Phnom Penh

[QUOTE=Javel]My 1. St trip to Cambodia.

Did the route that is mostly suggested at this page.

Walkabout: nothing of interest.

Sharkeys: mostly to old.

Martini: A few lookers, but most girls with mobile phone in one hand, and a cigarette in the other.

Streetwalkers: Didn't look for it, but observed some action in the park around what Phnom at daytime.

Stayed at California2, crappy place, if this reflects standard of lodging in PP the price level must be the double of Thailand.

Always wondered about the guys at this site that mentions the "walk of shame". 1. St time I understood them was at California2, every time I brought a girl to the room a group of guys in the bar made comments to the girls like: nice to see you again, Hi back again already or have you moved here now.

None of the girls liked the comments, and the guys started to [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] me off to. Avoid this place.

My conclusion is either is Cambodia "over the hill" or I did not find the right places.

If nobody enlightens me, I will stay away in the future.
[/QUOTE]
For the most part, I agree with your comments on the clubs, and you did well to avoid the streetwalkers. I am surprised at your comments on the California 2. I have not been yet, but the original had a good reputation, as does the owner. If the customers were yelling comments, then they were out of line and immature. Unfortunately, that is an accurate description of several expats in Phnom Penh, including some but by no means all who were regulars at the old Cali 2. The standard of rooms for the money in Cambodia is considerably lower than Pattaya, and somewhat lower than Bangkok. For the $25-$35 that I believe California 2 charges, you should get a reasonably attractive, clean, medium-sized room with comfortable, medium-quality furniture and a decent television and bathroom. It will NOT be the equivalent of a room at Pattaya Bay Resort or Sand Springs. If that is what you were expecting, I can see why you would be disappointed. Nowhere else in Southeast Asia has hotels that are as good for the money as what you may be used to in Pattaya, at least in the under $50 range.

[QUOTE=Javel]
Stayed at California2, crappy place, if this reflects standard of lodging in PP the price level must be the double of Thailand.

Always wondered about the guys at this site that mentions the "walk of shame". 1. St time I understood them was at California2, every time I brought a girl to the room a group of guys in the bar made comments to the girls like: nice to see you again, Hi back again already or have you moved here now.

None of the girls liked the comments, and the guys started to [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] me off to. Avoid this place.

[/QUOTE]

How long were you there, can I ask?

I revisited recently, had been there back in the heydey (1st time 2001) and its not what it used to be (but what place is?)... that said I had some luck at Martini and also at the bars on 136 street... 104 street is same deal. Circee Club is reliable tho there was only 1 girl there who was interesting to me (and she was always busy with another guy).

Now, about California 2, actually despite what Sharka mentioned, that IS a monger-oriented hotel -- it's GF and I've seen it mentioned often in threads like this one as the hotel of choice of at least some guys who are into this scene. Of the riverfront hotels, it is the one Ive seen mentioned most, and was probably the most mentioned place in the days before Flamingo opened. OK, 2nd most: walkabout has always been #1 most mentioned. But the point is that California 2 actually IS one of the places mongers would normally go to. Hopefully the owner is reading here and would act accordingly, namely to put those losers in their place for doing something like that to one of his paying guests. If he's ok with that, then we should all boycott his hotel. (btw: where was the owner at the time? Was he hanging out with those guys?)

Anyway, obviously the guys there are regulars in the scene. And they sound like total dicks. That is not what is normally referred to as the walk of shame, but more of one where you enter with a girl and STAFF give strange looks as you pass (usually because they know whats up, not cuz they recognize the girl)... normally they wouldn't be ridiculing you out loud, that's pretty extreme -- and for fellow mongers to do that, well... pretty lame. I have to say, I did witness more than the typical assenine behavior on the part of mongers there -- things along those same lines. Idiots trying their best to act like no-class idiots.

Don't understand all this cali2 crap.

I have been a regular there playing pool and drinking with the missus for a long time, many months.

I must have visited scores of times and have never seen or heard anything derogatory by the guys at the bar.

My missus is somewhat striking and I am an old bugger so if there were any smart arses I would have heard them.

It is an expat hangout as are other bars and I have never heard any comments passed anywhere that I have been.

I have a mate staying there at the moment and I will gauge his feedback later.

Everything is expensive in Cambodia especially electricity so room prices reflect this.

Jim is a good bloke and so is his manager and I don't believe that they would allow the bed manners alleged.

Suggest that some here may have an axe to grind.

[QUOTE=Hippie]If the customers were yelling comments, then they were out of line and immature. Unfortunately, that is an accurate description of several expats in Phnom Penh, including some but by no means all who were regulars at the old Cali 2.[/QUOTE]Jim the owner is OK, but I quit even going to the bar at Cali 2 (the old one) because I just didn't care for his regulars. Sounds like things haven't improved at the new place.
[QUOTE]For the $25-$35 that I believe California 2 charges, you should get a reasonably attractive, clean, medium-sized room with comfortable, medium-quality furniture and a decent television and bathroom.[/QUOTE]At some of the new guesthouses e. of the Central Market you can get a room like that for $15. Well, maybe a bit smaller, but perfectly clean and nice. I'm surprised more mongers don't use them.

Well I was one of the regulars at the old Cali2 and I dont no what
Sharky is talking about because the new Cali2 is much more upmarket and has a very nice decor. A lot of the old regulars dont hang out there any more as it is just a little bit out of the way and the sidewalk traffic not as interesting to look at. Nor does it have a veiw of the river from the street level.

But the interior is very nice and the staff are excellent. Mostly upmarket backpakers stay there and a few mongers.

[QUOTE=Wendella]How long were you there, can I ask?

I revisited recently, had been there back in the heydey (1st time 2001) and its not what it used to be (but what place is?)... that said I had some luck at Martini and also at the bars on 136 street... 104 street is same deal. Circee Club is reliable tho there was only 1 girl there who was interesting to me (and she was always busy with another guy).

Now, about California 2, actually despite what Sharka mentioned, that IS a monger-oriented hotel -- it's GF and I've seen it mentioned often in threads like this one as the hotel of choice of at least some guys who are into this scene. Of the riverfront hotels, it is the one Ive seen mentioned most, and was probably the most mentioned place in the days before Flamingo opened. OK, 2nd most: walkabout has always been #1 most mentioned. But the point is that California 2 actually IS one of the places mongers would normally go to. Hopefully the owner is reading here and would act accordingly, namely to put those losers in their place for doing something like that to one of his paying guests. If he's ok with that, then we should all boycott his hotel. (btw: where was the owner at the time? Was he hanging out with those guys?)

Anyway, obviously the guys there are regulars in the scene. And they sound like total dicks. That is not what is normally referred to as the walk of shame, but more of one where you enter with a girl and STAFF give strange looks as you pass (usually because they know whats up, not cuz they recognize the girl)... normally they wouldn't be ridiculing you out loud, that's pretty extreme -- and for fellow mongers to do that, well... pretty lame. I have to say, I did witness more than the typical assenine behavior on the part of mongers there -- things along those same lines. Idiots trying their best to act like no-class idiots.[/QUOTE]

To me the walk of shame was always in those hotels with reception areas with lots of foreign tourists. Dragging back some bar girl to a place like that, you would get looks from the tourists - and there is always the risk that some foreign person who knows you/your family/your employment or whatever and makes trouble for you.

I remember the old Cali 2 and I know the new Cali 2 well and although it has changed in terms of price and quality, Wendella is perfectly correct - it is still a very monger friendly guest house - I stayed there several times over the past few months and enjoyed the monger friendliness, such as the in room safe to put all your stuff.

I am surprised that you got this reaction but then the Cali 2 is also a bar that stays open 24 hours. This means that in the wee hours it attracts all sorts of drunks who need more drink or food. And you never know what the cat dragged in with those guys. I doubt that the owner can do much about this kind of behavior as he cannot be present the whole night. I have never had this comment in Cali 2 but I have encountered some very drunk people with issues in the bar late at night.

On the very rare occasion I get this kind of comment elsewhere, I sometimes say to the person making the comment - "don't worry, I'll give you the chance to have sloppy seconds." Or you could pretend that it is your wife they are talking about but that is harder to carry off.

But look at the reality of the situation. Remember that you are about to have some fun with a good looking girl (hopefully!) while the best these guys are able to do is to make comments. I don't know whether it is just me but which would you prefer to be doing, guys - making comments to or about someone else's girl or getting down to business!

[QUOTE=Shadow6491]Well I was one of the regulars at the old Cali2 and I dont no what
Sharky is talking about because the new Cali2 is much more upmarket and has a very nice decor. .[/QUOTE]


Hmm, did someone mistaken me for someone else ??? or misinterpret my post below #2474

I did say I never stayed at the California2 so can't comment on this place
(again see below post #2474).
I only gave advise to generally avoid the small family guesthouses not because they won't you in with the ladies but because they lock the doors and keep everyone out (including you), as you have to sometimes wait 10-15mins before someone inside wakes up and unlock (sometimes unchain) the doors to let you in-- and this always kills the mood with a lady in tow.

Shark

[QUOTE=Sharka]Hmm, did someone mistaken me for someone else ???[/QUOTE]

Yes I think he referred to you as Sharky. ;)

In your post, it didnt seem as if you were aware that Cali2 was a monger-oriented hotel, that's all.

Yeah I've also dealt with that annoying guesthouse scenario where you have to wake someone up to let you in, wait a long time for them to do whatever (find the keys, put on shorts, have a snack, take a little nap again, get up, find keys again, etc etc.) before finally opening the door, and then acting annoyed for having to do it... ugh. Tho I experienced that much more in Vietnam than in Cambodia. Worst of all is after you go through all that and then they say, finally, "she can not come in". Oh ok, I guess I'll just go... find another hotel now.... at .... 3am.

[QUOTE=Simian]To me the walk of shame was always in those hotels with reception areas with lots of foreign tourists.[/QUOTE]
True, that's another version, even more painful/embarrassing than the one I said. At least with the staff you know its something they experience every day. With the tourists, the expression of shock is real. Tho I tend to arrive late in the night when families and other sensitive types aren't still lounging around the lobby.

Sorry Sharka I was wrong on both counts your handle for one and who made the post. It was the post below yours I was reading while looking at your name or maybe it was the quote inside your post.

[QUOTE=Betong]At some of the new guesthouses e. of the Central Market you can get a room like that for $15. Well, maybe a bit smaller, but perfectly clean and nice. I'm surprised more mongers don't use them.[/QUOTE]There are a few on the riverfront too, Mekong Palace has always been good to me but I think recently they stuck a few new pillows and throws on the beds and increased the price by a few dollars for it.

Dara Riang Sey is on street 118 just 2 blocks from the river. $15 for a good sized room, good cable tv (tho the tiniest tv's you're likely to find at any hotel on planet earth). Completely GF.

Indochine is one block over, another some like a lot (tho for me it feels a bit rougher and more cramped than DRS)

DRS is about midway between Sharky (southwest of it, 1 down and 2 over) and St 104 (a few blocks due north), also really close to St 136 bars, and of course the riverfront. Actually, if you head to the river, there are 2 restaurants serving breakfast right at Sisowath Quay (riverfront) and St 118. The one on the north corner has all you can eat breakfast buffet, which included eggs, toast, rice and some pastries but no meats -- coffee or tea, plus juice. Price $3. But the juice tasted like it was made from powder mix, very weak too. And the food had that taste and look of being left out too long. The next day I tried the $2.75 American breakfast at the place on the south corner. Not buffet. This was more like it. Eggs, bacon and toast (which they were happy to replace with croissant -- and it was a really nice one too, moist/buttery and real French style). Can't remember the name of the place but... skip the buffet on the north side, go for the BF special on the south side.

[QUOTE=Wendella]Indochine is one block over, another some like a lot (tho for me it feels a bit rougher and more cramped than DRS)[/QUOTE]Agreed -- one night at Indochine was enough for me.

$15 seems like the standard rate for a good clean a/c cable-TV etc. room at most of the newer hotels in PP that describe themselves as "guesthouses". Upcountry it's usually about $12 now.

My favorite brekkie in PP used to be at Open Wine -- does anyone know if they still do it? I liked it even better than the posh buffet at Le Royale!

Does anyone have any idea how much a bar girl in PP would earn in a month? After a bar fine, how much of a cut of how much they get from a 'customer' would the bar manager want?

[QUOTE=Backtobasics]Does anyone have any idea how much a bar girl in PP would earn in a month? After a bar fine, how much of a cut of how much they get from a 'customer' would the bar manager want?[/QUOTE]The bar will only get money from what happens in the bar, drinks, lady drinks and barfine. They take all or most of the bar fine, what the girl gets from a customer after the bar fine is between them, nothing to do with the bar. They may give moto/tuk tuk a tip if they "delivered" you.

I guess the income depends on business and their looks. $300 might be an average month, $500 a good month. I've only ever asked one girl and that is what I was told. That's not counting and sponsorship if they have any.

Interested to hear if others give different estimates.