Phnom Penh

[QUOTE=Phil Istine; 1135317]Crikey!

Only a dollar to go from 51 to sharkeys or martinis-how tight are some of you guys?

Fair go!

Fuel is expensive as is the cost of living in Cambodia.

Much as I dislike most tuk tuks I believe in helping them out with at least two bucks or more.

The money should be shared around not just with working girls and bar owners.

Looking after transport providers helps ensure ones own safety as well. [/QUOTE]I'll help them out when they stop harassing me every 5 seconds when I'm just walking down the street.

Hey fellow mongers,

Has anyone been to the new Pontoon bar? Is it just a meeting place for expats? Or is there some action to be had?

Spaceman

Any advice for a massage saloon with young girls offering some extras?

2 years ago it was a 1. 00 for motorbikes in and around town, including Martinis from the Walk-About.

Around 1. 50 for a tuk tuk, but you could get it for a dollar.

It's not so much the price as the principle, I don't like feeling like a chump for tipping or paying to much. Honestly majority of the drivers are pests, and should just be happy to have our business.

If I tip to much, then I start thinking about that driver talking to his friends over a beer or two of how this stupid farang gave him a $$$ tip. That starts all of them asking or expecting larger tips, thus the down hill slide.

I can handle being seen as a fair and nice guy for giving a decent tip, but the worst case (for me) is paying to much and being seen as a chump. Which again (my opinion) is what the driver will think of you. AKA sucked another one!

Pay the 1. 00 or 1. 50 for a straight forward ride at a decent hour, and maybe 1. 50 and 2. 00 for rides late at night / raining or off the beaten track side trips. Of course make sure of the fair before hand, if not happy there's always another driver 5 feet away.

Just arrived in PP and my limited experience with the moto drivers is this: I have gone to Martinis's from 51, and back, Russian market, casino, Street 104. Etc, and it appears pretty simple. I offer them $1 (whis seems fair) , if they refuse (none eventually did) , I simply walk to the next one an offer the same. Their is no unity among these guys, this simple manuver does the trick. Indeed, I was coming out of the Heart of D last night and a fist fight nearly broke out between two drivers over a fare.

Also, there was an accident and one moto took off. The police showed up and it was like a Max Sennet slapstick comedy. Every officer going the wrong way. Hilarious.

I can understand how the drivers can become a nuisance, but its there livelyhood. They, and the Cambodian men, appear to be very dissimialar to the Thai men. The Thai men barely tolerate your presence. I talked with a few moto drivers and there were some interesing characters.

Will give a newbie report on my initial impression in a few day, have not slept much since I have been here.

[QUOTE=Mosquito2002; 1135766]2 years ago it was a 1. 00 for motorbikes in and around town, including Martinis from the Walk-About.

Around 1. 50 for a tuk tuk, but you could get it for a dollar.

It's not so much the price as the principle, I don't like feeling like a chump for tipping or paying to much. Honestly majority of the drivers are pests, and should just be happy to have our business.

If I tip to much, then I start thinking about that driver talking to his friends over a beer or two of how this stupid farang gave him a $$$ tip. That starts all of them asking or expecting larger tips, thus the down hill slide.

I can handle being seen as a fair and nice guy for giving a decent tip, but the worst case (for me) is paying to much and being seen as a chump. Which again (my opinion) is what the driver will think of you. AKA sucked another one!

Pay the 1. 00 or 1. 50 for a straight forward ride at a decent hour, and maybe 1. 50 and 2. 00 for rides late at night / raining or off the beaten track side trips. Of course make sure of the fair before hand, if not happy there's always another driver 5 feet away. [/QUOTE]

Newbie observation:

Quite frankly, I like it. Basic room (Standard $25) which is clean, people are very friendly, free breakfast (albeit not much) and, most of all, location. It seems "Heart of Darkness" is the last stop for many barhoppers (seen Martini's almost emply out Sunday night at 1 am with most going to HD).

I am sure if I scowered the net I could find something better but, as one individual advised when I was asking for info, a very good place for a newbie to stay.

Dear Mongerers,

I'm in Phnom Penh for the next few weeks on an infrastructure project and I was wondering if the legendary Sophie's is still there? Some sources says its closed, and since I don't know the address, any info would be greatly appreciated.

[QUOTE=Johnny42; 1136513]Dear Mongerers,

I'm in Phnom Penh for the next few weeks on an infrastructure project and I was wondering if the legendary Sophie's is still there? Some sources says its closed, and since I don't know the address, any info would be greatly appreciated. [/QUOTE]You are about 3 and a half years to late.

General observations from a newbie:

Walkabout Hotel: I am remined of the bar scene in the original Star Wars movie. What a cast of characiers (present company included). About 70% of the women are emaciated crack working girls. However, the truth be told, I am amazed at the gems that would stroll in from time to time. The decor is also second to none. For example, I thougt the bar stools were part of some avante garde look. Then I noticed some were not split down the middle. Is a good place to meet expats and get information. Interesting, had breakfast there one morning and they made me pay ahead of time. Won't eat there again. Besides, too many good Asia resteraunts near.

Bars on 104 and 136. Acutally not bad. Can find an occasional gem. My only bad experience was in "69" Bar. Went there the first night, presented myself as a gentleman, tipped appropriately. Gals were, all in all friendly. However, last night I met one of the rudest bartenders (gal) in my life. Asked her to put a twist of lime in my rum / coke and she acted as if I asked for her first born. She literally threw a bag of limes on the bar and said: "ge it yourself." Told her what she could do with the drink and walked out. On the way out two of the girls apologiized or her and said: "she always like that, me don't know why?" Did not put much a damper on the evening, just found another bar.

Sharkys: Appears to be more of a young mans game here. An older guy like me is usually approached by a member of the second string.

Martinis: The ultimate meat market. Met one in here with huge tits my first night. Great gal. Problem, as sometimes occurs, she was there a few nights later, however, I was in the mood for something different. Difficult, and somewhat uncomfortable time ditching her.

Heart of Darkness: Again, somewhat more of a younger mans game, but not as profoundly so as Sharkys.

Will be visiting a few of the high end places the next few nights.

Finally,"tuk-tuks" here are different than in the Philippines. Here they are almost stagecoach like, with the carriage seperate from the driver. Just put that in here in case my critic is reading this.

Also apologiize for any misspelling, this keyboard at the hotel computer is driving me nuts.

Nice report Henry. I'll be in PP next month. Your report has wetted my already wetted apatite. Haven't been there for a year and it'll be my third visit.

Last time I was there I enjoyed Candy Bar on 136 and like the eateries along the river there too. What's Candy like these days? Same as?

Okay. How does this sound for my first day plan. I arrive from Europe at 9 am in PP. Obviously I'll be as toey as anything, somewhat travel weary and looking for immediate gratification. So by the time I clear customs and get a taxi downtown it'll only be about 10. 30 am. Still early. My thoughts are that I should go straight to Candy Bar and book a room there. I know the pickings will probably be a bit rank at that hour but whatever. So I get my rocks off with who's ever available then catch up on some sleep. I wake up again. Whenever and you guessed it, I just go down and see what's available. Same thing. Wake up again.

Maybe next night I book into a hotel so I can expand my horizons.

For some nights, I don't mind spending a bit more. River 108 looks good Agoda. Anyone have any reports on it. I emailed reservations who confirmed I can bring guests back to the room. Nice.

[QUOTE=Henryv;1137104]General observations from a newbie:[/QUOTE]Thanks for the report. Please, keep them coming.

[QUOTE=Henryv; 1137104]General observations from a newbie:

Walkabout Hotel: had breakfast there one morning and they made me pay ahead of time. Won't eat there again. [/QUOTE]Not just breakfast, at WA the food deal is: pay first, food after. Their food isn't the best, but it's convenient and 7/24.

Try the Saint Tropez lounge, which is a stone's throw from WA. Also I heard that the Pontoon bar is opened across from Heart of Darkness. Also Riverhouse bar / lounge / disco never disappoints.

Pick up a copy of the Nightlife guide at the Flamingos frontdesk for the most up-to-date list of places to visit.

There's a waitress at Flamingos that I really dig. I guess you already know which one. .

Spaceman.

Ps. I envey you.

I am an old hand now in PP and have been out and about lately.

Walkabou is great value, the pay first policy makes sense.

If one paid first in the hostess bars then a lot of money would be saved.

Candy bar still pads the bills, beware.

Walkabou is the best value in town, still.

Met some lovely keen young girls there recently.

I speak pretty good khmer and I talk to the girls openly.

Met a pair in the WA the other morning, one Ok the other very nice.

The Ok one said I love to suck cock and eat pussy with my friend. 15 bucks each.

Went back to find them later, no have.

Another lovely girl with huge tits there as well.

Bars generally disappointing but I have high expectations, I only like beautiful tall ones.

The cyrcee was shocking the other night, ten girls and not one approached me.

They werent flash anyway.

Old banana bar around the corner was better.

Went for a massage at a crappy khmer place off mao tse tung, lovely young girl, terrible room, not bad for $20 bucks though.

Better was at a flash massage place on 278 just before elsewhere, paid for the top of the line body scrub.

Little na with big tits started playing with the balls and without input from me did the twenty minute balls massage and hand job-excellent.

And she was happy with a twenty dollar tip.

I'm bored with the bar girls.

Candy is like most, hit or miss. But for the most part I do like it a little more because they seem to have more pickable gals. It is also larger than some of the other places so there is a larger selection of gals. Place is big enough so if a gal comes up that you do not like it is easier to extricate yourself (that is not self abuse).

Saw a stunning ladyboy in there, not into, but he / she / it was a looker,

[QUOTE=TrickyTrevor; 1137280]Nice report Henry. I'll be in PP next month. Your report has wetted my already wetted apatite. Haven't been there for a year and it'll be my third visit.

Last time I was there I enjoyed Candy Bar on 136 and like the eateries along the river there too. What's Candy like these days? Same as?

Okay. How does this sound for my first day plan. I arrive from Europe at 9 am in PP. Obviously I'll be as toey as anything, somewhat travel weary and looking for immediate gratification. So by the time I clear customs and get a taxi downtown it'll only be about 10. 30 am. Still early. My thoughts are that I should go straight to Candy Bar and book a room there. I know the pickings will probably be a bit rank at that hour but whatever. So I get my rocks off with who's ever available then catch up on some sleep. I wake up again. Whenever and you guessed it, I just go down and see what's available. Same thing. Wake up again.

Maybe next night I book into a hotel so I can expand my horizons.

For some nights, I don't mind spending a bit more. River 108 looks good Agoda. Anyone have any reports on it. I emailed reservations who confirmed I can bring guests back to the room. Nice. [/QUOTE]

Respectfully disagree on paying for food before it is served. They probably do this to avoid the drunk walking out.

Yes, I have seen a number of girls in WA with big tits, with a stomach to match. It seems the really good looking ones snap up a patron real quick. For example, I have seen a few great looking gals, alone, however, they charge food to their immediate boyfriends room.

Where exactly is Cyrcee?

[QUOTE=Phil Istine; 1137623]I am an old hand now in PP and have been out and about lately.

Walkabou is great value, the pay first policy makes sense.

If one paid first in the hostess bars then a lot of money would be saved.

Candy bar still pads the bills, beware.

Walkabou is the best value in town, still.

Met some lovely keen young girls there recently.

I speak pretty good khmer and I talk to the girls openly.

Met a pair in the WA the other morning, one Ok the other very nice.

The Ok one said I love to suck cock and eat pussy with my friend. 15 bucks each.

Went back to find them later, no have.

Another lovely girl with huge tits there as well.

Bars generally disappointing but I have high expectations, I only like beautiful tall ones.

The cyrcee was shocking the other night, ten girls and not one approached me.

They werent flash anyway.

Old banana bar around the corner was better.

Went for a massage at a crappy khmer place off mao tse tung, lovely young girl, terrible room, not bad for $20 bucks though.

Better was at a flash massage place on 278 just before elsewhere, paid for the top of the line body scrub.

Little na with big tits started playing with the balls and without input from me did the twenty minute balls massage and hand job-excellent.

And she was happy with a twenty dollar tip.

I'm bored with the bar girls. [/QUOTE]