Category: Advice

Is Cambodia Safe?

by Anil Polat | Oct 17, 2024 | Advice, Security | 1

Most government warnings tend to be on the cautions side but those for Cambodia are especially alarming. Crime, theft, and robbery are all prominently highlighted but just how safe is Cambodia really? As for any country it depends on where you are but the main warnings are best managed with generous amounts of common sense.

Bag Snatching

Many of the warnings revolve around bag snatching where someone, usually two people on a motorbike, will grab a bag as they pass by you on the street. These are fast crimes of opportunity that can be avoided by carrying your bag or purse on the opposite side of the street. Simply by having your body in between the street and your bag makes you a more difficult target to hit quickly so it reduces your chances of a snatch and grab. Same goes for your phone or camera but any items you can keep out of sight while walking, the better.

Elements

There aren’t masses of people robbing tourists on the streets but there is something every visitor will have to deal with and that’s the heat. Cambodia is located around the 12 north latitude close to the equator. That makes the sun much stronger than anywhere in the US or Europe so prepare with sunscreen and remember to stay hydrated. Although you might be a city like Phnom Penh and surrounded by restaurants and cafes you can still end up dehydrated if you’re not consistently drinking water.

Always keep a bottle with you and plan your days like locals do, try to avoid the mid-day sun.

Follow The Sun

When it gets darker you’ll want to be even more aware of your surroundings. You’ll also want to avoid casinos and “massage” parlors and seedy bars, all places where scams, crime, and worse are much more likely to happen. Stay clear of those are your trip is much, much more likely to go smoothly.

You can also use the Grab app to call a ride or tuk tuk to get from one place to another and stay out of the sun or after hours get back to your hotel safely. Overall Cambodia is a destination you can visit safely and without incident if you follow some common sense advice to stay out of trouble.

Everything You Need To Know About Songkran In Thailand (Especially Bangkok)

by Anil Polat | Sep 26, 2024 | Advice, Culture | 2

Throughout Southeast Asia from about April 13th-April 16th the massive water festival Songkran takes place. Songkran is actually Buddhist New Year and in many places like Thailand has evolved into a water gun fight that takes place throughout the streets. One of the most exciting and active places to experience Songkran is in Bangkok.

Here’s everything you need to know about Songkran in Bangkok, from where to go, the ground rules, and how to have the best time of your life.

Songkran In A Soggy Nutshell

Buckets of water, hoses, and of course oversize water guns it’s hard to describe how widespread the soaking is during Songkran. (That’s what the video here is all about.) From the moment you walk out the door, at any hour, you are subject to getting water sprayed, splashed, and dunked on you by anyone on the street. You either accept it or don’t go outside during Songkran. You too however are free to shoot, spray, and splash back, with some exceptions.

Songkran Rules

A few groups of people are exempt from getting water thrown on them. This list of groups includes monks, the elderly, babies, people in shops and stores, as well as workers at food stalls or outside. People who may have trouble moving through disability as well shouldn’t be wet unless they’re participating. It take a bit of common sense but when you’re out during Songkran, you’ll quickly be able to figure out who’s in and those groups you shouldn’t throw water on.

Don’t shoot people in the eyes and don’t shoot drivers (especially those on motorbikes) either. Be thoughtful and observe how locals around you are behaving and you shouldn’t run into any trouble. Lastly, it’s not an official rule but try not to get the water in your mouth because chances are it’s not clean. Bringing along a towel or goggles to protect your eyes from water is also not a bad idea.

Where To Enjoy Songkran

I did say that Songkran happens across Bangkok but there are some hot spots. You can start at Wat Pho, one of the biggest temples in the city to see the religious side of Songkran. There’s music, offerings, as well as music and food. Songkran at Wat Pho is a laid back experience but it does get crowded so you can arrive early to avoid the peak times.

Another Songkran hot spot is Khaosan Road, the notorious backpacker street. Here Songkran is a full on party with lots of tourists in the mix. During the day it’s hectic and at night it can be described as mild chaos as the music (and drinking) all get turned up. Khaosan Road during Songkran is not for the faint of heart.

You can also go to Silom Road, which is even more crowded and a local favorite place to celebrate. There’s a beautiful barrage of water from all angles with large crowds, plenty of food and shops around to refuel and probably the best place to enjoy Songkran if you want to go all in. For a more family atmosphere there’s Siam Square where it’s known as “white Songkran” since alcohol is not served here. You still get the crowds but more kids so if you have little ones it might be the best spot for you.

How To Spend A Day In Vientiane, Laos

by Anil Polat | Sep 12, 2024 | Advice, Food | 0

The capital of Laos, Vientiane is often a hoping off spot for visitors headed to the northern mountains of Luang Prabang or perhaps Vang Vieng. Vientiane’s central location in Laos with tempting destinations close by makes it a place most travelers quickly get in and out of. Don’t be fooled though there is a lot to see in town, here’s how to plan 24 hours in Vientiane.

Accommodation

There’s two type of stays in Vientiane. The first is a more resort type of experience and many of those pricier hotels can be found along the Mekong waterfront but are not very close to town. (Roughly a 40 minute walk or 15 minute car drive, depending on the highly variable traffic.) For shorter stays in Vientiane though it’s best to stay near the city center in a place like the Salana Boutique Hotel. You can watch my full review in the video below.

Temple Hop

Vientiane is a city of temples, most of which are within walking distance within a short radius. There’s the oldest, Wat Si Saket or the colorful Wat Ho Phra Keo. A short walk from the latter is Wat Si Saket, nearby to a Cafe Sinouk where you can cool off and try some locally harvested coffee from Laos. In case you haven’t seen enough temples (make sure you go inside for the impressive art, sculptures, and architecture) Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan is also nearby.

A bit of a further drive (about a 20 minute car ride using the Loca ride sharing app) is Pha That Luang. There’s no much to see inside but rather it’s the large gold structure that is the main attraction. Bring your camera, sunscreen, and stay hydrated during your visit.

Enjoy A Buffet Run By Nuns

One of the most interesting places I stumbled upon is called Vegetarian in the Golden Age or Vegetarian Master Ruma Restaurant. Most days of the week there’s a highly varied vegan buffet offered for roughly $3 by Vietnamese nuns. As part of their Buddhist beliefs, they are strict vegetarians and the food is a tasty blend of Vietnamese and Lao flavors. Most of the dishes are replaced with completely new ones so arrive hungry. There is quite a selection and whether you’re omnivore or not, you won’t miss out on any flavor.

COPE Center

In the afternoon you should visit the COPE Visitor Centre. COPE is a center for medical rehabilitation and education about the effects of cluster bombs. Since the Vietnam War, Laos remains the most bombed country in the world and small unexploded ordinances are still injuring and killing thousands per year. You can learn more about this history and help with a donation by buying something at the gift shop.

As the hot sun of the day begins to set, make your way to the waterfront where Vientiane comes alive. There’s a carnival atmosphere, clothing stands, shopping, and a lot of street food to be found. For quick bites hang around the clothes vendors but for a more relaxed sit down, enjoy some seafood or a hot pot by the water. There’s often live music which makes for a great way to end your day in Vientiane.

How To Visit The North Cape In Norway

by Anil Polat | Jun 13, 2024 | Advice, Pictures and Video | 0

Europe’s northern most point and wild weather swings might not be your first thought for a summer vacation but if seeing wild elk, whale watching, and stunning natural views sound like your kind of trip, Norway’s North Cape has something for you. The land of the midnight sun, Hege Jacobsen recently joined an episode of the foXnoMad Podcast on how to plan your trip to North Cape.

Getting There

Although it’s a bit remote, getting to the North Cape is pretty straightforward once you get to Norway. You’ll want to get to Alta (the one in Norway, not Alta in Utah which is also great for hiking by the way) and from there you can either take a bus or rent a car. A drive from Alta to North Cape takes roughly 3-4 hours but keep in mind the weather can change rapidly and potentially slow you down.

What To Do

The North Cape is where you want to be outdoors but to best enjoy it, make sure you dress appropriately. Summers are generally chilly while some days climate change shines and it can get quite warm. Take a look at any given 7 day forecast and you’ll be taken on a roller coaster of icons with plenty of precipitation possible on any given day.

North Cape Norway Costs

Norway is expensive there’s no other way to put it. There are ways though you can travel to North Cape on a budget as Hege explains in the episode. For a unique experience up in the Arctic circle with plenty of hopping off points around Norway, North Cape might just be the perfect next destination for you with family or as part of a solo trip.

The Trick To Getting A Bhutan Visa (500 Error Solved)

by Anil Polat | May 16, 2024 | Advice, Money | 2

Bhutan requires a visa from tourists of most countries and on the surface it looks straightforward. However, like most things about visiting Bhutan things aren’t quite a simple as they might seem. Some of the steps to getting the visa can be cumbersome but there is a trick to speeding up the process.

500 Error Fix

Many users who visit the Bhutan visa website and upload their passport information and photo have encountered this dreaded 500 error. Your first instinct is to refresh a million times and eventually try to start the process over again only to get another 500.

Instead, you should email the site’s official IT department to let them know about the 500 error. Once you do, they will manually add your account in the system and you’ll be able to login without issues. These are the email addresses (found in the conformation email you get when you created a site account): [email protected] or [email protected]

Response times are about one to two business days. You’re almost to the finish line but there is another thing to be aware of so you don’t slow your application down.

Bank Troubles

There is a cost to obtain a Bhutan tourist visa as well as a sustainable development fee you must pay. Another problem you might run into is the payment gets stuck at “pending” and never changes status. In these cases, email the accounts personnel ([email protected] or [email protected]) to make them aware. They’re likely going to tell you to simple re-try the payment (with the original still stuck on pending).

Of course, double check with your credit card to make sure you haven’t been double-charged but once you have completed a successful payment, you should be ready to submit your online visa application. After 3-5 business days you will get a response but keep in mind they won’t email you like the system says it will. Because, of course.

Despite the mild hassles though, traveling to Bhutan and seeing sites like the iconic Tiger’s Nest makes it all worthwhile.

How To Visit El Chorrillo: Panama City’s Most Dangerous Neighborhood

by Anil Polat | Feb 22, 2024 | Advice, Culture, Security | 0

Located adjacent to one of Panama City’s most popular touristic neighborhoods is El Chorrillo, considered one of the most dangerous parts of Panama’s capital. El Chorrillo is often called a “red zone” by locals – a place to avoid, fear, and steer clear of. There is one person though who is leading visitors through El Chorrillo and giving a glimpse into a story of history, neglect, and change.

Next To The Boom

The historic and touristic neighborhood of Casco Viejo is expanding and demand for more land have begun eating into El Chorrillo and driving both prices up and residents out. Local guide Victor Peretz who runs Local in Pty takes small groups through the winding streets where in 1989 the United States invaded the El Chorrillo, home of Manuel Noriega’s military base. El Chorrillo has never recovered truly and has been plagued with violence.

Victor takes you through the pain of El Chorrillo as well as the daily life within the neighborhood. (Shown in the video above.) El Chorrillo is vibrant with local domino games (an elderly favorite), education initiatives (which Victor is an integral part) and Panama hat maker Mario whose family has been there for three generations.

Changes For Better Or Worse

As Casco Viejo become more expensive, property owners are slowly buying land and constructing new buildings in El Chorrillo. Right now most of the activity is on the borders but the trend is clear – Casco Viejo is moving into El Chorrillo. A slow tidal wave that brings with it uncertainty, co-working spaces, and expensive apartments in a gentrification story familiar in many large cities worldwide.

Victor shows you the present while putting perspective on the past as premonitions about the future become apparent. Overall the walk through El Chorrillo is enlightening and not uncomfortable as you have an experienced guide navigating you through otherwise tricky streets. Victor can be reached by Instagram, Facebook, and email ([email protected]). Tours run around 3 hours at a leisurely pace and begin from Casco Viejo. I can highly recommend Victor’s tours if you want to see a part of Panama City that might otherwise seem unreachable. The tour of El Chorrillo was the most memorable part of my visit to Panama City and gave a contrast with Casco Viejo I would have missed.

About Anil Polat

Hi, I'm Anil. foXnoMad is where I combine travel and tech to help you travel smarter. I'm on a journey to every country in the world and you're invited to join the adventure! Read More