Phnom Penh

[QUOTE=Wendella;1115418]But as long as you're cautious, not more dangerous than big cities in our own countries. But I don't take my laptop to places like Phnom Penh where I'd be out of my room with no way to certainly protect it.[/QUOTE]Depending on how much you need your laptop on your trip, you can always get a "Kensington" laptop lock and cable and loop it through some heavy furniture. Not foolproof -- only a fool thief would take the trouble to break the lock or be seen dragging a desk through the lobby.

[quote=mrbigy;1116044]snooky was dead, not one hoe, seriously. and the local cambodian bar server told me that the party on the beach ends at 12, not like before until sunrise. the king wants cambo to be a replica of thai. so. snooky was ghost beach town full of half-naked frenchman walking around in speedos pretending its the riveria. sad. i met some expats who live in pataya who were just chillin in snooky and they told me that snooky is dead too, not like before. so things have changed.[/quote]last time i was there things were normal (1 month ago). never cared much for the victory bars (i prefer fls) but freedom had the usual girls. at around 10-11pm all the girls seem to go to utopia where there is usually a good party atmosphere although a lot of (judgmental) backpackers as well. ater that (round 12-1) they're off to dolphin bar or the lvm disco. that is roughlyy the fl-route. outside that route, things can seem dead. i agree on that.

anyway. i'm going tomorrow again for a short stop and will report on shv

[quote=mrbigy;1116044]snooky was dead[/quote]tell me something i haven't known for 7 years.

"full of half-naked frenchman walking around in speedos"

this is the most frightening thing i gave ever read.

[QUOTE=MrBigy;1116044]snooky is dead too, not like before. So things have changed.[/QUOTE]What do you mean "too". You already said Snooky was dead in your post. Was that a mistake, and you meant to write the name of a second place that's also dead? Or did you really mean Snooky that last time as well?

[QUOTE=Wendella;1116234]What do you mean "too". You already said Snooky was dead in your post. Was that a mistake, and you meant to write the name of a second place that's also dead? Or did you really mean Snooky that last time as well?[/QUOTE]I believe he's saying that the expats he met also agreed that Snookys was dead.

I have just realised that some of my visit to PP will be during the Cambodian New Year (April 14, 15, 16). I'm around from the 11th. 21st. Can anybody inform me what the implications are then over this period (and immediately before and after) as far as: 1) the number of girls who'll be around in the usual hostess bars (such as 136 St etc) ; the FL out of venues such as Walkabout, Martini, Sharkeys etc; the demand for mid-range hotels around the riverside area. I have a fear that all the skirt might go back to the countryside in this period which would be a blow? (Rather than a blow. If you get my drift). Any insights welcome.

[QUOTE=Ppfrequentv; 1116070]Last time I was there things were normal (1 month ago). Never cared much for the Victory bars (I prefer FLs) but Freedom had the usual girls. At around 10-11pm all the girls seem to go to Utopia where there is usually a good party atmosphere although a lot of (judgmental) backpackers as well. Ater that (round 12-1) they're off to Dolphin bar or the LVM disco. That is roughlyy the FL-route. Outside that route, things can seem dead. I agree on that.

Anyway. I'm going tomorrow again for a short stop and will report on SHV[/QUOTE]That's what I mostly observed last December. Victory Hill will have many hostess bars.

I like Utopia; it has that mixture of freelancers and backpackers; I like that scene.

Never been to Dolphin bar or the LVM disco; I might check those out the next time I'm there.

Are you going to go to the chicken farm at the port (around Biba). I was there several years ago. It was yucky; haven't been back since. I was told Blue Mountan was closed last December; didn't verify.

There's a house / brothel in town; but you need to know where it is; when I went, it was dark; can't remember where it is. Not sure how many there are. You need to negotiate. If you take a transport driver, he will add his commission.

[QUOTE=TrickyTrevor;1116675]I have just realised that some of my visit to PP will be during the Cambodian New Year (April 14, 15, 16). I'm around from the 11th. 21st. Can anybody inform me what the implications are then over this period (and immediately before and after) as far as: 1) the number of girls who'll be around in the usual hostess bars (such as 136 St etc) ; the FL out of venues such as Walkabout, Martini, Sharkeys etc; the demand for mid-range hotels around the riverside area. I have a fear that all the skirt might go back to the countryside in this period which would be a blow? (Rather than a blow. If you get my drift). Any insights welcome.[/QUOTE]My experience over the last five years is that the town is very very very quiet with Khmer New Year. But you can get laid, not have to worry about that.

[QUOTE=Asianpussylover;1109175]Thanks for spilling the beans. Now I hope that a raid will not occur.[/QUOTE]Is this the '64 street' where pimps creep there hand over the door and steal your money, I would't go to 64 street even if miss world was available.

[QUOTE=Iching;1117622]Is this the '64 street' where pimps creep there hand over the door and steal your money, I would't go to 64 street even if miss world was available.[/QUOTE]Yes and no.

No: it's St 63, not 64.

Yes: yes that's where it happens.

Nothing close to Miss World there. These places used to charge just $5 or so, without the phantom hand, and at that price it was worth a look. But these days they charge as much as ones working in Martini, Circee or some other places. So there's no more reason to even try it. And with this scam they pull, it would be pointless now even if they did charge less. One way to look at it: you're paying an extra $10 now for the guy outside to try to steal your pants.

I read that some old timers have mover from k-12 to Indonesia. Where in Indonesia is good for K-12 prices and laid back fun and excitment? Or can someone direct me to some good reports? Thanks all!

A couple new clubs have opened up near Flamingo's / Walkabout / Heart of Darkness.

One is called Pontoon and the other is QC (QG?).

Not quite sure why they decided to add more clubs. Even in the high season, it doesn't seem like there are enough customers to support them.

However, if the area gets a little more activity maybe it'll draw some new girls in.

[QUOTE=Evianist; 1118294]A couple new clubs have opened up near Flamingo's / Walkabout / Heart of Darkness.

One is called Pontoon and the other is QC (QG?).

Not quite sure why they decided to add more clubs. Even in the high season, it doesn't seem like there are enough customers to support them.

However, if the area gets a little more activity maybe it'll draw some new girls in. [/QUOTE]

GQ maybe? (after the famous men's magazine)

More likely it would just draw more away from Martini (and Sharky). Same girls just spread out more. Just means they're not all in one place any more. To me, that's worse. It only makes it harder to find the one you're after. Rather than go to Martini, grab a spot and wait for her to pass, now you have to drive all over town from one place to another. And if a place is mixed crowd (as opposed to the working-only crowd at Martini) that makes it yet more difficult to find them. If on the other hand it tends to be a midnight and later spot, it would cut into Heart's crowd, which would be good. But then again, the whole twisted door policy there (let the Khmer gun-toting rich kids with their armed bodyguards in, pat down all the foreigners who have no guns) would probably just shift over to the new places.

[QUOTE=Wendella; 1118324]GQ maybe? (after the famous men's magazine)

More likely it would just draw more away from Martini (and Sharky). Same girls just spread out more. Just means they're not all in one place any more. To me, that's worse. It only makes it harder to find the one you're after. Rather than go to Martini, grab a spot and wait for her to pass, now you have to drive all over town from one place to another. And if a place is mixed crowd (as opposed to the working-only crowd at Martini) that makes it yet more difficult to find them. If on the other hand it tends to be a midnight and later spot, it would cut into Heart's crowd, which would be good. But then again, the whole twisted door policy there (let the Khmer gun-toting rich kids with their armed bodyguards in, pat down all the foreigners who have no guns) would probably just shift over to the new places. [/QUOTE]

They're half a block away from Heart, and the same sort of trendy clubby feel, so I suspect it will mostly dilute some of the late night Heart girls away.

Last night I went into both new places around midnight. GQ had 5 people in it, and Pontoon had about 15. Left both and went to Heart, which was full like usual.

That's why I don't understand why they were built. Just not enough people to support 2 more clubs.

Sharky's was pretty quiet also. Only about 15 girls and maybe 40 guys.

Phnom Penh really needs some new girls. Selection is pretty limited.

[QUOTE=Evianist;1118340]Phnom Penh really needs some new girls. Selection is pretty limited.[/QUOTE]How about Martini's these days? Decent total numbers?