Originally Posted by Cheetah_SA

Booking through the hotel at La Residence we were asked $30 pd each for driver and guide (though we only took a driver) plus an extra $6 for Banteay Srei.

I offer this as part of your informal survey - I knew this was over the odds but it was worth it for me not to have to find my own driver and haggle about price.

BTW I'm with Michael on this one - tourists complain when prices rise in third world countries, but when the vaue of money is eroded locals are not being "greedy" in raising prices. Besides, the dollar has depreciated drastically - maybe they are keeping their prices constant in Euros.

And we, the tourists, are very much part of the reason that the value of money is eroded. The more we pour in the more "sophisticated" (read expensive) the place becomes and the price of land, food etc. all rises for the locals. I find it laughable that people in designer loafers, sunglasses and daypacks think that a multi-lingual, well-informed Cambodian guide's time is worth less than $25 per day. Or in my case, $30 for a multilingual, well-informed chauffeur together with use of a new, airconditioned car.