Phnom Penh

[QUOTE=Wendella].....The taxi drivers outside Flamingo, btw, ask for $8 to take you to the airport, which is the price the hotel will quote you. ....[/QUOTE]

Hi Wendella,

The argument I've heard in the past, from various hoteliers, is that the higher price is justifiable as they have full insurance cover and the cheap ones probably do not. Is this totally true, I don't know, but it makes me think twice before opting for the cheapest option around. Quite strange when you consider that I'll spend the majority of my trip on the back of a motobike where there is zero insurance and much more insecurity!!!

Hawk

[QUOTE=NanaHawk]Hi Wendella,

The argument I've heard in the past, from various hoteliers, is that the higher price is justifiable as they have full insurance cover and the cheap ones probably do not. Is this totally true, I don't know, but it makes me think twice before opting for the cheapest option around. Quite strange when you consider that I'll spend the majority of my trip on the back of a motobike where there is zero insurance and much more insecurity!!!

Hawk[/QUOTE]There is no such thing as insurance cover for taxis. In fact, almost everything in Cambodia is not insured because most people are not aware of its importance and even if they do, they cannot afford to pay the premium. Insurance companies only started offering their polices in Cambodia two or three years back and most of policyholders are still Western educated Cambodians and big foreign businesses. Even the car rented from tour agencies are not insured. EVEN MOST CARS ON THE STREET ARE NOT INSURED. No Cambodian motodup can afford to buy insurance coverage and will not bother to even if they can.

And FYI, just like insurance coverage, most electronics sold in Cambodia are sold without any kind of warranty. If the shop ever entertain your complaints, it is out of sheer goodwill or the desire to uphold whatever reputation they may have among its customers and NOT BECAUSE they are legally and contractually bound to. In Cambodia, it is caveat emptor. From the moment you handed over your money.

AtLUCKY FELLOW

There is no such thing as a non girl-friendly hotel in Phnom Penh. From luxury Cambodiana, InterCon to budget no-star guesthouses, I have never heard of any cases of guests being prohibited from bringing any guests, female or male, to their room and my friends and I have been to many of them. Unless there are some hotels that are operated and funded by NGOs, which I didn; t know of, and can afford to operate at a loss, no hotels in Phnom Penh can afford to or risk gaining a reputation for being difficult as most visitors to Phnom Penh are mongers and lonely businessmen who almost always got lonely at night.

I'm sorry if this question might deviate from the norm here, but when I go to Bangkok, I always find that good tasty food is the perfect prelude to a nice night out. My last trip to PP was a bit below par because I stayed at the Walkabout and their food was very much catered to the Western appetite. When I ventured out to the street around the Walkabout, I noticed that the food being served was unrecognizable and therefore a bit of a turn-off. Is there any hotel that is either in close proximity to good food or has a good kitchen that churns out tasty Khmer food?
Or is there such a thing as good Khmer food? Or did the Khmer Rouge destroyed good food as well?

[QUOTE=NanaHawk]Hi Wendella,

The argument I've heard in the past, from various hoteliers, is that the higher price is justifiable as they have full insurance cover and the cheap ones probably do not. Is this totally true, I don't know, but it makes me think twice before opting for the cheapest option around. Quite strange when you consider that I'll spend the majority of my trip on the back of a motobike where there is zero insurance and much more insecurity!!!

Hawk[/QUOTE]

Yeah I have no idea, that didn't occur to me. Though I have to say, I'd have doubts they have real auto insurance.

it's why I use a motion sensor lock and a cable one, too.

security is a "bit lacking" - aside from the front desk, what security is there at hotels?

spaceman - there are some acceptable Khmer restaurants over on street 19 north of street 172 on the corners of the intersection - maybe a couple of blocks. English menu, or "point and ask" works well. Prices are a bit better in Riel than $$ (but not much - the difference between 4060 and 4000:1)

[QUOTE=AlLostInSpace13]. Is there any hotel that is either in close proximity to good food or has a good kitchen that churns out tasty Khmer food?
Or is there such a thing as good Khmer food? Or did the Khmer Rouge destroyed good food as well?[/QUOTE]I usually eat on the riverfront at a different place each meal. Also try Boeung Kak lake, the moto drivers usually know the area that tourists go.Lots of cheap places.

Both areas cater to all tastes, including Khmer food, Vietnamese, Western, ect.

[QUOTE=AlLostInSpace13] Is there any hotel that is either in close proximity to good food or has a good kitchen that churns out tasty Khmer food?
Or is there such a thing as good Khmer food? Or did the Khmer Rouge destroyed good food as well?[/QUOTE]
Surprised that you are really finding this a problem. There are many many places in PP that serve up great K grub. For upscale try the Lemon Grass I think it is on 136 or just one over from Sharky's, but it is very expensive for Cambodian standards.
I would recommend trying the local pot lucks down by the Central Market. You may squirm at the conditions and enviornment, but the food is very good both in flavor and value. In addition go outside the fold and experiment.
Cheers
Hummer

[QUOTE=AlLostInSpace13] Is there any hotel that is either in close proximity to good food or has a good kitchen that churns out tasty Khmer food?
Or is there such a thing as good Khmer food? Or did the Khmer Rouge destroyed good food as well?[/QUOTE]
Hi Al,

the best Khmer food has always been available at the Pon Lok Restaurant on Sisowath Quay and there are many hotels along that stretch. The food covers all tastes, and some that I struggle to see anyone having, and it has a great location with the option of 'balcony' seating with view over Tonle Sap. The restaurant is popular with all sorts of people from locally rich Khmers to tour groups and the service is generally very attentive due to the large number of staff.
I would always recommend someone to at least try the food here as, even if you might not like what is on offer, you can be sure that it is cooked well.

Hawk

I tend to favor "Happy Herb Pizza" myself. :)

[QUOTE=Dinghy]I tend to favor "Happy Herb Pizza" myself. :)[/QUOTE]A Thai newspaper reported that the Cambodian government had stopped this place selling happy herb pizza, has anyone checked this out.

[QUOTE=Dinghy]I tend to favor "Happy Herb Pizza" myself. :)[/QUOTE]

Yes Dinghy I agree,but I must say one should be very careful with this delight.
It is available in level by level, and I choose the top tier. Needless to say after several pieces and a beer I was hammered for 24hrs straight.Seriously, and I have a HIGH tollerance. I fucked the Jewel in every position and orfice for about 3 hours w/o cumming, but the surreality of the experience was unlike any other. Just know you will not cum nor will you just pop up like a Jack in the box. With some coaxing,relaxing, and most of all a willing girl that will not go dry in such a marathon you will arrive in nirvana and forever be the jack in the BOX.
Be sure the girl must be able to finish or else your fucked and sleeping with issues.

I find Khmer food ordinary compared to thai,khmers have lok lak,sour soups and amok.

They don't like coriander or fish sauce and they are not foodies like thais,which is a good thing i think.Thais would rather die of starvation than eat non thai food.
I would suggest avoiding ponlok at all times,they have a reputation for padding the bill and indeeed they ripped us roayally when a group of us went there recently.
For much the same price one can eat at the beautiful bopha/titanic,the only place actually on the river, opposite street 108.

For good western food in a lovely bar try the new cadillac bar on the riverside.Soon to open is bill and bobs guesthouse and bar with genuine southern food and a spa on the roof.

Just opened is the new boutique hotel the quay with stunning,expensive rooms and a small pool and bar on the roof-and no other drinkers!

OK value in the happy hour.

We are off to snowies tomorrow night,still PPs best bar mainly because no one can find it!

Hi folks,

Back in PP in few days, I would like to check out either Mikado and Cyrcee and Sophie of course.

Any uptodate on these places?

Are they still closed?

And ST is always available on the premises or you have to take girls out?

Thanks for your kind cooperation.

Mikado-gone

Sophie-gone

LCC-only takeouts,st hotel around the corner-total damage $24

[QUOTE=Phil Istine]Mikado-gone

Sophie-gone

LCC-only takeouts,st hotel around the corner-total damage $24[/QUOTE]There are lots of bars opening all the time in PP, check a couple out.