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My friends who are still in Phnom Penh report that the bars have gone quiet again.
It seems that the very tight border restrictions and visa requirements have cut off the East Asian supply line so there are very few people around.
Anyone on the ground there able to provide an update apart from my sources?
I just received an email article from Trip Advisor titled "8 Countries Americans Can Visit Right Now". Of interest to me and perhaps some of you guys is that Cambodia was listed as 1 or the 8 countries! Here is a link to the article: [URL]https://www.tripadvisor.com/Articles-l20062-Countries_for_americans_to_visit_now.html.[/URL] And the relevant quote is:
"Cambodia is open to Americans right now, but it's not the easiest or most practical place on our list. You'll only find connecting flights—from hubs like Seattle, Dallas, San Francisco, LOS Angeles and New York—with the stop at Incheon International Airport in South Korea.
Cambodia requires travelers to pay a $3,000 deposit upfront to cover any potential coronavirus-related cost. But don't worry, if you test negative for COVID-19 during the mandatory test upon arrival at the airport, you'll only be on the book for $160 of that. More information can be found at [URL]TourismCambodia.com[/URL]. If you're still determined to check Cambodia off your bucket list in 2020, we can't blame you. ".
So I am thinking what the fuck! I like Cambodia, I like Phnom Penh, and I like Khmer girls. I checked the airlines and yes Delta / Korean Air has relatively short duration flights available. I checked dates for October 2020, January and March 2021 as my departure dates. I also checked out Phnom Penh hotels and found my favorites at pretty good discount from normal times. So if there is no quarantine for healthy arrivals, which I will have to check out very carefully before booking, I might just pull the trigger and spend a month or two in Khmer land. Anything is better than waiting around in south Florida for the vaccine and Thailand to open.
Of course if the Phnom Penh hostess bar scene has gone "quiet" again that is another story and I am back to waiting for the travel light to turn green IE the corona vaccine that will save mongering. It's like "Waiting For Godot."
[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2482887]I just received an email article from Trip Advisor titled "8 Countries Americans Can Visit Right Now". Of interest to me and perhaps some of you guys is that Cambodia was listed as 1 or the 8 countries! Here is a link to the article: [URL]https://www.tripadvisor.com/Articles-l20062-Countries_for_americans_to_visit_now.html.[/URL] And the relevant quote is:
"Cambodia is open to Americans right now, but it's not the easiest or most practical place on our list. You'll only find connecting flightsfrom hubs like Seattle, Dallas, San Francisco, LOS Angeles and New Yorkwith the stop at Incheon International Airport in South Korea.
Cambodia requires travelers to pay a $3,000 deposit upfront to cover any potential coronavirus-related cost. But don't worry, if you test negative for COVID-19 during the mandatory test upon arrival at the airport, you'll only be on the book for $160 of that. More information can be found at [URL]TourismCambodia.com[/URL]. If you're still determined to check Cambodia off your bucket list in 2020, we can't blame you. ".[/QUOTE]I think you missed the most important part -[URL]https://www.tourismcambodia.com/news/localnews/28074/foreigners-to-be-charged-for-c-19-quarantine-tests.htm[/URL] .
Natty, this may change by the time you arrive but currently you still have to self isolate for 14 days at your own accommodation after you arrive if you test negative. If you test positive you will be quarantined at a government designated facility with all the other people who have tested positive to COVID. Wouldn't that be fun!
Anyone pulled the trigger yet and can let us know how they are monitoring the self isolation? Phone app GPS? Tracking device? Random checks in your room? I can see getting a hotel room in the middle of the action and going out to grab food and a girl pretty quickly before anyone even realizes you are gone. I'm assuming self isolation still means you are allowed to go out to buy food and water.
The other factor that is not discussed much is that any travel insurance you have is likely void if your national country has a travel advisory to the country you are traveling to. Heaven forbid if you need medical help in any SE Asia country to begin with.
Natty, as usual you are way too popular and we can't send you a PM.
[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2482887]
Cambodia requires travelers to pay a $3,000 deposit upfront to cover any potential coronavirus-related cost. But don't worry, if you test negative for COVID-19 during the mandatory test upon arrival at the airport, you'll only be on the book for $160 of that.
[/QUOTE]It's $2000 USD now payable into a listed local bank. Cash is recommended as many arrivals have found their card isn't working in the machines.
There are also very strict requirements regarding having negative tests for Covid-19 prior to boarding and arrival.
It depends a lot on which airline you use and which ports you transit through.
Some airlines require tests carried out 72 hours before departure.
Others say 72 hours before arrival. Check what time is the test and the reported result.
You have to provide a shitload of proper forms filled up by doctors on legit letter-head. Must be signed with a blue pen FFS. They have stopped people boarding because the doctor used a black pen and the airline said it wasn't an original form.
I am supposed to return soon to complete a work assignment in PNH and I have the required invitation on government letterhead etc but I am not going until there is some change in the onerous requirements to entry.
For further details to make your nose bleed (and to see the list of requirements) go to the FB site called "Cambodia Work Visa and Permit Group".
[QUOTE=RedKilt;2482996]I am supposed to return soon to complete a work assignment in PNH and I have the required invitation on government letterhead etc but I am not going until there is some change in the onerous requirements to entry.[/QUOTE]Thanks Red for your detailed, informed response. I would like to go, but not if the hurdles are this difficult to arrange. Plus I am informed that if any passenger on the arrival flight tests positive in Phnom Penh, all passengers on the flight will be quarantined in hospital for 14 days. That is a risk I am not willing to take no matter how low its probability considering all the safe guards and protocols in place at the airports. Too bad. I will go back to the waiting room.
[QUOTE=BananaBoi;2482968]Natty, as usual you are way too popular and we can't send you a PM.[/QUOTE]I think the reason my In Box is usually filled to capacity is more a case of laziness than popularity, but in any case, I have deleted a few older messages. What's up?
Natty, you have forgotten perhaps the most important thing besides the over the top entry requirements, a visa. Currently no VOA and if you call the Cambodian embassy in the states you will find (if you can get through) they are not issuing any. Best wait till this nonsense dies down.
[QUOTE=SouthEaster;2483143]Natty, you have forgotten perhaps the most important thing besides the over the top entry requirements, a visa. Currently no VOA and if you call the Cambodian embassy in the states you will find (if you can get through) they are not issuing any. Best wait till this nonsense dies down.[/QUOTE]My interest in a Cambodian only trip began when I received a slick article over the internet from Trip Advisor titled "8 Countries Americans Can Visit Right Now." What bogus bull crap! Trip Advisor must have sent this article out to tens of thousands of people. Good thing I could count on reliable sources here on the ISG and my own good sense. There was no way I was going to book a flight to Cambo-Land without making damn sure it was feasible and a worthwhile undertaking Yes, I am back in the waiting room. I got piles of dough but no broads to spend it on. I don't want to start up with American hookers.
[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2483026]Thanks Red for your detailed, informed response. I would like to go, but not if the hurdles are this difficult to arrange. Plus I am informed that if any passenger on the arrival flight tests positive in Phnom Penh, all passengers on the flight will be quarantined in hospital for 14 days. That is a risk I am not willing to take no matter how low its probability considering all the safe guards and protocols in place at the airports. Too bad. I will go back to the waiting room.[/QUOTE]This YouTube vlogger (Kurtz Ventura TV) documented his travel experience to PP from Germany. There are two videos documenting it. It looks stressful and not worth it for for a tourist.
[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2483305] I got piles of dough but no broads to spend it on. I don't want to start up with American hookers.[/QUOTE]This is the only saving grace that is keeping me going through this. I keep thinking how much money I'm saving by not hobbying for a year or three.
[QUOTE=BananaBoi;2483540]This is the only saving grace that is keeping me going through this. I keep thinking how much money I'm saving by not hobbying for a year or three.[/QUOTE]The only saving grace I have is thinking about what a Lollapalooza tour I am going to have once the doors open again. I am planning a 2. 5-month nonstop sex marathon for my next trip, ha ha which will include Jakarta or Manila, BKK, Pattaya, & Yangon or Phnom (maybe Macau if I hear the saunas re-open).
The one positive thing I learned from Trip Adviser's Fake News event is that there are reasonably priced, short duration flights from South Florida to Phnom Penh with Delta / Korean Air. I hate flying transpacific into Swampy where the immigration line is the slowest in SE Asia. Even MNL's Ninoy Aquino international Airport is more efficient.
I'm heading to PP next week for shopping and the chance to get a fab deal on a 5 star hotel or as close as possible to 5 stars.
Any on the ground reports? The pickings are slim in Siem Reap so I'm looking forward to this trip.
There are no reports from the ground because nobody is there. I am more interested in how you are getting in and how do you avoid the 14 day quarantine?
[QUOTE=Nyezhov;2485586]I'm heading to PP next week for shopping and the chance to get a fab deal on a 5 star hotel or as close as possible to 5 stars.
Any on the ground reports? The pickings are slim in Siem Reap so I'm looking forward to this trip.[/QUOTE]I've had a few trips down to PP the last few weeks and had fun most of the nights. I found the girls on 136 to be hit and miss. But found a great little hottie on 130. The bars are full on both 136 and 130. If you're looking for a great hotel I would suggest Baitong hotel on 282 street. I'm now back in Siem Reap and wondering where to find some action.