If I meant that I would have said it! Everything that Kevin mentioned liking about siem reap... Phnom penh has more of. What's not to like.Originally Posted by thonglor55
Don't you mean "I really love it and I hope you will too"??
Personally I'm not a big fan of siem reap but the things that Kevin mentioned liking about the place are things I did appreciate and enjoy there. And are also things that were in better abundance in phnom penh.
Can you get a SIM card for a mobile phone when you arrive at Siam Reap or do Thai cards work there because it is close to the border??
It might be best to get one there as I am pretty sure you can't get Thai reception and btw siem reap is actually a pretty long way from the Thai border.
Hi,
PHNOM PENN.
It's vibrant, noisy and unwashed. It is rough around the edges and I have been warned four times by the place I am staying, it is dangerous as there have been large spates of drive by thefts and muggings. When I was coming to P.P. a couple of guys were attempting to get me in an unlicensed car which had no number plates andf two dodgy shifties eyeing me up. We sent them on their way. I did the journey in about six hours at $60. This was English speaking driver I managed to get via Cockatoo Resort, based in Phnom Penn. His name is Kan Sotheara and he speaks English and chinese. His e mail is kansotheara@yahoo.com a great driver for you guys.
BLUE CHILLI BAR
The blue chilli bar was pleasant clean, nice environment with a few expats loitering and sitting the bar. The staff are friendly but I didn't like being asked to pay for my drink as soon as I sat down, with the excuse of ' Sir, We very busy ' ...........No, they weren't! I was approached by an unattractive MB within seconds and he got..........NOTHING., he wasn't even genuinely making an effort and wandered off to another table. There were not so many in there. The ex pats at the bar reminded me of an old wild west saloon, where they turn, glance at you over the shoulder and go back to their bar whispering hunched over their drink.
RAINBOW BAR.
We're back to the nonsense of lip sync drag shows appealing to kerb crawlers, tuk tuk drivers and Street urchins. Reminded me a bit of Sunnee Plaza.................on a bad night..... to be honest. Not my scene at all. Again I'll give it another go.
HEART OF DARKNESS
I went at 10.30pm and it had not opened.I'll try again. I am just trying to keep you updated as I move. Sometimes I have struggled to get Wi Fi. signal and my laptop has done some weird things in Asia. Apparently this is a very mixed clientele. Seen a few backpackers and old aged ex bikers (or possibly ageing hippies) that I overheard saying they were going
KILLING FIELDS
You don't need a taxi driver for this. He conned me into it. Do they never learn. Get a cheap tuk tuk. It is what it is and not for the faint hearted although I have been told it has been sanitized a lot due to japanese money helping them out. $2 dollars entry and you can take photographs, should you wish. I met a survivor. who is giving evidence against ' Duch 'at the moment in the War crimes trial. He survived because he could paint and was used by Pol Pot for his drawings and paintings. He has a book out, which he signed for me at $10 for the book. i DO INTEND TO POST PHOTOS AT SOME LATER DATE FOR EVERYONE.
TOUL SLENG/S21 EXTERMINATION HOLDING BARRACKS.
I won't be rushing back. It's awful to see it first hand. Barbarism beyond belief.$1 dollar to go in. These places which charge us next to nothing to go in, use the money to fund the education of bright but poor students.
It certainly reads as though Kevin is enjoying it, just as you said.If I meant that I would have said it! Everything that Kevin mentioned liking about siem reap... Phnom penh has more of. What's not to like.Don't you mean "I really love it and I hope you will too"??
Hi Brisboy82,
I am not really sure if I need another city like this after the bustle in a previous life of Bangkok and all the nonsense I have been through or maybe I am just getting old. I'm 49 now and dont move as fast, Hehehe!
I am struggling with P.P. and also with the mentality of the Cambodians. Trade wise, as I have saids earlier, unless you are into Ladyboy MBs, which I'm not, these guys are trying to maintain a macho image to their friends and onlookers. Yes, they'll go with you to restaurants, eat like horses at the most expensive things on the menu and then drink like fish. After that, they are saying goodbye with not so much as a kiss my arse.
Of course the Cambodians in Thailand were not the same, they were equally into the sport and the money attached as much as were the Thais, but I am in their land now and they behave different. It may be, you must be a lot more discreet here? They don't even seem that enthusiastic to be working in alleged gay bars!
They are constantly trying to dream up ideas for you to part company with your money, trips etc constantly but politely asking you to go to markets and places where they will receive kickbacks etc but what's new about that, they are not as polished as the Thais in this area.
The above of course are all my own opinions and what I have found it to be. A great deal of those I am coming across really speak English well. Maybe I should get back to the farmers on the outskirts of Siem Reap ? Ha!.. :laughing3: Siem Reap is much smaller and I think I kind of like it there to be honest.
There are no restrictions on smoking in most places such as cafes, restaurants, bars. Work permits are coming in soon but at moment they say nothing about Foreigners working if you have a one year business visa. Anyone going to PDR Lao or Cambodia is best to buy a Sim card on arrival, they are cheap and easy to install.
The old old story, you can't beat how Thailand used to be for trade, although I jump at PDR Lao as a good option!
However, this Country needs to be seen, enjoyed and appreciated for its attractions and sights on their own, never mind jumping into bed with all the natives at every opportuntity. A lot easier on the women front as I visited a couple of bars.
Mind you gents, it's early days and your money goes a lot further here in Cambodia and in PDR Lao. I have been trying to do some things at 90 mph so my opinions may change. Also, the waiter has just informed me that he gets $60 a month, but he wants a computer like mine!.................so you never know!......... :laughing3: :laughing3:
Well Phnom Penh is not that big of a city but it certainly is chaotic. Mind you that is Cambodia. In fact Phnom Penh is actually more tidy and orderly than the rest of the country. Apart from Siem Reap which isn't really Cambodia but rather a theme park for tourists visiting Angkor. Very nice place to relax though.
Btw 49 isn't old, my parents are that age and they aren't ready to settle down yet :P
Kevin,
can we not persuade you to open a bar in SR ?
Kevin - I wasn't able to find or buy a SIM card during my time in Cambodia. I was fairly well booked up and had pretty good internet connectivity at the guest houses I stayed at so it wasn't all that important, but if I were to try to spend a longer time there I'd like to have a phone available. What spots did you find them for sale?
UPDATE.
Hi,
Brisboy82.
Went out last night to Heart of Darkness with a waiter from my Hotel who asked to come with me, probably one of the best looking guys in the nightclub, It was an absolutely fun packed fabulous night. Great sound system, great lighting, We sat on the upstairs sofa section, I never seeked any other areas out as I was enjoying myself with him.
Earlier in the evening, he had taken me on a very long walk on the riverside right up to NagaWorld Casino and around the Royal Palace and over the bridge where all those people died last year. We also went through some new boulevards along the front. It was interesting and relaxing and gave me a grip of the city.
I like the laid back non serious way the monks interact with the people around Phnom Penn as well. We cut through the temple grounds.
We also visited Blue Chilli again, which was nothing special entertainment wise, but pleasant, attentive and friendly staff and a few trying to pick you up, however, not necessary as I was already being looked after. We also went to a couple of normal well decorated lounge bars on the front, where he treated himself to a couple of cocktails, and they were good as well.
Stevehadders.
I am looking around, taking it all in and will see what happens. I haven't been to Sihanoukville yet, which is on my list. The barriers seem to be coming down and I like Phnom Penn, there is still more to see and I am open to any tips or suggestions.
Bao Bao.
I just told them at Cockatoo resort, in Siem Reap I needed a sim card. The tuk tuk driver was dispatched and reappeared with a sim card, FOC. He loaded it with $10 and I am still using it after a week and have been calling around a few places including Thailand.
It's a good City and a lot easier to get around than Bangkok for sure. I like the place now I have given it a chance. I was by the riverside last night and it was very busy with courting couples etc on a sunday evening, skateboarders etc.
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