Phnom Penh

[Amanut]

Agree with everything you said regarding life as we used to know it Sammon but it's a new world now.

Ironically enough, USA is included in allowable entrants despite the nos in the US.

The kicker is that you need a health certificate not more than 72 hours old (no big deal) but not so easy for guys on a budget to get a 50 K health insurance policy which is also a requirement to get a visa.

I suspect this will be the new norm for international travel going forward.

I have been keeping an which countries are relaxing restrictions. I am shocked at the countries who are on the list with the US. What could possibly go wrong?

https://skift.com/2020/05/20/cambodi...rom-6-nations/

14 days in quarantine is a non starter for me. While Cambodia is on my list of places to return to, Vietnam is my primary destination of choice. The other issue is connecting flights through other countries. Cambodia and Vietnam have no direct flights from where I am in North America meaning I would have to connect through Seoul, Taipei, or Beijing. I assume each would have restrictions imposed by those countries even just transiting through. Taipei would be my entry point of choice via EVA Air.

[Betong]

There are already a few flights per day to and from China. Lanmei Airlines for example is still serving Guangzhou, Shenzen, Kunming, and Nanchang. I've bumped into a number of Chinese tourists in the open-not-really-open bars on 136, but of course only a tiny portion of what the number would normally be. But yeah. . . This is going to be a long, long haul till we're back to anything near normal.

[Banana Boi]

Cambodia is opening up its international airport again <snip> The kicker is that you need a health certificate not more than 72 hours old (no big deal)

Actually, the kicker is that Cambodia requires you to stay in a government designated place (not your own hotel) along with all the other incoming foreigners for 14 days! No way! A nice comfortable hotel I would consider because I'm sure you and Uncle V will send over the hottest girls to my hotel while I'm under quarantine.

The 72 hour health certificate will likely be a given for most SE Asian countries when they reopen. How does one even go about getting that? Say it takes 24 hours to get from Eastern USA to Phnom Penh, then within your last 48 hours in the USA you have to visit a doctor, get test results back, then have your doctor sign a health certificate confirming you do not have COVID? Are COVID test results immediate? What if your flight got delayed (a high possibility during these times) and it took more than 72 hours to get to Phnom Penh, would you be turned away at Customs?

[Red Kilt]

If Nagaworld casino and hotel is open and running and if Darling Darling is closed it is no big loss as long as mongering is concerned. IMHO when you go into the club you find stuck up, dolled up, false everything girls who are least bit interested in negotiations. When I stayed there you can easily get girls who are loitering in the hallway much cheaper and better. I have even gone outside and walked around and got girls. There were no restrictions in bringing them in. Most of the girls in Cambodia have some kind of I. D. The girls I got loved to stay all night in nice hotel room and some I have kept for couple of days. Free buffet dinner on the casino floor. All you need to do is go to the concierge and ask for two coupons. Breakfast buffet is comparable to any 5 star hotels all over the world.

Location is far away from riverside clubs but tuk tuk is cheap and plenty at all times.

Agree with everything you said regarding life as we used to know it Sammon but it's a new world now.

I am on the ground now and living near Nagaworld 1 & 2. I walk past each day and when I tried to enter to use the food court on the lower G floor of Naga 2 the security told me it too was closed.

It is dark and deserted inside. If there is clandestine gambling going on then it's upstairs somewhere and hidden away.

I can't see the scenario that you are reminiscing about recurring for at least 6 months.

Cambodia is opening up its international airport again but not yet to China.

Ironically enough, USA is included in allowable entrants despite the nos in the US.

The kicker is that you need a health certificate not more than 72 hours old (no big deal) but not so easy for guys on a budget to get a 50 K health insurance policy which is also a requirement to get a visa.

I suspect this will be the new norm for international travel going forward.

[Sammon]

I haven't been to Darlin' Darlin' in years but that's discouraging news, if only because it suggests the kind of time scale we might be looking at.

It is indeed strange to see that gigantic Nagaworld complex dark. One hears tales that the casino is in fact still quietly open. Urban myth maybe, but then with that kind of money (they report annual profits of $400-500 million) they could certainly find a way to do so if they wanted. Gambling is one of the few vices of no interest to me so I haven't bothered to go look.

If Nagaworld casino and hotel is open and running and if Darling Darling is closed it is no big loss as long as mongering is concerned. IMHO when you go into the club you find stuck up, dolled up, false everything girls who are least bit interested in negotiations. When I stayed there you can easily get girls who are loitering in the hallway much cheaper and better. I have even gone outside and walked around and got girls. There were no restrictions in bringing them in. Most of the girls in Cambodia have some kind of I. D. The girls I got loved to stay all night in nice hotel room and some I have kept for couple of days. Free buffet dinner on the casino floor. All you need to do is go to the concierge and ask for two coupons. Breakfast buffet is comparable to any 5 star hotels all over the world.

Location is far away from riverside clubs but tuk tuk is cheap and plenty at all times.

[Betong]

Trip Advisor has a post in its "Bars and Clubs" section that Darlin Darlin at Nagaworld 1 will not re-open until March 25,2021.

I haven't been to Darlin' Darlin' in years but that's discouraging news, if only because it suggests the kind of time scale we might be looking at.

It is indeed strange to see that gigantic Nagaworld complex dark. One hears tales that the casino is in fact still quietly open. Urban myth maybe, but then with that kind of money (they report annual profits of $400-500 million) they could certainly find a way to do so if they wanted. Gambling is one of the few vices of no interest to me so I haven't bothered to go look.

[Betong]

Things are changing by the day, with no obvious coordination among the authorities. Four days ago the 136/130 bars were told by the Sangkat police that they could reopen legally, and many did. Then last night there was a citywide crackdown, apparently because the higher-ups were concerned about crowds of people around Pontoon. Tonight the bar owners are being required to sign statements that they won't open, with or without lights, under threat of permanent closure. So things are likely to get worse before they get better.

[AussieGuy100]

Basically all bars (except the ones that went broke in the meantime) are now back in business, legally and openly. Quite a number of girls back too. But still relatively few punters, and they tend to congregate in just a few of the better bars. Truly a buyer's market.

The bars are open illegally. Cambodian pragmatism. Have to be seen to be doing the right thing (being closed) but economic realities (need money to eat) prevail. There are virtually no lights outside the bars. You have to check out the girls in the gloom.

There is still the threat of police conducting raids though they seem to have stood back for the last couple of weeks.

I certainly agree with you about it being a buyers' market. Lots of girls available and prices distinctly lower.

It's a strange but enjoyable time to be going round the bars as a customer.

[Red Kilt]

Basically all bars (except the ones that went broke in the meantime) are now back in business, legally and openly. Quite a number of girls back too. But still relatively few punters, and they tend to congregate in just a few of the better bars. Truly a buyer's market.

Yes that's how it is. But a lot of bars are still shuttered up which probably means they are Betong's "broke bars".

There are a lot of Chinese punters who have materialised from somewhere and they are filling up the bars with cigarette smoke too. We noticed many Chinese guys bar-hopping on Saturday last wearing masks LOL. Very wishful thinking.

Trip Advisor has a post in its "Bars and Clubs" section that Darlin Darlin at Nagaworld 1 will not re-open until March 25,2021. The whole Naga complex is dark and empty.

[Betong]

Basically all bars (except the ones that went broke in the meantime) are now back in business, legally and openly. Quite a number of girls back too. But still relatively few punters, and they tend to congregate in just a few of the better bars. Truly a buyer's market.

[AussieGuy100]

Been around Riverside a couple of nights now. There are bars that are open and there are girls for takeout as well. I was in one place with about 10 girls and with this market you'll get a lot of attention. As you said they kind of looks closed but they're still open. It seems like most of the bars that are open are not on 130 or 136, but on the streets further north, including the streets perpendicular to those.

About two-thirds of all the hostess bars are now quietly open, so that's about 90 bars to choose from! Some bars have lots of girls, almost back to their full strength. As a previous poster pointed out, it's currently a buyers market so you can negotiate some good prices. Also some girls that wouldn't normally go out with guys are now offering to barfine.There seems to be more ladyboys than normal wandering the streets, especially around the main street 136 junction with street 5.

I have four bars on street 130, and we have two of them discreetly open. Its generally been quite busy and we’ve had some fun nights. Most of our girls are now back from their province. The customers are almost all expats, plus a few tourists stuck here because of lack of flights and closed land borders.

[JimBocohones]

And yes, more than a few bars are quietly open behind closed shutters. But basically just a drinking scene -- little if any staff catering to our hobby.

Been around Riverside a couple of nights now. There are bars that are open and there are girls for takeout as well. I was in one place with about 10 girls and with this market you'll get a lot of attention. As you said they kind of looks closed but they're still open. It seems like most of the bars that are open are not on 130 or 136, but on the streets further north, including the streets perpendicular to those. I got one girl with me and gave her $35 for LT. Second night I found another girl but she quoted $50 for ST and $100 for LT which is ridiculous. Could definitely have bargained but she seemed like trouble anyways.

[Betong]

Any update Betong from your sources?

Still in limbo. The bar owners I know have both been talking to fairly senior policemen, who clearly want their share before there will be any openings. But the decision will be made at a higher level.

And yes, more than a few bars are quietly open behind closed shutters. But basically just a drinking scene -- little if any staff catering to our hobby.

One quote I did like: I asked one of the mama-sans how long it would take to get back her couple dozen girls once they get the green light. One post on Facebook Messenger, she said, and they'll all be back from upcountry within 24 hours. You've got to love it!

[Sam Sanuk]

Not true Sam.

Very dead last night. Those that are "open" are doing so behind locked doors with no music and very low light.

Sad to hear.

I've lost my two reliable wingmen who live in PP, due to an affliction called "marriage". It might take a couple of more years before they are cured. In the meantime, I can only pass on info from cyber sources of unknown reliability. I hope I can make it over there in a few months and see for myself. I'm quite sure there will be plenty of options by then.

Sam.

[Blanquiceleste]

Thansk buddy. I have a very nice girl to keep me company. We have been traveling around: Koh Rung, Koh Rung Sanolem (sp? Kampot, Kep. Its been a blast and she is great company. But variety is the spice of life. Need somehign fresh in my bed soon. Hahaha. I hope you are surviving and in good spirits wherever you are. Stay horny my friend!
You. V.

UncleV you could possibly not imagine how fortunate you are. While the world we knew before COVID continues to crumble around us and incompetent Governments refuse to take responsibility for the mess we are in, you seem to be thriving in Cambodia; most importantly safe and healthy. I would give both my kidneys to be where you are right now. 40 days and counting at home now.

When you have a good lady with you, difficult times don't seem that hard. Keep the good times rolling'.