2002-2006 Phnom Penh

[Phantomtiger2]

I think Phantomtiger is right -- I pay my driver $25, and he starts at 10 AM and finishes when I do, which is sometimes 3 AM. If I want him only in the evening, I pay him $15, and he's with me from about 4 PM to whenever.

RS

I only used a driver with car once while in PP. It was the same driver that I used to take me from the airport to my guesthouse. My flight arrived early morning (8am), before leaving airport I negotiated with driver. (I knew airport to hotel was already about $7) so I said will give him ($24 -final neg. price) for whole day so I could tour PP and for him to stay with me until about 12mn-1am for some bar hopping. Of course he didnt agree right away but if you use a little neg. skills (like I did), after a few minutes he said ok.
Note:, neg. started with him saying $35 and I counter with $20--settled on $24 after about 4 min.
(I suspect I could have gone lower but not worth wasting another 10min sitting outside the airport to save 1-2 dollars.)

Although his english was not the best, he managed to get me where I wanted to go as I showed him a map of PP. He was a decent guy with good service so in all fairness I tipped him $2 (or was it $3) extra when he finally left me at about 1:30am (I always give a little extra when its deserved- dont always have to be with just gals and P4P)

Sorry, I never asked for his phone # as I only used him this one time. In hindsight, I should've asked anyway even though I was not going to use him again on this trip just so I could post for you guys to call him if you want.

PT

[Phantomtiger2]

PHamtomtiger2,

Where would I have to go to find the most elegant & beautiful girls in PP? . And could you let us know when "things" on 63rd street open up again? . I will be in PP in a few weeks.

Thanks,

Max

Sorry, Mister Max, I wish we could've meet up in PP but,
I just left Cambodia and home for the Holidays right now so dont know the current status of St63 (I dont miss this area though). Maybe some others who will be arriving or staying in PP can help you when you arrive.

As to the beautiful gals--its always a hit or miss just like everywhere else. I sometimes see nice ones in Martinis and sometimes at the hostess bars.
Ironic fact is that some of the real cuties actually work in the St63 ripoff places. Most will employ cuties as good bait to hook you into the place to be slaughtered. Its a smart tactic so beware if these places reopens or like I said before, avoid them and dont give them any more business.

PT

[Phantomtiger2]

JULY 2007 --- IN YOUR DREAMS!! - In early NOV (the first) there were 3 bridges under construction (of 4 crossings) - 2 in beam laying mode the other in pier construction, the 4th not even started yet The roadway itself is in the blasting stage near the highest summit (regrade) and nowhere near ready for tarmac. A large portion of the road isn't even ballasted yet (can you say MUD?) I suspect DEC 2008 as a good estimate for finishing the BRIDGES (also based on southeast Asia work scheduling) Of course, once the have the equipment access without needing to use those ramshackle ferries (which can't handle the LOADS), construction might go faster. The NOV trip took about 7 hours from departure at Snooky (bus area) to drop at the KK border crossing including about 2.5 hours waiting for the ferries. YES when IT IS FINISHED, the trip will be all road and probably easier than water (at 40mph, the distance is about 3 hours - you measure distance in SEA as "time" - not "distance")

Ha ha, dreaming is good for the soul --which is why I said "hopefully".
You could be right of course as I only did a partial survey from my motobike ride from Koh Kong to Ta Tai river (crossed river via the ferry barge) and continued for a few more miles (as I said before maybe 20miles or so). I never made it to the 2nd bridge but the 1st bridge over the Ta Tai river had all the pillar supports were finished over the water and just need the pre-fabricated road to be put together--and thats usually the easiest and fastest part of the bridge process. I'm fairly sure this 15-20miles will be done by July 2007 if no major negative weather hinders it. Most of the road foundation from KK to Ta Tai river also done except still need the final concrete/asphalt layer to be put on-- a few months should cover this 20 miles section even in bad weather.
I also heard, (although I didnt actually see them) that this whole project was being supervised by foreign consultants (Japanese I think?)

PT

[Azn Playa]

Has anyone taken this trip recently? What did you pay?

I made this trip earlier in the year and paid $30 there and negotiated $25 for the return to PP (as there were 3 drivers all wanting to drive me that morning). As petrol prices are supposedly higher and drivers seem to be charging more, would like to know what the standard/expected price should be now.

[Dinghy]

Hey Samy Ray, if you plan to go back again, suggest you plan it after July 2007 as the new Hwy will be open (hopefully).
Peace to all and Happy Holidays.


BTW:most of the vest were in a overhead rack toward the back of the boat--not that it helps if boat was sinking.

PT

JULY 2007 --- IN YOUR DREAMS!! - In early NOV (the first) there were 3 bridges under construction (of 4 crossings) - 2 in beam laying mode the other in pier construction, the 4th not even started yet The roadway itself is in the blasting stage near the highest summit (regrade) and nowhere near ready for tarmac. A large portion of the road isn't even ballasted yet (can you say MUD?) I suspect DEC 2008 as a good estimate for finishing the BRIDGES (also based on southeast Asia work scheduling) Of course, once the have the equipment access without needing to use those ramshackle ferries (which can't handle the LOADS), construction might go faster. The NOV trip took about 7 hours from departure at Snooky (bus area) to drop at the KK border crossing including about 2.5 hours waiting for the ferries. YES when IT IS FINISHED, the trip will be all road and probably easier than water (at 40mph, the distance is about 3 hours - you measure distance in SEA as "time" - not "distance")

[Rising Son]

I think Phantomtiger is right -- I pay my driver $25, and he starts at 10 AM and finishes when I do, which is sometimes 3 AM. If I want him only in the evening, I pay him $15, and he's with me from about 4 PM to whenever.

I think Mr. Mee is pricing himself too high -- but, on the other hand, my guy knows he's going to be driving me 6-7 days and nights a week for several months, so maybe I'm getting a rate.

The best things about having a car are (a) you have a place to leave your stuff -- I sometimes have a computer with me -- and (b) you stay dry when it rains. And then finally, you're less likely to get killed in a minor accident than you are on a bike.

RS

[MisterMax808]

PHamtomtiger2,

Where would I have to go to find the most elegant & beautiful girls in PP? . And could you let us know when "things" on 63rd street open up again? . I will be in PP in a few weeks.

Thanks,

Max

[Phantomtiger2]

Mr Horn and Mr alec both were pretty straight up with me when I used them at about $25 from 4pm until I was finished for the night.

.

Actually, for $25, you could have easily negotiated an all day( starting in the morning) -- until late nite for that price.

PT

[Phantomtiger2]

I am going to Koh Kong tomorrow or Wednesday for a couple of night so will give an update when I return.

Hey Tazzy,
when you reach KK drop by J &C bar (its about 50m left of Motobar) and give John a visit. He's a real nice guy and will give you honest answers to KK. I went there every nite I was in KK.
BTW: dont expect KK to be hopping as most of the nites I was there all the bars started closing by 8-9pm due to lack of business and traffic. Like I said in the "other area" thread in Cambo, KK is becoming really dead.

PT

[Markmalt]

When I am in PP I seldom use a car for the whole day. I know the city already and I do not need a guide.

Sometimes I have the plan to visit the restaurants on Mekhong in the afternoon and perhaps Martini in the evening. But 25 $ for a all-day service is too much.

Half of the day I am relaxing, sitting in an internet cafe, taking dinner. That´s the time I do not need a car and why I usually take the motodrop.

[MisterMax808]

If Mr. Sovanmee could lower his taxi rate to $20 per day or $10 per 1/2 day, perhaps more people would be willing to hire him?

[Too Jaded]

Dear All,

My name Sovan Mee, as taxi driver in PP. I would like to request some business from you guys. It's very hard time for me now.

Hopefully someone will employ me some job.

Please fell free to call me at: 012 428 007

Thanks in advance

I am interested in your services, as a member of the board I am glad to help a fellow member. Check your PM.

By the way to all: Theara appears to be out of business. His site is up but no answers to email, and some chick answered the phone with two words: "Wrong Number!"

[Troposcat]

I see most of your this was answered by knowledgable bros already but I still have just a question as you didnt indicate when you will be visiting Cambo?

Reason for this is everything will change after July 2007 as new Hwy opens connecting Koh Kong to Snooky and PP opens. Already have confirmation that the KK to Snooky fast boat will be out as some bus companies already eager to take this route.

I did a moto ride on about 20miles of this unopen (closed and still under construction ) Hwy just a week ago and can say that it may even be completed on time. The bridge over the Ta Tai river is already about 1/2 finished.

PT

I plan on visiting in March. I had such a great time last time I invited a friend to join me on this trip. He has never been to Cambodia but has visited Thailand many times. He is a Cheap Charlie like me so I think he will enjoy it.

[Phantomtiger2]

Kho Kong to Sihanousville. I have taken that route few times. I don´t think I would consider taking it
again. They overload the boats, there is no safety instructions at all, there
were no life-saving vests to be seen! when the sea is agitated, boats rock
and slam againt the waves real hard! you see people throwing out every
where because of sea sickeness! But you might have a better stomach
than I do! Good luck!

!

Hey Samy Ray, if you plan to go back again, suggest you plan it after July 2007 as the new Hwy will be open (hopefully).
Peace to all and Happy Holidays.


BTW:most of the vest were in a overhead rack toward the back of the boat--not that it helps if boat was sinking.

PT

[Phantomtiger2]

my next trip to cambodia i want to take a boat from thailand to sihanoukville and stay a few days before i travel to phnom penh. can any of you give me any information on how to do this and is there any visa concerns i need to worry about? i have been through the airport and got a visa but is coming in by boat any differant?

i see most of your this was answered by knowledgable bros already but i still have just a question as you didnt indicate when you will be visiting cambo?
reason for this is everything will change after july 2007 as new hwy opens connecting koh kong to snooky and pp opens. already have confirmation that the kk to snooky fast boat will be out as some bus companies already eager to take this route.
i did a moto ride on about 20miles of this unopen (closed and still under construction ) hwy just a week ago and can say that it may even be completed on time. the bridge over the ta tai river is already about 1/2 finished.

pt