A corner of Siem Reap's Butterfly Garden

For a relaxing break from temple touring in Siem Reap head for the newly opened Butterfly Garden. This unique attraction, the brainchild of an Englishman, is set in a lush tropical garden covered in fine netting and stocked with thousands of free-flying butterflies. Besides the butterflies there are water features and a pond full of Japanese Carp. Entry costs just 1USD and the owner or one the staff members will conduct a short tour of the garden after which you can sink into one of the comfortable sofas on the verandah with a cold drink. Excellent homemade meals such as lasagna, quiche Lorraine and pizza are served for around 3 or 4USD.

INSURANCE SURCHARGE

Following September 11^th some airlines have started charging an insurance surcharge. Depending on where the ticket is issued the charge may or may not be included in the ticket price. Generally on all foreign issued tickets the charge is included, on most tickets issued in Cambodia it is not. Therefore on FT and PG flights, for example, passengers may be required to pay this supplement upon check-in. Exotissimo Cambodia have been covering this cost so far for bookings confirmed before September 11^th but as the surcharge has been increasing constantly (from 0.5USD to USD1 and now USD2.25/pax on some sectors) we see ourselves forced to pass on the cost to the passengers as from January 2002. Although we regret this step we feel that it is just to have passengers assume this cost as it is outside our area of responsibility and not imposed by Exotissimo. From 1^st January 2002 passengers will have to pay this surcharge if requested by the airlines.

Yunnan Airlines to fly to Mandalay?

Yunnan Airlines has announced it plans to be the first airline to offer international flights to the new Mandalay International Airport. For the moment the schedule and starting date for Kunming-Mandalay flights have yet to be confirmed but the route would certainly open up some interesting new possibilities for regional tours.

New hotel opens in Can Tho

The 10-storey Golf Can Tho Hotel opened next to the Hau River in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho recently. The four-star property has 101 rooms making it the largest hotel in the Mekong Delta.

Another new hotel for Siem Reap

The Princess Angkor Hotel has recently opened in Siem Reap, located on the Airport Road with 120 rooms and a swimming pool. The hotel is under Thai management.