Perhaps it was a deep feeling of guilt from growing up in the Nixon years and now realizing how the US spent so much effort to destroy the land and kill the population of this already internally pained country as the Khmer Rouge was trying to exterminate the general population under Pol Pot.
I flew Bangkok Air from BKK. I found the visa on arrival procedure quite amusing , you approach a long table with about 10 officials sitting at it. Give your passport, visa application and photo and they pass it down the line. Each one examining it, and then passing it on.
At the end you pay $20.
I opted on a taxi to town vs a tuk tuk. The well used Toyota Camry fought heartily through the insane traffic. After 3 days I have come to the conclusion that the only traffic rule in Cambodia is whoever has the biggest balls, ie, the most courage or stupidity, gains right of way.
I did as much research as possible prior to my trip, scouring the internet for travel blogs and message boards. I decided to stay close to the river and close to nightlife. I arrived at Rose Bar and guesthouse on St 104. I entered and a young man took my bag and I followed him up a set of stairs. I noticed the room had no balcony, which I had requested… but then again, no one asked who I was upon entering. A few minutes later he motioned for me to follow him up 2 more flights of stairs to a large room with double bed, and a large balcony overlooking the street and the a fine view of the river. The room also had a frig, a ceiling fan, a tv with cable, a few bottles of water in the frig, and a large bathroom with western toilet and 2 shower nozzles, one hot water, no shower stall. US $20 a night.
Unpacked and took a stroll up Sasothay Quay, the street that runs along the river front. I saw a park and headed in that direction. There was a man hosing down an elephant.
That night after a short nap, went for some dinner, many touts, mostly motos and tuk tuks. Had a decent dinner of fried calamari and some loc lak beef over rice. Returning to Rose there were about 20 girls working. Chose a slim pretty girl and had a drink with her, paid $10 bar fine and we went upstairs.
Woke early the next morning ,as the curtains in the room were rather sheer and let in the morning light. Opened the patio to welcome in a new day and looked across the rooftops and saw a few monkeys. Took a few photos and headed into the shower. Got out and returned to the patio and 5 monkeys were on my balcony. Obviously used to humans, all I had in the room to offer were lollipops that I procured to fend off the children beggars . yeh, rot their teeth, that will teach them to be poor and impoverished. Gave the monkeys each a lollipop.
Had a poor excuse for a breakfast buffet and headed to Tuol Sleng, aka S21, a high school turned prison and execution center for the Khmer Rouge in the mid 70's. I don't trust my fat ass on a moto, so tuk tuk was the means of transport, slow but reasonably comfortable.
Entrance fee was $2. I took my time and looked at a lot of the hundreds of photos of citizens turned prisoners , most of whom were tortured and eventually murdered. Very moving.
Later headed up to the Russian Market. Little bit of everything and very good prices here for local handicrafts.
Back to room, shower, and off to Galaxy Hotel for "massage".
Fishbowl set up on second floor. Khmers to the left and Vietnamese to the right. Clean room, strong shower. $5 for room, $40 for girl. I am sure I over paid.
Had a walk through the old market area, lots of food, fish,produce. Very crowded, almost stepped on a catfish that jumped out of its bucket. Motos drive through the crowds, what are they thinking?
Opted not to visit killing fields on Thursday. Went to Central Market, same same, although I consider myself adventurous, seeing the meat and poultry with flies all over it and considering the entire market is like an oven by mid day, I don't eat any of the offerings. Walked around the area a bit, I ask a tuk tuk to take me to the indoor shopping mall. I had read of a new upscale shopping center, but did not write down the address.
Figured I could be comfortable and eat some "safe" food.
He dropped me off at what ended up being a large office building. Oh well.
Returned to the park and fended off the beggar children. Watched them hose down the elephant again. Met up with a fellow "tourist" from Calif. We talked for a while and exchanged war stories. I bought a bottle of water from a vendor. We sat talking on a bench and a monkey slowly walked up to me, climbed my leg and took the bottle of water.
I fed him a little , but he snatched the bottle away and ran up a tree… oh well.
Went to Frog and Parrot on the river, nice little bar/restaurant.
Interesting retro decor of old movie posters, board games and vintage stuff. ( old box of Corn Flakes )
Had the shrimp fried rice and tempura frog. Frog was small, but tasty. Stopped in Bunny Bar across the street from my room. About 15 girls, no customers. Ordered an Angkor beer and was surrounded. Chair was uncomfortable so girls recommended the couch in the back. Four girls sat with me and within a few minutes my dick was out for inspection and general groping. Lots of laughs, I bought them a round of drinks and got the 8 handed massage. Most of the girls were cute, one was a knockout IMO.
Returned to Rose bar and played several games of Chenga .
The man who originally carried my luggage upstairs offered me a ride to the airport in the morning. He said he would be waiting. A few more beers and I opt to save my remaining sperm for Thailand.
In the morning I dragged my 22kg suitcase down the 4 flights, on the second level the cleaning woman saw me and yelled for the driver, he was sleeping in the kitchen . He got out his tuk tuk and we braved the morning traffic to the airport.
My overall feelings, well worth the trip, sad in many ways, people are beautiful but so poor. Riverfront is way over priced.
They are trying too hard to go upscale and the contrast is hurting. Visa on arrival for $20 and then $25 departure tax is steep, but then again a visa to China is $130 for US citizen.
Hey I survived without any food poisoning, that's a good thing.