Phnom Penh

[QUOTE=Donnylad]Hi there. Will be making my first trip in September. Realise it will be the rainy season, so would appreciate it if anyone could advise whether this makes a big difference regarding the ladies? More importantly, I presume all the prices in these reports refer to US $? Also, I presume the payments to the girls are in Riels and not actually in US$? If not, is it because they don't accept Riels or that the price goes up if they are paid in local currency? Does this also apply to all other businesses? On a slightly irrevelant note, do all departure taxes and visa fees have to be in US$ or do they accept Riels?

Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks,

Donnylad[/QUOTE]


It is worth noting that no distinction is made between dollars and riels in Cambo... you go to the supermarket and both prices come up on the register, often you will get change in a mixture of both... there is a standard exchange rate that everybody just knows - in places with cash registers $1 = 3950 Riels, for everyone else, $1 = 4000 Riels. The dollar is in all ways that matter the national currency and the Riel is simply a proxy for it. Unlike places like Vietnam, you don't get a worse deal negotiating in dollars.

The exchange rate may have changed...

Basically, they don't have coins. U.S. paper money is the national currency, and Riels are used to make change on a dollar. 1000 Reils = 25 cents.

The best advice is to have U.S. currency in small bills. Breaking a $100 U.S. is quite difficult except at banks. It's good to have U.S. $1s, $5s, and $20s.

And the "on the street" rate is about 4080 more or less (money changers)

4000:1 is the "normal" number - get about $20 in Riel and use them to save maybe 2%

WORD OF WARNING - Every bill must have no rips tears or nicks. Even a small wear on the face of a $1 is enough to have them NOT TAKE IT. I took "new" bills with me and had no problems, but in my wallet, I had 2 with slight nicks - I had to bring those home and spend them later. For the thickness of the pile, you are better off to have nothing larger than $5 (except for the $20 to enter at the airport). Takes up a bit more room, but no shortchanging whatever if you pay in $1 bills or 1+5. Riel is worthless outside cambo except as things to give nieces and grandkids.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. As a Brit, it is a slight inconvenience to have take US$. I'm presuming here that all ATMS only dispense Riels? I'm also presuming from all your comments, that people will accept Riels in any situation, but it is more cumbersome to carry the notes around?

Cheers,

Donnylad

[QUOTE=Donnylad]Thanks for all the feedback guys. As a Brit, it is a slight inconvenience to have take US$. I'm presuming here that all ATMS only dispense Riels? I'm also presuming from all your comments, that people will accept Riels in any situation, but it is more cumbersome to carry the notes around?

Cheers,

Donnylad[/QUOTE]

ATMs dispense U.S. dollars. There's not enough room in an ATM cash cassette to hold enough Riels to be of any use. But good luck finding ATMs. There might be a couple of dozen of them in the whole country. Maybe 3 or 4 in Siem Reap, maybe a dozen of them in PP, all of these will be in front of Banks.

[QUOTE=Member #2041]ATMs dispense U.S. dollars. There's not enough room in an ATM cash cassette to hold enough Riels to be of any use. But good luck finding ATMs. There might be a couple of dozen of them in the whole country. Maybe 3 or 4 in Siem Reap, maybe a dozen of them in PP, all of these will be in front of Banks.[/QUOTE]

Not quite the case in Phnom Penh. The last reliable count I saw on ATM's was approaching 40 across the (relatively small) city. There are ATM's not only at major banks but also at Caltex petrol stations, along the Riverside and also at major shopping centres. You are never far from cash in PP these days provided you've got funds available in your account!

[QUOTE=Member #2041]ATMs dispense U.S. dollars. There's not enough room in an ATM cash cassette to hold enough Riels to be of any use. But good luck finding ATMs. There might be a couple of dozen of them in the whole country. Maybe 3 or 4 in Siem Reap, maybe a dozen of them in PP, all of these will be in front of Banks.[/QUOTE]Please do a search for my previous posts which offer some up-to-date and accurate information relating to ATMs in Phnom Penh.

Any Brit travelling abroad, including Cambodia, should get themselves a bank account with Nationwide to obtain the very best of deals for foreign currencies.

Hawk

Thanks yet again. Well, that does make things easier. It's the first time I've come across a country whose ATM's don't dispense their own currency!!

Cheers,

Donnylad

I've been in china a while and just know found a internet cafe with no censorship. regarding the local scene, I was including thailand etc. and the time period was in the early 1980"s before aids was in sea. Info came from me talking to locals who speak at least some english, mainly in mae sai, tachilik and bangkok in mid 1990's. while it is true the whites and local monger scene is seperate, the whites begain there bbbj in mass after 2002 or so. locals don't go in for that, just still a quick fuck and no tip.

I'm going to be in Phnom Penh from June 22 through 26. It will be my first time in Cambodia, but I've been to other parts of SE Asia. I'd like to find a girl friendly hotel that costs under $50 USD a night. I know people have recommended Flamingo's, but I'd like to have a bath tub or at least an enclosed shower area in the bathroom. I don't like the whole bathroom getting wet when I shower. I read somewhere that Flamingo's doesn't have the bath tub/shower stall arrangement. Also, I'm a bit leery after seeing several posts about theft being an issue there.

Any recommendations? Thanks for the advice.

Lots of PP stuff here today-good.
Yes,there are heaps of ATMs now.
And to go in september-great.Apparently PP ot mian barang right now and there will still be no barang in september-beauty=cheap prices and willing women.
Quality is declining though as more women find western boyfriends/sponsors.
I know this as my very desirable girlfriend is another who has gone straight.
I will be in PP next week and i can provide a birds eye view of cambodia in the wet season.
I expect that things will be hot and sticky for me and the weather will be like that as well.

[QUOTE=Member #1344]I'm going to be in Phnom Penh from June 22 through 26. It will be my first time in Cambodia, but I've been to other parts of SE Asia. I'd like to find a girl friendly hotel that costs under $50 USD a night. I know people have recommended Flamingo's, but I'd like to have a bath tub or at least an enclosed shower area in the bathroom. I don't like the whole bathroom getting wet when I shower. I read somewhere that Flamingo's doesn't have the bath tub/shower stall arrangement. Also, I'm a bit leery after seeing several posts about theft being an issue there.

Any recommendations? Thanks for the advice.[/QUOTE]Ro member #1344

Try the ASIA hotel the delux room have bath tub room cost $15-25 usd gf hotel and the manger ask me if I want girl for LT 35 usd but I like to go out and find my own , they also offer free pick up form the airport I have post info a few month ago do a search .

Fast eddie 48

[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48]Ro member #1344

Try the ASIA hotel the delux room have bath tub room cost $15-25 usd gf hotel.

Fast eddie 48[/QUOTE]Small add. Umm. The ASIA rooms are impeccably white and clean for the price and although it does have a bathtub. No shower curtain in my room or the other room I looked at. Bathroom floor will get wet. However they place an extra thick towel for bathroom mat so my room itself is never wet. Very comfy and clean. Big Luck ($25) has the shower curtains and better views but facilities aren't as new as Asia. More home feel. (older model AC's)

I stayed here twice, only $10, pool table on first floor, which is widewith a nice grand staircase. Alas it is run down, but the rooms are big, clean and there is hot water. Yeah the street is dark at night but it is safe. Lots of drivers sleepthere/hang out all night, Also on 172 is GThe Last Home Guest Hoise. Charming looking with be-fast on the sidewalk in the am!

Stay on scond floor (everywhere! ), I was on 4th and the room across from ours was set on fire by a drunk at 4 am! Thought I'd die, fire dept keystone cops-ish!

But I went back!

Search the classifieds for my recon a great driver on this street.

Went to Chip Lay next to Walkabout. Thanks Prince Harry for the directions and advice. Went straight to the 5th floor and into the room with the fishbowl. About 30+ girls in the late afternoon there. Picked # 39, Sra.

Went to a room down the hall with her. Room ok for ST. Nothing great. Showered in the bathroom together. Then went to the bed. Went straight for the sex, no massage. Sra is about 5'7" and 33Bs. Doesn't speak english but a couple of words. But she is very nice looking.

Get into the bed and she strats to kiss me and work her way down to sucking on my nipples. Then on down for a bbbj until I was hard. Not any great skills, just enough to get me up.

Then she capped me and CG for about 5 - 10 minutes before she did CG and sucking on my nipples back and forth at the same time. Then to mish, flipped her over for doggie, back to CG, and then back to mish until I came.

I am pretty sure she came 3 times. I asked her and she said yes because after I came she had me continue pumping for a few more minutes and felt her tremble this time.

Tried to talk a little, cuddled, and then showered again. Very good GFE. I would repeat. Gave her $20 and the massage was $4.