Phnom Penh

[Sam Sanuk]

I photograph all large USD bills that I get out of an ATM in Cambodia. Then when I go to spend them and someone hands me back "my" note and says it is no good, then I know if it is mine or not.

I don't want anyone doing a switcheroo on me, especially when large amounts are involved. I had it happen to me in Ecuador from hookers and taxi drivers. But not yet in Cambodia.

Interesting scam. For those who are especially careful or paranoid, you can buy the counterfeit detection pens used in some retail stores located in the USA Amazon sells them for $1 00-$1 50 each in packs of 6-8. The pens are also available at office supply outlets in the USA.

SS.

[Franga]

I photograph all large USD bills that I get out of an ATM in Cambodia. Then when I go to spend them and someone hands me back "my" note and says it is no good, then I know if it is mine or not.

I don't want anyone doing a switcheroo on me, especially when large amounts are involved. I had it happen to me in Ecuador from hookers and taxi drivers. But not yet in Cambodia.

[Banana Boi]

Currency. US Dollars work just fine everywhere.

Make sure yout USD or any other acceptable foreign currency is in very good to excellent condition or the bars and restaurants will not take them. I still remember one incident I had using a pretty good condition USD. The guy at the cashier said he can't accept it since it was wrinkled. I had to talk to the manager at length to accept my 50 USD. When they finaly accepted it the same cashier started handing me USD change in far worse condition that he would not accept just a few minutes earlier. I gave him an earful and he just laughed and reached in for crisp new bills.

I also still have a souvenir from Cambodia. A possible counterfeit 50 USD bill. I think this is what happened. Was at Bar 104. Handed them a good 50 USD I just took out of the ATM earlier in the night. They came back to me and asked it I had smaller bills since they didn't have change. I managed to find smaller change. They handed me 50 USD back. I didn't check it. I went home and took my money out of my pockets and immediately noticed the 50 USD from Bar 104 was either counterfeit or was an odd looking 50 USD bill. Management knows me at Bar 104 but I didn't go back to complain about it as I don't know who the culprit in the bar was. Chalked it up to a lesson learned and now I check all bills of value I receive in Asia.

[Blanquiceleste]

Hotels? Area? Ride from airport? Are there clubs as well as bars? Do we exchange money or use US dollars?

Evidently you have not RTFF. But here goes, so more members will benefit.

Hotels: Assuming you want to stay close to the girly bar action. Depends on your budget too. Amanjaya Pancam is probably the only $100+ hotel in that vicinity. Next come hotels like Sun & Moon Urban and The Quay Boutique. These will be $70-$90 depending on what kind of rooms you want. After that you will find several in the $50 range. Lux Riverside is a tried and tested option. There is also Ohana Phnom Penh, Harmony, Panorama, etc. Run a search on Agoda / Booking / Hotels and you will get a sense of the place. All are Guest Friendly. There are other hotels too, but I have not stayed in them, so you can go by reviews on the internet.

Ride from airport: Take a state run taxi. $12 fixed price from airport to riverside. Follow the signs, it is not hard. Walk outside the airport and hail a tuk-tuk if you want to save $4-$5. If it is raining this will be a big hassle. There is an ride sharing app called PassApp. Works like Uber. A bit cheaper than the regular taxi.

Clubs: Of course there are clubs in Phnom Penh. Darlin Darlin at NagaWorld is the place to go if you want to pick up WGs. Best chicks in town, $100 for ST at your hotel. Then there is Epic, F-Club (in NagaWorld), Pontoon, Heart of Darkness, Eclipse Sky Bar, Club 88, Boss, V Club, Muse, Vito, Club Love, etc. Take your pick. YMMV.

Currency. US Dollars work just fine everywhere. You get return change less than a dollar in local currency. Keep that to pay tips at all places you visit. People expect to be tipped.

Now that you have taken, make sure you give back by writing a report after you visit.

[Blanquiceleste]

I just got a noticed saying my evisa status is "skip" and that my processing has been postponed. Has anybody had this before?

This is a first! I think you should call the Embassy and ask them for details after a day or two if nothing moves. I would not take this lightly.

[Blanquiceleste]

Popped into Honeypot on Street 130 - always found this a good, well-run bar.

But a bit different last night as there was a european hostess working. Blonde girl prob mid 20's. She was with a customer and so I did not talk to her but one of the local girls said she was from Europe and spoke english.

Dunno. Maybe a backpacker who lost her way (or maybe lost her wallet! Will try to get back and have a chat but others might like to check her out and update us.

Some BM on the Bangkok, Thailand forum wrote about a fair skinned Cambodian girl who spoke impeccable English (with an OZ accent). Could be her? Matches the other parts of your description.

Keep the thread informed.

[Trafukin]

Hotels? Area? Ride from airport? Are there clubs as well as bars? Do we exchange money or use US dollars?

[KingAmongKings]

I just got a noticed saying my evisa status is "skip" and that my processing has been postponed. Has anybody had this before?

[KingAmongKings]

Hey guys,

I wanted to play some Texas hold them in Phnom Penh. I found riverking and nagaworld. Wondering I anyone can give me info on the situations at these places. Pros and cons etc.

Thanks.

[Bubba999]

Popped into Honeypot on Street 130 - always found this a good, well-run bar.

But a bit different last night as there was a european hostess working. Blonde girl prob mid 20's. She was with a customer and so I did not talk to her but one of the local girls said she was from Europe and spoke english.

Dunno. Maybe a backpacker who lost her way (or maybe lost her wallet! Will try to get back and have a chat but others might like to check her out and update us.

[Franga]

Hey guys,

I will be going to Phnom Penh in December. Was wondering about the Visa situation. I read online you can get it on arrival in the airport for $30, but I also see you can do it online at the official government site.

Any suggestions?

It's not a problem to get a visa on arrival at the airport. Takes about 5 minutes. Bring a photo. But be aware that if you give them $100 usd cash for the tourist visa they will try and scam you for $5 and only give you $65 change instead of $70. Just tell them to give you the extra $5, and they will give it back. This happened twice in a row to me so it is an obvious scam by the immigration officials.

[Blanquiceleste]

Will not waste any time in the bars anymore next time, unless I want to go for drinks.

Performance down, scams up, WTF even Phil & now Malaysia. Playground is becoming a lottery and we know who odds are usually in favour of. Geezzzzzz.

No offense meant, but once in a while it might be good to introspect and see if there is anything wrong you are doing as a monger. A short list of possibilities.

1. Are you giving off the wrong vibe?

2. Are you being cheap?

3. Are you groomed properly, do not smell or look unclean?

4 Are you being rude or high-handed with the wait staff and the bar girls?

5. Are you haggling over a few dollars? Remember you have more, the girls have less. I read Michelangelo's post where he quotes ST at $30 and LT at $50. I think this may be a tad less than expectations on the street.

6. Do you have unrealistic expectations in terms of performance? This is not an oily massage parlor in BKK.

7. Are you doing stuff to girls in your room that make them uncomfortable? Remember, words gets around quickly in these parts.

8. Are you staying in a really cheap dive of a hotel? This should not matter much though.

9. Do you treat the your date for the night well? Like feed them, etc.

10. Are you smiling enough?

[NewImage]

Just visited PP one year after my last visit. Bad start. My favorite hotel is now closed (Bougainvillier) - building is for rent. Less beggars in the streets than last year, but more motorbike drivers and tuk-tuk drivers harassing you as you walk around. One evening I made a 1 km walk on the quay and was asked 29 times! OK, you can ignore them, but it is a real pain.
Coffee shops all over the place now, with Starbucks, Amazon, Gloria Jeans, Boss and dozens of small independent outfits. That is on the positive side. Hooters apparently has given up and will not open.
Will not waste any time in the bars anymore next time, unless I want to go for drinks.

Performance down, scams up, WTF even Phil & now Malaysia. Playground is becoming a lottery and we know who odds are usually in favour of. Geezzzzzz.

[Michelangelo]

Just visited PP one year after my last visit. Bad start. My favorite hotel is now closed (Bougainvillier) - building is for rent. Less beggars in the streets than last year, but more motorbike drivers and tuk-tuk drivers harassing you as you walk around. One evening I made a 1 km walk on the quay and was asked 29 times! OK, you can ignore them, but it is a real pain.

Coffee shops all over the place now, with Starbucks, Amazon, Gloria Jeans, Boss and dozens of small independent outfits. That is on the positive side. Hooters apparently has given up and will not open.

Many new bars on street 130 and a few new ones in the little side streets. 136 not very busy, same for 104. Nice, but girls have turned into drink sluts and pressure to buy drinks has increased to a level which makes it unpleasant, especially if you walk into a bar on your own. Bar fining is not a problem. Prices negotiable but 30 $ for ST and 50 $ LT still applicable (of course, in one of the bars a first time Japanese visitor was quoted 50 $ ST and he went for it without discussion). Many girls willing to go, but performance is lousy. Picked a nice one from a small bar in a side street of 136. Very GF in the bar with a shy attitude. Once in the room she would not take off her cloth without turning off the light, shower alone and hide under the bed cover with a towel! Any attempt to remove the towel would generate a scream! Finally managed to have her naked on the bed, but I got fed up with it, threw her cloths at her and kicked her out. Wasted barfine! It was late already, but could not end the evening without getting laid properly, so went straight to Cyrcee and took 2 nice ones to the hotel next door. No fuss, straight to business and a great attitude of both girls in a perfect threeseome.

Will not waste any time in the bars anymore next time, unless I want to go for drinks.

[Blanquiceleste]

The best way is to get the online Visa before. Less hassle and also cheaper and you don't have to stay on queue at the airport.

You can go by bus to Siem reap. The tuk tuk drivers will Catch you there.

(I hope this is acceptable for my first post).

Applying for a visa online costs $35. Getting a visa on arrival costs $30. So it is not cheaper, but definitely more convenient. Get a bus to SR.