PROLOGE

There are threads on this board telling of the incredibly cheap and friendly girls of Cambodia. They talk about living for just pennies a day while beautiful women bang on the gates of their apartments begging to be allowed in. The fellows that write those reports by and large have spent months, even years, learning their way around Cambodia. In many cases they even have a working knowledge of the language. These folks have invested their time, paid their dues and are now reaping the rewards of their efforts. I’m, not one of those guys and this is not one of those reports. This is a report from somebody fresh off the boat … my first trip to Cambodia. The name’s McDIJJ, I’m just your garden variety international monger. This is my story;

I’ve made several trips to Asia and each time been tempted to take a side trip to Cambodia. If you read the Asian sections of this board much, it seems that while a lot of people are discussing their favorite bar in Pattaya or the best restaurant in Bangkok there is a seductive voice in the back ground that whispers, “Cambodia”. It sounds exotic … tempting. Maybe just a little wilder than Angles City. Perhaps a little less explored than Phuket or rougher around the edges than Bangkok. Maybe because it’s just a little further up the river than we’ve gone before.

Up until this last trip to Asia I had always resisted the lure. The chief reason being that I was having a really good time wherever else I was. The other reason was I did the math. CHEAP PUSSY seems to be Phnom Penh’s main claim to fame. That claim doesn’t hold water for the side trip crowd. Maybe you can get laid for $5 at Km11. But, given the difference between that and Bangkok prices, it will be 10-12 days before you’re savings on mongering break even with travel expenses. There is that $10 exit fee to leave Thailand. $20 for a Cambodian Visa and another $20 airport tax to get out of Cambodia. Don’t forget that $200 airline ticket. You have got to stay in Cambodia for a month or more to make it worthwhile from a financial point of view. For short time folk it amounts to spending $20 to save $5. So if you are having a good time in Thailand or the Philippines why leave, right?

What got me over the line and committed to visiting Cambodia turned out to be a Discovery Channel program on Angkor Waht. I watched that show with my mouth hanging open. I have always thumbed through National Geographic and listened to tales from non-mongering travelers about the wonders of the world with interest. Sitting there in front of the TV that night I was fascinated. I had a round trip ticket to Singapore in my desk drawer with 17 days between travel dates and no set schedule. I knew I was going to make visiting those temple ruins part of my trip EVEN IF IT MEANT NOT GETTING LAID for a couple of days! Fortunately that was not the case. Hard to visit temples after dark so what else can a fellow do? However, it became apparent that the lure of Cambodia for me was coming most strongly from a desire for adventure. With that in mind I no longer needed to do the math, it was irrelevant. I just had to go for it. Some things you just can’t put a price tag on.

Your story is somewhat similar to mine, in my case, I had a friend who had actually gone to Ankgor Wat and I saw his pictures and was floored. I've seen the TV stuff too. I figured just another trip in Thailand demanded a look-see to nearby Cambodia, at least once. For the most part I'm glad I did venture there, but the place is rather primitive. Another reason was to see if the Khmer girls were really as breasty as the sculptures depicted them to be, plus I knew lots of Vietnamese girls worked there, who happen to be quite high on my list. So, I headed off there with a friend. It was definitely a new experience and there is a certain interesting quality about Cambodia. I think going with a buddy is strongly advised because there is a certain creepiness about the place. The Vietnamese girls lived up to my expectations, the Khmers girls were a disappointment except one and the temples were spectacular; a priceless experience. I ended up making a second trip there with my buddy, by then you become a bit more used to it all. Doing a little homework before going is a very good idea. The information is out there, already posted.

Good report.

That's what I was afraid of and now your story confirms my suspicion. Viet girls are just a notch above Chinese women in the looks department and that is at the lower end of the scale. In addition, drivers and people in the service industry are probably more desperate and unethical than their Thai counterparts (although I constantly have problems with Thai cab drivers). That survivalist mentality seems to be all over Cambodia and the men are dicks. And to think that the mamasan's are trying robbery as well just does not motivate me to go there. I'll reserve my next outside trip to Costa Rica or AC.

Blazers,

Hold your judgement until I post into day 2 of Phnom Penh ... it get's better (or worse)

The trip was worth it to me as an adventure. Plus, Angkor Waht is a must for those folk that are into that sort of thing.

The place where you found me sitting with my lap top is still the center of what I call "Heaven on Earth". But, I'm getting to know it too well. Kind of like TJ ... no mystery left.

Enjoy your next trip my friend. I'm jealous.

McDIJJ

Scams are all over!!! They exist in Thaialnd, Cambodia, TJ, and Latin America countries. In Thailand someone tries to scam me at the airport all the time. If it isn't a taxi driver, it is the damn hotel touts telling you that all the hotels are booked in Koh Sumai and that they themselves have connections to a few hotels. I always ask them the price and they usually tell you something that is 3-4 times the price you can get the room for if you show up. Upon arriving at Koh Sumai I find that the island is half empty. There are also a lot of scams around the 'Grand Palace'. I am all to familiar with area and have to laugh when some guy tries to scam me.
I don't think that somebody has ever tried to scam me in Cambodia, but I do know that it exists, as I have heard stories witnessed others getting gouged.
The worst one for me was in Venuzeala where I had a soldier with a rifle get 40 bucks off of me. I didn't feel like arguing or trying to negotiate with some corrupt, lunatic, rifle-carrying soldier

McDIIJ,

An interesting and well written report!

McDIIJ,

Your report is so helpful to me. As you may know from the TripBuddies area, I am hoping to see Phnom Phen and Angkor Waht in December. As a single-white traveler, I can easily picture myself getting into all the situations you described. (Hopefully now I'll know better, though.) Your report helped me to solidify the idea that I do want to see Angkor Waht regardless of anything else. It also changed my attitude about what I might EXPECT for the sanuk portion of the trip. I think a key to enjoying most situations is having realistic expectations that are close to the realities we might encounter. If I had gone without reading your report, I would've had higher/different expectations for the nightlife. Now I am focused on Angkor Waht and K11 and the girls are more of the frosting on the cake. Anyway, I really appreciate your insights and the details you provided. Thanks! - Rasta