Before wrapping up our week in Bangkok and heading to Phnom Penh, we had to get in one more of those fabulous Thai massages, with their fabulously low impact on the pocketbook. Then it was back to The Copper our hostel/ hotel to finish packing. The manager of the place, as he had promised when we arrived, helped us arrange a ride to the airport at a considerably lower fare than what we’d paid upon arrival, when we’d had to settle for whatever transportation we could get in the middle of the night.

Bye-Bye Bangkok – but First One More Massage

Hog-tying Backpacks and Meeting Robot Friends at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok

Suvarnabhumi Airport is one of the cooler airports we’ve spent time in; it’s especially worth booking a flight into or out of to get a close-up look at a highly impressive (and quite large) sculpture called “The Churning of the Ocean of Milk”. It depicts a famous scene from Hindu mythology, a tug of war between the forces of good and the forces of evil — but instead of a rope, they’re tugging on a three-headed serpent. The airport also has some other interesting features, including robots that do some of the cleaning — at least one of which has some cartoonish facial features on it.

Unfortunately, the airport also has some persnickety baggage screeners who felt compelled to disassemble our backpacks almost completely. But once we had everything back together, we secured the covers with packing tape, and before long we were off to Phnom Penh.

Flying over Phnom Penh

It was after dark when we flew into Phnom Penh; and we got a pretty good look at the city, because unlike in most other cities, the airport is near the heart of town. Which was convenient, because we didn’t have far to go to get to our digs for the night.

When we stepped outside the airport, we summoned a tuk-tuk with an app; but then there was a comedy of errors when we found ourselves in the midst of dozens of tuk-tuks waiting to pick up passengers. The drivers would show us the passenger contact info on their phones — or we’d show them our driver info — and ask, “Is this you?” After a few such attempts, eliciting quite a few laughs from those involved, we managed to find our driver, and we were off, about half an hour to the hostel where we’d be staying a couple of nights.

First Night in Phnom Penh by the Mekong River

The hostel was called Onederz (“wonders”), and it actually encompassed two buildings across the street from each other. The one where we’d be staying was not the main property, which had the cafe, swimming pool and other amenities (though we of course had access to these). But we had a room that was quiet, clean and cool. And not crowded — it had a capacity of 8 people. Kimberly’s bunk was next to the window, so she had a view of the Mekong River across the street, and the city nightscape.

We never imagined at the time that in the near future, this city would become our de facto home. For the time being, it was an exciting new city for us to explore. And yet another country to cross off our touring bucket list.

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) vs. Phnom Penh Airport (PNH): Tips for First-Time Arrivals

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK):

• Size & Layout: Be prepared for a large airport! Suvarnabhumi can be quite sprawling. Download a map beforehand to familiarize yourself with the layout and where you need to go.
• Transportation: While taxis are readily available, consider the Airport Rail Link for a fast and affordable way to reach central Bangkok.
• Currency Exchange: There are currency exchange booths throughout the airport, but the rates can be less favorable. We prefer using an ATM in the arrivals hall. Do a little research ahead of time to find the machines affiliated with your bank.
• Visas: Check visa requirements for Thailand beforehand. Some nationalities may be eligible for a visa on arrival.
• Beware of Overly Helpful “Assistants”: Politely decline unsolicited help with your luggage unless you’ve arranged it beforehand.

Phnom Penh Airport (PNH):

• Smaller & More Manageable: Phnom Penh Airport is significantly smaller than Suvarnabhumi, making navigation easier.
• Transportation: Taxis and tuk-tuks are readily available outside the arrivals hall. We recommend using a ride-hailing app like PassApp or Grab for a more transparent fare.
• Visas: Check visa requirements for Cambodia beforehand. Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival.
• Currency Exchange: We recommend using an ATM in the arrivals hall. NOTE: USD currency is widely accepted and preferred throughout Cambodia, so long as the bills are not ripped, torn or damaged in any way.

Bonus Tip – Both Airports:

• Download a translation app: This can be helpful for basic communication, especially if you don’t speak Thai or Khmer.
• Have your arrival documents readily available: This includes your passport, visa (if applicable), and arrival card (if required).

10/1/2022