The following is a list of things to pack for your Cambodia vacation. Cambodia travel is not that arduous, but it is hot and the more you take, the more uncomfortable you will be. The less you take, the more you will enjoy your Cambodia holiday.
Passport – At the risk of sounding stupid – if you left home without your passport, you would not be the first person in the world to do this. Take a photocopy of the information page of your passport and store it separately.
Tickets – These days e-tickets are the norm. All you really need is the flight times and the code.
Emergency list – of your home contacts in case of accident.
Wallet – A concealed money belt is useful as well
Credit Card – If you have more than one credit card, take two – for some reason one may not work, then you will be stuck. Take photocopies of your credit cards and pack them separately.
Cash – US Dollars work best. Plenty of low denomination bills are better than hundred dollar bills
Driving licence – May be needed, you never know but always useful as a second form of ID Glasses and / or contacts, including spare contacts. Take a copy of your prescription as well.
Ballpoint pen that does not leak !
A small notebook. If you are into writing a travel journal or diary, take that as well, but the smallest possible note book will be useful.
Mobile ‘phone and charger – Cambodia works on the GSM system, so you must have a ‘phone that can take a SIM card. If you alreasy have GSM then your ’phone will work in Cambodia. Local SIM cards can be bought there.
Notebook / Netbook Computer – This is a personal decision. Some people cannot live without their notebooks. Don’t expect to see WiFi everywhere. Think about using Internet cafes and leaving those extra kilos behind.
Electricity adapter. Cambodia uses American type flat pin plugs. Round pins will work in some places.
MP3 player – iPod etc
If you really listen to music on the go, take it. If you don’t really listen to music with earphones then don’t bother.
Camera (and charger) – if you are a keen photographer, you will know what to take. If you want souvenier shots of temples, ten frankly, you wold be better off buying postcards or looking online for professional shots. For snapshots with friends and family, quite often, a mobile ‘phone will do the job just fine.
Eye shades and Ear plugs – Cambodia is not a quiet place and often hotel curtains will let in the light from 6am
Medicine Kit – your choice
Toiletries – your choice but include Sun block
Small scissors/pocket knife – always useful but pack in your checked baggage when flying
Sunglasses – if you wear them, not all people do
Hat – you will find hats for sale everywhere in Cambodia
Small Day bag – big enough to hold a book and camera
Small towel – to carry and mop your brow, you can buy one there
Book – take one and buy more/swap them
Travel clock or watch (or mobile ‘phone for that matter)
Clothes – Pack light. The lighter you travel, the more comfortable it will be. If you are planning on stopping more than two nights in any place, you can get your laundry done en route. Consider buying t-shirts during your travels. If you like jeans, then buy a pair of tropical weather jeans on your travels, they look great, but the material is a lot thinner than back home.
Remember – whatever the “travel outfitters” claim there are only three types of cloth. Natural, manmade or a mixture. Natural cloth such as cotton is always more comfortable and cooler, but will take longer to dry and may need ironing. Synthetic clothing is never as comfortable or as cool, but will wash and dry fast and often needs no ironing. Many travel outfitters offer a combination of the two with the claimed benefits of “wicking” sweat to the surface. Most of these claims are fairly dubious. Specialist travel clothing is good, but expensive.
Long, light trousers – one pair; Shorts – two pairs; Socks and underwear; Swimming costume; Shirts – two; T shirts – two; Sarong – buy one there; Shoes – once decent pair for walking and travelling, on pair of flip flops; Jacket – it is highly unlikely that you will need a jacket, it never gets that cold. If you do need a jacket then take one that folds away made of very thin material.
Clothes washing kit – a small amount of washing power in a small plastic bag together with a piece of nylon string and a few clothes pags.
Three or four plastic zip lock bags of various sizes. One plastic bag for dirty clothes. A decent guide book.
