Phnom Penh

I don't feel a strong need to weigh in one way or the other on the dispute over Pirate's writing style but I do appreciate the time Jackson is willing to spend translating. I don't think this solution is quite up there with Solomen's but it seems reasonable in light of the position a spectrum of readers has put Jackson in.

In response to Gilgil A's query about a place to stay I agree that Flamingo would be a good choice and can recommend strongly AGAINST the Paragon. While I enjoyed the balcony over looking the river and the help of the staff when a SW tried to steal my camera on the way out after a very unsatisfactory blowjob, the construction next door makes it impossible to sleep or enjoy the room after 7 am.

As the summer weather reduces the influx of visitors you might be able to get into California2 where Jim is a great help to first time visitors.

My thanks to Jackson from the AF

Guys,
No complaints here. I feel that as long as everyone posts according to Jackson's rules, then OK by me.
As for Pirate's posts, I did not enjoy them at all so I put him on my ignore list. I did not complain because others may have enjoyed them but I sure did not like trying to decipher them so I just ignore them. To each his own.
Cheers to all.....you too Pirate 1
Tony

[QUOTE=Correspondent]I'm having a lot of fun reading them.
From some of the replies, others are too.
So this statement appears false.

They are written phonetically, so they are in fact very easy for me to read and understand and I have read all of Pirate1's posts. I like to read them.[/QUOTE]


Although I don't like to enter into a debate on this forum, I ABSOLUTELY agree with the above post.
Many have also PM me saying the same thing. They all had fun "reading" all his enjoyable posts. Many have also said they had benefited from his experiences and posts. Isn't that what this forum was intended to do in the 1st place?
No offense but, what's with the need for a translation of his posts? I never had a problem reading any of them as many others have notice they are phonetically written in English and not some real foreign language. Remember: think like a pirate and "Ye shall understand him".

Choose to ignore Pirate's post if you like (putting him on your ignore list is your own choice--afterall it's a free country) but you will be missing out on very important mongering information and advise. I would say to give him some slack and let him have his fun writing so he could contribute more informative information for the rest of us.----IMO

BTW: Almost forgot to mention that many had also PM me thanking not only me but also Pirate1 for his many posts and advise. It kept many newbies to Cambodia safe from physical harm and they avoided alot of the scams that he had experienced--for that, I'd say "job well done".

Bottom line: Please guys, let's all "Lighten up" and let all the people who like reading Pirate1 posting continue to do so. As far as I know, pirate have never posted any false/bad information and have always helped anyone who had a question. Unlike many others on this forum who I noticed only whine and complain to increase their post counts and never truly contributed any useful information in the pursuit of our hobby.
Perhaps Jackson could crack down on this issue instead.

Jackson, I do know it's all in good intentions and I do appreciate all your efforts in regulating this board. I've come across many, many bad posts that's simply NOT in English (remembered a few in French and one in Jap or was it Chinese?) before they were deleted. Many others were just written in sloppy stupid English that absolutely everyone couldn't understand it. What's worst was the fact that they had absolutely no useful contents for anyone to learn from, just real stupid questions from idiots that no one understood.
Pirate1 is not in the same category as the above. (Most) of us actually enjoy his work and he had contributed alot of useful information in his short career here. I truly don't think he is doing this to spike you. He is just trying to have fun and also provide great information to all of us at the same time, it's something that's not easy to do.
-----again IMO


PT

I think that the problem isn't Pirate's reports specifically. It's that once you start to loosen the established standards, where do you stop.

Reading Pirate's unusually styled reports is not so difficult. But if very many posters started to use their own distinct "style", it would soon grow very tedious indeed.

For this reason I have to agree with Jackson's decision to censor Pirate.

I truly hope he continues to participate in the forum using his obviously excellent standard English.

[QUOTE=Naughty]I think that the problem isn't Pirate's reports specifically. It's that once you start to loosen the established standards, where do you stop.

Reading Pirate's unusually styled reports is not so difficult. But if very many posters started to use their own distinct "style", it would soon grow very tedious indeed.

For this reason I have to agree with Jackson's decision to censor Pirate.

I truly hope he continues to participate in the forum using his obviously excellent standard English.[/QUOTE]
Yes you hit the nail because this forum has certain standards to adhere to. Jackson is a stickler when it comes to proper grammer and punctuation. Pirate is delibertly going against the grain. Its not like he can write in perfectly good english unlike other non-english writers that try their best to eke out a report. The first few times he posted were a novelty but now it is getting old.

Enough of this debate. Why not take this controversy to the membership by conducting a poll!?

The writer's style is not clever, it's irritating. The content is not particularly informative or new either. Avoiding dangerous situations and rip-offs anywhere is a matter of common sense. Specific locations, prices, girls names, etc. are what the forum needs, not a writer's lame attempt to be colorful. Believe me, you will rub shoulders with enough colorful characters once you arrive. And usually avoid them.

My two riels.

[QUOTE=NanaHawk]Hi Gilgil,

My personal preference, at the moment, is The Flamingo Hotel which meets all your criteria except the fishbowl. I think only one hotel ticks that box and I have never stayed there so will leave it to someone else to offer input.

The Flamingo has WiFi access in all rooms but it seems to get weak the higher you go. Up to floor two (third actual level) still has good signal and good response.

The roof-top bar is an absolute sanctuary, with pleasant breezes, as the sun starts to sink and you need to have refreshing beer before starting out on the serious business.

Visa can still be obtained on arrival at the main airports and, if you're arriving at Phnom Penh, it is worthwhile trying to be at the front of the queue as the wait can otherwise be quite infuriating.

Hawk[/QUOTE]It's the only one I stay at for now, and I've stayed at quite a few. The Scandia is nice too, with a small pool and very laid back, near Independence monument, it's on the web. Owner and guests very cool.

[QUOTE=Orygunduk]It's the only one I stay at for now, and I've stayed at quite a few. The Scandia is nice too, with a small pool and very laid back, near Independence monument, it's on the web. Owner and guests very cool.[/QUOTE]Hi Orygunduk,

I used to stay at the Scandic, which was renamed as Scandinavian after some legal wrangle, but I am assuming it is the one you are referring to. It was always such a fantastic oasis in Phnom Penh.

It was sold in the latter part of last year and, though I only visited for a beer on my last visit, seemed to have lost all of the qualities that drew me to it. As well as that the prices had been increased to a level that I cannot justify for Phnom Penh (I think it was up to $50).

I am sure that we all look for different qualities in a hotel but it might be worth anyone making some enquires before going for this old favorite.

Hawk

[QUOTE=Orygunduk] The content is not particularly informative or new either. Avoiding dangerous situations and rip-offs anywhere is a matter of common sense.
[/QUOTE]

Thanks for reminding me... it was Pirate who posted about getting threatened by guys with pipes at one of the places on Street 63, right after getting robbed in the room. I was just reminded by Orygunduk here who thinks that kind of information isn't important. Well, of course I disagree. I got taken to one of those places last year, and sure enough had the mystery hands appear through a crack in the door -- no threats, I was lucky. But that kind of post is exactly the most vital kind of information that's up here. I guess that post got deleted though. By the way, common sense had nothing to do with being in one of those: I'd been to those places before and it wasn't like that in the past.

What I'm put off by are the obnoxious flamers, the ones who post just to ridicule or belittle (usually attacking newbies). Now there's a rule that is explicitly spelled out in the forum rules, but it doesn't seem to get enforced. A pirate is a breath of fresh air next to guys like those.

[QUOTE=NanaHawk]Hi Orygunduk,

I used to stay at the Scandic, which was renamed as Scandinavian after some legal wrangle, but I am assuming it is the one you are referring to. It was always such a fantastic oasis in Phnom Penh.

It was sold in the latter part of last year and, though I only visited for a beer on my last visit, seemed to have lost all of the qualities that drew me to it. As well as that the prices had been increased to a level that I cannot justify for Phnom Penh (I think it was up to $50).

I am sure that we all look for different qualities in a hotel but it might be worth anyone making some enquires before going for this old favorite.

Hawk[/QUOTE]Holy Shit Batman, it sure ain't worth that! Thanks.

[QUOTE=NanaHawk]

I used to stay at the Scandic... think it was up to $50.

Hawk[/QUOTE]

I stayed at the Scandic for a fortnight 18 months ago - it was great, nice and quiet, good food (I seem to remember the Swedish meatballs were very good) etc etc. $50 is taking the [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] though. I am pretty sure I paid about $25 (it could have been as high as $35, but definitely no more than that).

I was not aware of any fishbowls in P-Pehn, or elsewhere in Cambodia.

I am visiting there soon and would love to know about them!

Thanks!

I too, stayed at the Scandic hotel on my first visit to PP. The best things about the place was the bar and the food, both were fantastic. The room I stayed in was on the ground floor, next to the car park. Every time a moto drove in it sounded like it was in my room. The room was very old and very basic. Poor bathroom and very noisy aircon that was not cold. The pool was small with no shade. I did not get a free p/you from the airport as agreed when I booked. Would not stay again or recommend this place.

[QUOTE=Blunderer]I stayed at the Scandic for a fortnight 18 months ago - it was great, nice and quiet, good food (I seem to remember the Swedish meatballs were very good) etc etc. $50 is taking the [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] though. I am pretty sure I paid about $25 (it could have been as high as $35, but definitely no more than that).[/QUOTE]Hi Blunderer,

just checked their website and the room rates now start at $30 and go up to $55 for the "Double Royal with Private balcony". If you want internet access then they charge extra (though it does not say how much).

Now seems to be aimed at the 'upmarket' tourist rather than the mongerer. I stayed there about 15 times in the last 7 years and enjoyed just about every moment there.

The decor is now more stylish and the web site reflects the new image "http://www.scandinavia-hotel-cambodia.com/".

If they were to supply dancing girls and a nice warm, soft living bed warmer then I might be tempted!

Hawk

Well the web site certainly looks attractive. I was going to stay at the FCC since I have a lot of lead time to book. In fact the FCC responded to my letter, saying no problem with joiners. However, would appreciate comments from those of you who could compare the two. Cost is not an issue. Wont be there until Dec., but do like to get organized well in advance. So for a senior aged, adventurous traveler, looking to be comfortable...which one gets the nod?