Phnom Penh

[DingoD]

So if I'm coming from Australia to Cambodia is it best just to convert to US dollars when I arrive and not even worry about local currency.

I imagine like most asian countries better to exchange in Cambodia.

Yeah if you have AUD it's easy to just exchange, I would recommend though avoiding really shitty rates at the airport exchange places and getting your taxi / tuk tuk driver to stop at anyone of the many jewellery shops around central maker for a much much better rate, like I am taking airport offering. 70 USD / AUD compared to 0.752 offered at said jewellery stores. This was 2 weeks back when official cash exchange was approx 0.7580, so depending how much you are changing definitely worth the slight trouble! Just ensure you at least have the $30 USD for visa and $7 USD /$12 USD also depending on your choice of tuk tuk or taxi.

[Red Kilt]

So if I'm coming from Australia to Cambodia is it best just to convert to US dollars when I arrive and not even worry about local currency.

I imagine like most asian countries better to exchange in Cambodia.

Yes, but remember you need USD cash to pay for your visa on arrival.

Much better idea to go straight to a ATM after arrival, and the ATMs that I used dispensed USD. I stuck to ANZ (Australian bank) ATMs and tended to use them all the time, even though my cards are from HSBC Philippines. Rarely did I find one that didn't work, and you know thy are configured for international currencies.

Restaurant bills all had several options for payment (I think it was Thai baht, USD and, as I recall, Cambodian rial).

Make sure you know the respective forex rates so you can do quick computations in your head.

My recollection is hazy now, but I think I gave my friendly regular tuktuk driver 3 usd for whatever short trip we took. He was very "protective" of me and gave me lots of great advice, so I tended to look after him.

I remember I gave him 25 usd to take me to the Killing Fields (Cheung Ek) and Museum (Tuol Sleng) and wait for me. He was happy about that. I was distraught by what I experienced (easily the most distressing day of my visit to PP).

[NewImage]

I spent 3 weeks in PP in 2013 working, and I never saw any local currency. It was all small USD bills for tuk tuks etc.
In fact, I just checked my stash of left-over currencies that I bring back after various stints abroad, and I don't have an envelope of Cambodian money.

I paid every charge in USD, including my regular tuk tuk driver who used to wait for me outside my hotel.

Bring a pocket full of your small bills and hang on to them for all purchases.

So if I'm coming from Australia to Cambodia is it best just to convert to US dollars when I arrive and not even worry about local currency.

I imagine like most asian countries better to exchange in Cambodia.

[Banana Boi]

I spent 3 weeks in PP in 2013 working, and I never saw any local currency. It was all small USD bills for tuk tuks etc.

What happened when you went to a store, restaurant, or bar? They rounded up to the next US dollar?

[Red Kilt]

US currency is the main currency used in PP. All transactions done in US bills. You will get Cambodia money back as small change. Use that to pay your tuk tuks and tipping at restaurants if you feel the need to do so.

I spent 3 weeks in PP in 2013 working, and I never saw any local currency. It was all small USD bills for tuk tuks etc.
In fact, I just checked my stash of left-over currencies that I bring back after various stints abroad, and I don't have an envelope of Cambodian money.

I paid every charge in USD, including my regular tuk tuk driver who used to wait for me outside my hotel.

Bring a pocket full of your small bills and hang on to them for all purchases.

[Banana Boi]

US currency is the main currency used in PP. All transactions done in US bills. You will get Cambodia money back as small change. Use that to pay your tuk tuks and tipping at restaurants if you feel the need to do so.

As for regular night clubs to pick up girls, why waste time unless you're trying to save $40 on a freebie. Hit 104,130, and 136 and you're good to go. You can add Darling Darling, Pontoon, and Cyrcee too. You'll have fun there. Please report back.

[Titanio]

Where are the really, really pretty girls? I saw one at the Sun Moon. She was very beautiful. Will ask her to have dinner with us next time I see her. But I want to find lady boys but have yet to spot one. Any suggestions?

Otherwise this is a very cool place. I've seen lots of nice looking older white men though. Looking very happy and having fun!

Some bars in Street 104 have them. They can be real fun in PP, just for a chat and a drink.

[BSticks]

Hey vets,

After years of playing in the Philippines and the occasional Thai trip I have decided to do a quick 3 day weekend in PP. I've tried to keep an eye on this thread for the past year as Cambodia has always been interesting to me and apparently a cheap alternative to Pattaya. I do have a few quick questions that I am hoping vets can answer:

1) Any pay for play or areas of fun I should check out during the day time activities?

2) When I am at the airport, should I just keep USA currency or convert to local currency? This is probably the most important so I know how to deal with taxis / tuk tuks, tips, restaurants, etc.

3) Any advise on where the best freelance club would be? I'm only 29 and look way younger than that so I do want to try a night of bars and one night of clubs.

Major thanks ahead of time. Really-really pumped for this upcoming initial trip.

[Lonely566]

Where are the really, really pretty girls? I saw one at the Sun Moon. She was very beautiful. Will ask her to have dinner with us next time I see her. But I want to find lady boys but have yet to spot one. Any suggestions?

Otherwise this is a very cool place. I've seen lots of nice looking older white men though. Looking very happy and having fun!

[AskeAske]

Aske, These are the top top girls that can be taken home from all the bars for $40 LT or ones over 25 years? In all the bars I visited over 1 week there were likely only 10-15 girls I would consider ST / LT. I am pretty picky.

The girl who asked me for $100 AFTER sex was a girl who pursued me, I spent 2 nights DFK'ing and HJ from her in the bar, so I decided WTF I'll BF her. Definitely was not a case of her not liking me / my money. More so a case of thinking I was rich or a sucker. I was told on a subsequent night she is very particular who she BF with and does not go with many guys.

Yes. BB. That is true that some girl are maybe even more picky than you. I know girls who maybe only take 2 custommer every month. They wait until they find a custommer who pay top dollar for them.

I am not so picky. I take girl between 20 and 30. I like a pretty face and a slim body, but think that attitude is more important. But I have barfined many top girls in Phnom Penh and paid 30 or 40 dollar LT. Off course not from Darling darling.

[Banana Boi]

Aske, These are the top top girls that can be taken home from all the bars for $40 LT or ones over 25 years? In all the bars I visited over 1 week there were likely only 10-15 girls I would consider ST / LT. I am pretty picky.

The girl who asked me for $100 AFTER sex was a girl who pursued me, I spent 2 nights DFK'ing and HJ from her in the bar, so I decided WTF I'll BF her. Definitely was not a case of her not liking me / my money. More so a case of thinking I was rich or a sucker. I was told on a subsequent night she is very particular who she BF with and does not go with many guys.

[AskeAske]

Darling Darling girls are generally asking for $150 US from listening to conversations of others. Up to you how well you can negotiate from that. Regular bar girls $50 makes them more than happy for ST, $80 for LT. Again, up to you to negotiate from that. I'm sure $40 for ST would be ok for most. Some girls ask $80-100 ST just walk away. I had an "up to you" for price then she wanted $100 ST after boom boom. She got $50 and was sent on her merry way.

I did not meet any girl anywhere that did not BF.

If a girl ask for to much it is many times because she don't like you. Just walk away and find another one. In the bars in Phnom Penh. I never pay more than 40 dollar LT + BF. Many time I pay 30 dollar + BF. I never take girls ST.

Many time you can meet girls from Darling Darling late night in Poonton. If they have no custommer in DD they go to Poonton to look for custommer. Many time you can take them LT for 40 - 50 dollar.

[Banana Boi]

Darling Darling girls are generally asking for $150 US from listening to conversations of others. Up to you how well you can negotiate from that. Regular bar girls $50 makes them more than happy for ST, $80 for LT. Again, up to you to negotiate from that. I'm sure $40 for ST would be ok for most. Some girls ask $80-100 ST just walk away. I had an "up to you" for price then she wanted $100 ST after boom boom. She got $50 and was sent on her merry way.

I did not meet any girl anywhere that did not BF.

[BroJeslov]

Hey bros,

Arriving in PP tomorrow for first time. Staying at Naga World. I've checked the site and there seems to be some dispute as to what punters are paying versus what they should be paying in this part of the world. I know that's sometimes the nature of things and my dick is a poor negotiator so would appreciate an update on what I should reasonably consider the "going rate". At Nagaworld and also in the nearby bar scene.

Thanks bros.

[RacShack]

Pussies are tight! 555 seriously. Difficult to get inside and I am no John Holmes.

Hi,

Your box is full I'm trying to send you info on New Years stuff! Let me know when you clear.