during dusk/dawn and using deet on skin that is not covered and sleeping under a mosquito net or in an airconditioned room. We didn't take malaria prevention medication for our trip to siem reap and felt very comformtable with that. Also, (and please ignore this last comment if for whatever reason it is something you really don't care to know) if you are a woman and want to get pregnant you should know that if you take Malarone you should wait for at least 2 cycles after taking the last pill before getting pregnant. Otherwise it can harm the baby.
But having said all this please check yourself as things may be different for your situation
But having said all this please check yourself as things may be different for your situation
Oct 13th, 2005, 10:09 AM
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I asked a similar question about anti-malarial medication for Angkor Wat and received some good direction. Do a search under my name and you'll see it was highly recommended that you take anti-malarial pills!
Oct 24th, 2005, 05:27 PM
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rhkkmk--you mentioned going to Ko Chang.I've been checking the latest guidebooks on Ko Samet for a while where I 've been set on going for a 4 day post Thailand tour, but the latest writings on it don't seem to speak of this island any longer as quiet and serene; rather a backpackers' party paradise. I'm a travelling youngish, senior and would like your input on Ko Chang. My choice of Ko Samet was proximity to Bangkok --3 hours by bus.
What are you feelings about Ko Chang? How did you get there? Suggestions on accommodations ( anything good around 1000B? )any other pertinent points? thanks
What are you feelings about Ko Chang? How did you get there? Suggestions on accommodations ( anything good around 1000B? )any other pertinent points? thanks
Oct 26th, 2005, 07:07 AM
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MHRS, I'm not RHKKMK but I have just been to Ko Chang in october. From what I've heard about Ko Samet (I haven't been there), Ko Chang is definitely more quiet but I wouldn't exactly call it a quiet and serene paradise either.
Although it wasn't very busy (low season)when I was there, I did think the place was very touristic. White Sands Beach is just packed with hotels, bungalows and bars and they are building everywhere. We stayed at KC at White Sands beach in a nice bungalow right on the beach. I don't remember exactly how much we payed but I think it was more than a 1000 bath. I can check if you're interested. They do have (as do lots of other places) bamboo thach huts for just a couple of 100 bath. Same beach, same view, but less comfort (your bed is just a mattress on the floor).
Ko Chang does get more quiet as you make your way down south along the west coast of the island. We didn't stay there because a lot of the places were closed when we were there during the rainy season.
We didn't see the east coast of the island but were told that there aren't any good beaches there.
As far as proximity, we flew from Trat to Bangkok. You can buy a package where they pick you up at your hotel, taken you on the ferry and drive you from the ferry to Trat airport. I think we left at 2 p.m. and were in Bangkok around 6 p.m.
We very much enjoyed our stay but I do feel we could just as well have stayed at any other beach.
Although it wasn't very busy (low season)when I was there, I did think the place was very touristic. White Sands Beach is just packed with hotels, bungalows and bars and they are building everywhere. We stayed at KC at White Sands beach in a nice bungalow right on the beach. I don't remember exactly how much we payed but I think it was more than a 1000 bath. I can check if you're interested. They do have (as do lots of other places) bamboo thach huts for just a couple of 100 bath. Same beach, same view, but less comfort (your bed is just a mattress on the floor).
Ko Chang does get more quiet as you make your way down south along the west coast of the island. We didn't stay there because a lot of the places were closed when we were there during the rainy season.
We didn't see the east coast of the island but were told that there aren't any good beaches there.
As far as proximity, we flew from Trat to Bangkok. You can buy a package where they pick you up at your hotel, taken you on the ferry and drive you from the ferry to Trat airport. I think we left at 2 p.m. and were in Bangkok around 6 p.m.
We very much enjoyed our stay but I do feel we could just as well have stayed at any other beach.
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Oct 26th, 2005, 04:48 PM
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Check this out:
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalaria/seasia.htm
The CDC does not appear to regard the risk of malaria to be very high.
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/regionalmalaria/seasia.htm
The CDC does not appear to regard the risk of malaria to be very high.
Oct 26th, 2005, 06:18 PM
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Thanks vakantie. I'm spending a mint during the rest of my tour--being with a tour group ( single senior traveling alone), so I'm attempting to cut costs here.
I'm not looking for anything under 1000 baht, but not much over if possible. --require proper bed, A/C , electricity and not much more. If you liked your accommodation, I actually would like to know cost--which will be a little less for a single. Many of the hotels don't have websites, so it's difficult to get info. Younger travelers seem to do walk- ins, but that's no longer my cuppa.-----especially in mid Dec. just before the holidays.
What about proximaty to restaurants? and is it necessary to get a songteaw or some means of transpotation rather than walk the beach to restaurants ?. I'm not into shopping etc.---just scenery and snorkeling. thanks again.
I'm not looking for anything under 1000 baht, but not much over if possible. --require proper bed, A/C , electricity and not much more. If you liked your accommodation, I actually would like to know cost--which will be a little less for a single. Many of the hotels don't have websites, so it's difficult to get info. Younger travelers seem to do walk- ins, but that's no longer my cuppa.-----especially in mid Dec. just before the holidays.
What about proximaty to restaurants? and is it necessary to get a songteaw or some means of transpotation rather than walk the beach to restaurants ?. I'm not into shopping etc.---just scenery and snorkeling. thanks again.
Oct 26th, 2005, 07:17 PM
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hi50phd, I am bewildered by your two recent posts about malarial risk. In both you give the cdc website and say that the cdc doesn't consider it a risk, but the information from the cdc is different.
Here is the information on Cambodia directly from the cdc website on malarila risk areas:
Cambodia: All, except no risk in Phnom Penh and around Lake Tonle Sap. Risk exists at the temple complex at Angkor Wat (Siem Reap).
Here is the information on Cambodia directly from the cdc website on malarila risk areas:
Cambodia: All, except no risk in Phnom Penh and around Lake Tonle Sap. Risk exists at the temple complex at Angkor Wat (Siem Reap).
Oct 28th, 2005, 07:23 AM
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MHRS, I checked and I'm not sure KC is what your looking for. I have no receipt anymore but my boyfriend says that KC quoted us a rate of 1800 baht They were willing to discount to 1600 baht if we payed upfront and for 2 nights in a row. We ended up staying 4 nights and they discounted us another 100 baht for the last 2. This rate was including taxes and full american breakfast. We stayed in a 'standard room' beachfront cabin which is their cheapest cabin. It was nice (had all the amenities ac, tv fridge) but small. They were redoing and enlarging the cabins that weren't occupied when we were there. I don't know if this will affect the price. Also it was still low season when we were there, december will probably be more expensive. It was however a nice and pleasant place to stay.
A little further down from KC was a place which I think was called White Sands Beach resort which we also checked out. It also had beachfront cabins that were very basic but did have ac and private bathroom. It had no luxury at all, don't expect any frills, but it was around a 1000 baht per night.
Have you tried checking out sites like asiarooms.com, asiativ.com and precisionreservations.com? I think they also list a lot of Ko chang hotels and they generally have good deals. In Ko Chang we did what you called a walk in, but in bangkok we booked The Davis through precisionreservations and got a pretty good deal. This way you can also compare the rates a little.
If you stay at KC or the other place I mentioned all the restaurants are in walking distance. There is a sort of main street that runs parallel with the beach behind the beachfront hotels were you can find many restaurants. We love seafood and had dinner almost every night at a very simple and chaep place not far from KC (a 2 minute walk) were they barbecued your fish with lots of vegetables wrapped in aluminum foil (you know, like Jamie Oliver does as well). We had some excellent tuna and snapper. Also very good pad thai and papaya salad there. There are also some more upscale restaurants and you can have dinner at almost any of the hotels at the beach.
A little further down from KC was a place which I think was called White Sands Beach resort which we also checked out. It also had beachfront cabins that were very basic but did have ac and private bathroom. It had no luxury at all, don't expect any frills, but it was around a 1000 baht per night.
Have you tried checking out sites like asiarooms.com, asiativ.com and precisionreservations.com? I think they also list a lot of Ko chang hotels and they generally have good deals. In Ko Chang we did what you called a walk in, but in bangkok we booked The Davis through precisionreservations and got a pretty good deal. This way you can also compare the rates a little.
If you stay at KC or the other place I mentioned all the restaurants are in walking distance. There is a sort of main street that runs parallel with the beach behind the beachfront hotels were you can find many restaurants. We love seafood and had dinner almost every night at a very simple and chaep place not far from KC (a 2 minute walk) were they barbecued your fish with lots of vegetables wrapped in aluminum foil (you know, like Jamie Oliver does as well). We had some excellent tuna and snapper. Also very good pad thai and papaya salad there. There are also some more upscale restaurants and you can have dinner at almost any of the hotels at the beach.
Nov 22nd, 2005, 06:42 PM
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from MHRS. I couldn't log on with my registered info and took a new name.
Thanks everyone for all your advice, suggestions etc. I've decided against the Thailand beaches in favor of a day in Phnom Penh and two at Sihanoukville. I realize that the beach won't compare to Thai beaches, but since it will be on my way to Siem Reap, it might be less of a run around. As well, the experience on Tonle Sap and a bus ride from PNP to the beach add to getting acquainted with more of the country and the culture than just the temples.
It's a definite yes on malarial prevention .
I've chosen a guest house , Yaklom, one of three on my list. All the guest houses respond quickly by email. It's been a pleasure to have had contact with them.
Thanks everyone for all your advice, suggestions etc. I've decided against the Thailand beaches in favor of a day in Phnom Penh and two at Sihanoukville. I realize that the beach won't compare to Thai beaches, but since it will be on my way to Siem Reap, it might be less of a run around. As well, the experience on Tonle Sap and a bus ride from PNP to the beach add to getting acquainted with more of the country and the culture than just the temples.
It's a definite yes on malarial prevention .
I've chosen a guest house , Yaklom, one of three on my list. All the guest houses respond quickly by email. It's been a pleasure to have had contact with them.
