Phnom Penh

**Dinghy** · 07-27-09 14:12

is that damned construction still closing the riverside area? Don't think I'll make it over anyway...

**Betong** · 07-27-09 14:08

Originally Posted by Meepmeep99

I don't think Cambodia is a place for first timers anyway.

I don't either, but at this point we're not going to convince them. Airfares are cheap and they're convinced that SE Asia's a kind of theme park.

But really my feeling is that fellow hobbyists can approach this place any way they want. I'm just thankful that when I first came here there was zero information on it, and the only guys I could find to ask about it were all carrying guns -- the UNTAC troops!

**Wendella** · 07-27-09 11:27

Originally Posted by Meepmeep99

Hey I'm not saying don't read the forum but just that as a total know nothing tourist to asia why not just get there and see for yourself then get on the net, I remember coming out of don muang for the first time straight into the humid noisy dark night didn't even have a hotel to go to and I'd never been as far as spain before.

Well, so did I, arrived at midnight at Don Muang, stayed a few days in BKK (ended up at some godforsaken hellhole of a hotel somewhere in the north of the city, my taxi driver's preferred spot I think) and then up to Chiang Mai. Totally missed out on Sukhumvit cuz I didn't know about it.

I suppose there's a happy medium to be found. And I guess different people like to do it different ways -- some like you, show up; others want to research before going. Takes all kinds.

**Meepmeep99** · 07-26-09 23:27

Originally Posted by Wendella

You're right, it is as if they want to start their holiday before they get there. I can say first hand that this is part of the fun of the holiday, getting excited about it before you leave. And posting questions here and discussing it is part of that. I always do it before heading off to Thailand or Cambodia. I guess if they were content to jsut show up and find out, a lot fewer people would be here discussing the places. So it's a good thing, imo. They can still show up and ask people they meet, and if they haven't been here they'll still get the culture shock.

Hey I'm not saying don't read the forum but just that as a total know nothing tourist to asia why not just get there and see for yourself then get on the net, I remember coming out of don muang for the first time straight into the humid noisy dark night didn't even have a hotel to go to and I'd never been as far as spain before.

**Meepmeep99** · 07-26-09 23:18

Originally Posted by Betong

Absolutely. My only concern is when we get people who want to be spoon-fed every last little detail . . . what bar should I go to, what girl do I take, how much do I pay and what do I get for that. (I'm exaggerating but not much.) It's like those poor people wandering around with Lonely Planet surgically attached to their hand. It's a 'safe' holiday but not nearly as much fun as exploring and making your own discoveries.

Thats exactly what I'm talking about the 'spoon feeding of info' to total newbies and I don't think Cambodia is a place for first timers anyway. I never knew where any of the places were, but by after a few chats and chance meetings I ended up in cyrcee (spelling) heart of darkness. Can you imagine me being taken to a chicken farm for the first time, fantastic.

**Phil Istine** · 07-26-09 09:32

I find the net invaluable before travelling and yes i do laugh at people who clutch their LP as their bible.

Before my first trip to PP I did my research and really enjoyed sophie,LCC,mikado etc etc.

I would not have known about them without the net,asking local khmers is a waste of time and asking local barang can be the same.

I meet so many people here who still dont know the best places to go.

Luckily beacause of ignorance there are still good places to go while the herd do the tired sharkey,WA and martini circuit.

As for cheap condos-how much is cheap?

There is a wide selection of apartments for rent from $250 upwards.

I have a mate who has serviced apartments on the riverside for $30 a night,much nicer than a hotel.

**Betong** · 07-26-09 07:15

Originally Posted by Wendella

I can say first hand that this is part of the fun of the holiday, getting excited about it before you leave. And posting questions here and discussing it is part of that.

Absolutely. My only concern is when we get people who want to be spoon-fed every last little detail . . . what bar should I go to, what girl do I take, how much do I pay and what do I get for that. (I'm exaggerating but not much.) It's like those poor people wandering around with Lonely Planet surgically attached to their hand. It's a 'safe' holiday but not nearly as much fun as exploring and making your own discoveries.

**Wendella** · 07-26-09 06:11

Originally Posted by Meepmeep99

Ever thought of just turning up?, i did, i never even thought to consult the internet before i went. It's funny really, i see everywhere newbies asking for info and it's as if they want to start to live there holiday before they get there. Why don't you turn up and ask people you meet for advice, there's a whole world out there. Although i'd do Tailand before Cambodia to get maximum culture shock benifit.

You're right, it is as if they want to start their holiday before they get there. I can say first hand that this is part of the fun of the holiday, getting excited about it before you leave. And posting questions here and discussing it is part of that. I always do it before heading off to Thailand or Cambodia. I guess if they were content to jsut show up and find out, a lot fewer people would be here discussing the places. So it's a good thing, imo. They can still show up and ask people they meet, and if they haven't been here they'll still get the culture shock.

**Meepmeep99** · 07-25-09 23:46

Originally Posted by Jallabar 1207

Hey there, after browsing through the forum for a couple of weeks now I thought its time to pop my cherry.

I am doing a SEA trip in the end of this year and need a place to stay that has reliable broadband con. I assume staying in hostels won't do the job then right? Can you guys recommend any sources where I can find cheap condos in PP area?

Thanks,

Keep it up

Matt

Ever thought of just turning up?, i did, i never even thought to consult the internet before i went. It's funny really, i see everywhere newbies asking for info and it's as if they want to start to live there holiday before they get there. Why don't you turn up and ask people you meet for advice, there's a whole world out there. Although i'd do Tailand before Cambodia to get maximum culture shock benifit.

**SillyBastard** · 07-25-09 15:04

Originally Posted by Spain

Is hotel Paragon guest Friendly?

Hola Spain.

Yes it is. Nice rooms, friendly owner and staff. The staff call you up after the guest leaves to make sure all is OK. Good place to stay and cheap too!

Adios Amigo!

**Wendella** · 07-25-09 07:59

Originally Posted by Northern Axe

For me it's been the other way around, the vitamin-pills have been working great but when i bought a box with K-Jelly it turned out to be fake. Whatever was inside was like orange juice in consistence and didn't taste as bitter as it should. Never got any effect from the 2 i tried so i had to throw them in the bin. Try before buy! I usually buy my pills a little bit down 51 from 136 but the Jelly i bought from a pharmacy in the corner of 51-136.

Just a suggestion, you guys should probably post the exact name (and/or address) of the place you bought these fakes from since there's a bunch of these places on that stretch and there's no way for readers here to know which places to avoid, exactly.

It may be that none of them can be trusted, or it may be that both of you bought from the same one place that can't be trusted.

Actually, Axe did specify one of his places as ON the corner of 51 & 136, so that one is clear at least.

I suppose you could go back to the place with the opened jelly packet, point down to the result and ask for your money back. "Look, it's obviously not working."

**Northern Axe** · 07-24-09 16:20

Originally Posted by Dinghy

side report - either the vitamins V, K and C just aren't working for me or the stuff from the pharmacies on ST 136 near the central market on the way to ST 51 is counterfeit of the INDIAN stuff.??? Try 1 pack before buying a batch of it.

The packets of gel K seem to work though - havent found source for apsalis gel there yet (available in Pattaya tho)

For me it's been the other way around, the vitamin-pills have been working great but when i bought a box with K-Jelly it turned out to be fake. Whatever was inside was like orange juice in consistence and didn't taste as bitter as it should. Never got any effect from the 2 i tried so i had to throw them in the bin. Try before buy! I usually buy my pills a little bit down 51 from 136 but the Jelly i bought from a pharmacy in the corner of 51-136.

**Dinghy** · 07-24-09 15:17

well gee, axe - is that like "I've never gone to bed with an ugly woman but I've woken up with a few!"?

side report - either the vitamins V, K and C just aren't working for me or the stuff from the pharmacies on ST 136 near the central market on the way to ST 51 is counterfeit of the INDIAN stuff.??? Try 1 pack before buying a batch of it.

The packets of gel K seem to work though - havent found source for apsalis gel there yet (available in Pattaya tho)

**Amjeck** · 07-24-09 12:49

Originally Posted by Opebo

The hostess bars that I visited have all been very expensive, and seem to employ only Kmer girls, which don't interest me much due to poor service.

What are the current prices at the hostess bars?

**Spain** · 07-23-09 22:59

Is hotel Paragon guest Friendly?

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