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Phnom Penh / Siam Reap ( Cambodia )- Massage / Sauna / Places To Visit (Compiled)

Guest zach.c84

By Guest zach.c84
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Guest zach.c84

Guest zach.c84

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there is a massage near to the party scene, pretty decent massage though i didnt opt for the happy ending.

 

i think its blue boy or something like that?

 

It's called Blue Hatha Khmer

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tp85 Newbie

tp85

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How is Siem Reap compared to Ho Chi Minh? Would both cities feel similar?

Siem Reap is more like an oversized village, but HCM like a big city with lots of flashing lights everywhere.  People are friendly in both, but Siem Reap has more tourists around.  District 1 of HCM feels much more developed than Siem Reap. 

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takeitoff Contributor

takeitoff

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I think Siem Reap has an artificial feeling. It's just a place for tourists, you hardly feel anything local there.  The main area (Old market and around) feels like a Khmer version of Khao San, except that there are some really nice restaurants/bars thrown in the midst of the action. It's still a nice place to visit, but probably for 3-4 days at the most.

 

The following are just my opinions. Actually I do not think that the people in Saigon were scheming, other than some taxi drivers. In fact, I thought the Cambodians were trying harder to separate my cash from me, except that their motive could be seen through quite easily. However, for Vietnam the further north you go, things start to change. The touts and scam artists are still present, but except that here they are much more aggressive and don't take no for an answer. In the south, you will get left alone if you show no interest or say no.

 

But this filipino woman tried her luck scamming me at Pham Ngu Lao in Saigon, but most people should have already known that the filipino card game scam has made its way to Vietnam years back, and even Cambodia more recently. Anyway she is not local so it didn't have any negative impact on my impression of the south Vietnamese people.

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azimuth Newbie

azimuth

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I think Siem Reap has an artificial feeling. It's just a place for tourists, you hardly feel anything local there.  The main area (Old market and around) feels like a Khmer version of Khao San, except that there are some really nice restaurants/bars thrown in the midst of the action. It's still a nice place to visit, but probably for 3-4 days at the most.

 

The following are just my opinions. Actually I do not think that the people in Saigon were scheming, other than some taxi drivers. In fact, I thought the Cambodians were trying harder to separate my cash from me, except that their motive could be seen through quite easily. However, for Vietnam the further north you go, things start to change. The touts and scam artists are still present, but except that here they are much more aggressive and don't take no for an answer. In the south, you will get left alone if you show no interest or say no.

 

But this filipino woman tried her luck scamming me at Pham Ngu Lao in Saigon, but most people should have already known that the filipino card game scam has made its way to Vietnam years back, and even Cambodia more recently. Anyway she is not local so it didn't have any negative impact on my impression of the south Vietnamese people.

 

Yeah. I guess there are always people trying to help you spend money especially if you are visiting poorer countries. Just need to be alert and have knowledge of what's going on. I always try not to bring out excessive amount of cash with me so the only thing you can lose is only what's left in your wallet technically. :-)

 

If you have be scammed, take it positively and treat is as lesson learnt.

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takeitoff Contributor

takeitoff

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Yeah. I guess there are always people trying to help you spend money especially if you are visiting poorer countries. Just need to be alert and have knowledge of what's going on. I always try not to bring out excessive amount of cash with me so the only thing you can lose is only what's left in your wallet technically. :-)

 

If you have be scammed, take it positively and treat is as lesson learnt.

 

Well but some of the more elaborate scams involve threats, and people have reported to have been escorted to ATMs to withdraw cash. And if you don't have an ATM card, good luck. This is why even if you don't keep much cash on you it doesn't mean that you won't lose much. It does help with petty theft, but in a scam it's more than that.

 

That's why I strongly believe that the best way to remain safe is to remain in public eye. If you want to meet some locals, by all means go ahead, but don't let them make the choice of where you should go. And also read up on all the reported scams that have happened there. Don't just rely on guidebooks because scams evolve much faster than the rate new editions get published.

Edited by takeitoff
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charvo87 Newbie

charvo87

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I have a question - are you able to get Cambodia riel in Singapore? Or is it better to bring USD there?

Well. You cant get any riel in any money changer internationally. Yoi need to bring USD over, they accept USD, and instead they will have signboards everywhere or you can ask the owners when buying things how much riels to one USD. The rates might differ from place to place and shops to shops. However, if you have riels as change when after each transactions, remember ONLY to bring USD back cause yiu can go money chnager and change. You need to spend all riels inside cambodia otherwise there will be no money changer outside cambodia will accept riels. Unless you have a hobby of collecting money which I did. Smooth trip and good luck.

Edited by charvo87
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miles Enthusiast

miles

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Well. You cant get any riel in any money changer internationally. Yoi need to bring USD over, they accept USD, and instead they will have signboards everywhere or you can ask the owners when buying things how much riels to one USD. The rates might differ from place to place and shops to shops. However, if you have riels as change when after each transactions, remember ONLY to bring USD back cause yiu can go money chnager and change. You need to spend all riels inside cambodia otherwise there will be no money changer outside cambodia will accept riels. Unless you have a hobby of collecting money which I did. Smooth trip and good luck.

Thanks Charvo87! :)

running, cycling and yoga. 

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charvo87 Newbie

charvo87

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Thanks Charvo87! :)

Welcome. Find it very ulu and poor and backwards. Once had dinner at roadside stall, there are poor kids begging you for money throughout entire meal. Once you stand up and about to leave, when you hadn't took any step they immediately pick up your leftover and eat just right in front of you.

Quite peaceful environment though. Love those ancient building and monuments and temples.

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Guest benjc

Guest benjc

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Dear all

 

I'm heading to Cambodia, both Phnom Penh and Siam Reap from 25 to 30 April 2014.

Currently I will be traveling alone. I wouldn't mind some good company.

 

I've arranged to put up at Golden Banana in Siam Reap. I have plans to explore Angkor Watt.

And some around the area.

 

Hear from you guys

 

Regards,

Ben

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bmv85 Newbie

bmv85

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ok TS pardon me for hijacking ur thread.

 

heading to phnom penh (1 night) and siem reap (2 nights) from 23-26 Aug.

 

accommodation booked so if anyone wants to take up the additional bed space drop me a message and we'll see how it goes from there.

 

cheers.

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bmv85 Newbie

bmv85

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Bring USD and spend all RIEL before you leave. At least 50USD for departure tax. Mosquitoe repellent.

yea that's the plan abt currency. wth.. the departure tax is that much?

 

 

Enjoy Cambodia and don't forget to try the magic mushroom pizza

oh yes i hear abt the magical food. lol

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charvo87 Newbie

charvo87

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yea that's the plan abt currency. wth.. the departure tax is that much?

I rmb roughly around 30 plus 40. Just be safe 50 usd.

The tix into angkor wat and the surrounding angkors 2 or 3 days pass already usd 40 or 50 liao.

Makan at tourist also not that cheap either.

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gohippo Newbie

gohippo

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Just came back from Siem Reap and it would be good for me to share some information to those who are interested to go one day.

 

I would rate Siem Reap as a tourist-safe and tourist-friendly city. Despite going there as a solo traveller, I feel very much welcomed by their warm hospitality and smile. The accommodation is relatively cheap with some guesthouses (like small hotel) will charged as low as few dollars. It's basic and clean. I stayed at a hotel which costs me less than USD$ 20 a night including breakfast, really 5-star service, I couldn't really ask more for the price I paid.

 

The entrance fee to visit ancient ruin temples for 1-day and 3-day pass is USD$20 and USD$40 respectively. To better understand the history and significance of the temples, hire a tour guide as they are highly knowledgeable and will make your visit more meaningful and memorable.

 

Food is fantastic. Hotels, streetfood and restaurants offer great varieties of Khmer dishes. Food is everywhere at town area on average USD$1 to 5 per meal. Not too expensive, with choices range from western to chinese and indian food as well. Beer and liquor are very cheap. You can hire tuk-tuk (motorcycle taxi) or private car to bring you around the city and places of interest.

 

And for currency wise, don't bother to exchange any Riel (Cambodia currency), it's basically worthless and not usable out of Cambodia. In fact, many locals are also using USD, it's widely acceptable everywhere you go. I don't recall paying any departure tax as mentioned here, so I'm not sure if this tax is applicable for certain nationalities only.

 

If anyone needs more information, feel me to pm me.

Edited by gohippo
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Aces87 Newbie

Aces87

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I went there in June 2013, going there again this Aug 2014. I feel that the place is peaceful and eyeopening. Stayed at my Tuk Tuk driver house for one night and met his family. The kids were adorable. There is no toilet, the field outside is their toilet. But they got access to water pump for their home. Oh well its only for a night. The next morning went back to hotel to clean myself. I was backpacking so I was alone. Nothing happen to me.

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tic-toc Community Regular

tic-toc

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I love Siem Reap. In fact, I left my heart there a month ago. I will always go back.  My next trip will be March 2015. 

Did not have the same feeling for Phnom Penh though.....

If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.

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tic-toc Community Regular

tic-toc

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I don't recall paying any departure tax as mentioned here, so I'm not sure if this tax is applicable for certain nationalities only.

 

 

Me too, I never paid any departure tax in my both visits to Cambodia.

If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.

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tic-toc Community Regular

tic-toc

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Anyone who needs to book a whole-day tuk tuk driver in Siem Reap?  I can recommend the one whom I used before. Very reliable and gay friendly. He can bring you to the gay saunas and pubs. 

If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.

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Guest christophemorestin

Guest christophemorestin

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Erafinantseeringud mingit probleemi.

Tahad saada krediiti ummikust, mis põhjustab pangad, mida taotluse tagasilükkamist failid, mida soovite laenuvõtjad saavad laenu rakendamiseks oma projekte teevad tööd; . Ehitus majade üürimine või korter jne ...... House Ostu Credit - Säästud - Vastastikune on märkimisväärne kapitali võib anda € 5,000 kuni € 25.500.000 ... kõik inimesed on rahalistes vajadus või inimestele, kes soovivad saada laenu lühikese aja jooksul. Mis intressimäär on 1,3% ja 3% sõltuvalt summa. Täpsema informatsiooni saamiseks võtke meiega ühendust: christophemorestin5@gmail.com

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Guest MARIO

Guest MARIO

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On 1/6/2013 at 5:19 PM, sky1985 said:

Siem reap is cool. Always wanted to go but not many r interested

Ciao

Sei un commerciante o di negoziazione; 

giovane imprenditore; guardando allo sfondo 

immediato, aumentare o ampliato il suo 

progetto di miglioramento o di sviluppo che 

richiede un buon sviluppo di una nazione. 

Invece di preoccuparsi di nulla; abbiamo MIE 

disposizione una fonte che è in grado di fare 

un prestito; con un piccolo d'interesse del 3%. 

Prestiamo € 1000-20000000.

NB: non dimenticate di specificare la quantità 

che si desidera. Per ulteriori informazioni non 

esitate a contattarci su e-mail: marioangelo368@gmail.co

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Guest

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On 6/1/2013 at 10:40 PM, Guest zach.c84 said:

I'm going Siem Reap from 7 -14 June.

Any recommendations?

Clubs?

Massage?

Was there last week.  Try Linga for good drinks and some nice masseurs.  Barcode has a couple of masseurs but not so interesting.

 

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  • G_M changed the title to Phnom Penh / Siam Reap ( Cambodia )- Massage / Sauna / Places To Visit (Compiled)
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