Cambodia: The Year of the Rabbit
Started by
dixon cox
, Dec 11 2011 03:35 PM
438 replies to this topic
#109
jayarr
-
- Members
- 212 posts
Posted 31 December 2011 - 03:35 AM
to get away from the kids selling things, just hide in the hotel
- Slr5700efi likes this
#110
dixon cox
-
- Moderators
-
- 7,150 posts
Monkey Nut
- LocationCentral Pattaya
Posted 31 December 2011 - 08:15 AM
There is much truth in what you say jayarrto get away from the kids selling things, just hide in the hotel.
On an extended stay there's no way I'm out every night in a bar or restaurant. With a nice balcony it's a beer and a ciggie above the streets below to allow people watching without the involvement or hassle.
Meum cerebrum nocet
#111
dixon cox
-
- Moderators
-
- 7,150 posts
Monkey Nut
- LocationCentral Pattaya
Posted 31 December 2011 - 08:54 AM
With the mild tension and feeling of disdain from the hosts at The Queen Hill Resort, it confirmed our previous decision that one night would be enough here.
So it was off on foot back down the hill in the direction of Ochheuteal Beach to look for a motorbike to rent and another place to stay for tomorrow night, whichever comes first. As much as I like Sihanoukville I didn't seem to have much joy finding a place I was happy, maybe it was just me.
During the walk we chatted about where we might go now and agreed on trying another area altogether, Independence Beach. An old friend of hers was now married to the French proprietor of a Guesthouse, so we got in a tuk-tuk and went to take a look. Once off Serendipity Beach Road and left at the Golden Lions roundabout there was nary a backpacker to be seen.
So it was off on foot back down the hill in the direction of Ochheuteal Beach to look for a motorbike to rent and another place to stay for tomorrow night, whichever comes first. As much as I like Sihanoukville I didn't seem to have much joy finding a place I was happy, maybe it was just me.
During the walk we chatted about where we might go now and agreed on trying another area altogether, Independence Beach. An old friend of hers was now married to the French proprietor of a Guesthouse, so we got in a tuk-tuk and went to take a look. Once off Serendipity Beach Road and left at the Golden Lions roundabout there was nary a backpacker to be seen.
Attached Files
Meum cerebrum nocet
#112
dixon cox
-
- Moderators
-
- 7,150 posts
Monkey Nut
- LocationCentral Pattaya
Posted 31 December 2011 - 09:44 AM
Our tuk-tuk arrived at the Sasha Guesthouse and the people there seemed very friendly, the place and room were fine, if sparse, plus a friendly dog called Lucky, so we reserved the room for tomorrow and paid a deposit.
They also arranged a motorbike for us, a Suzuki Step 125, which was much newer than the other one back at Queen Hill and in excellent condition, again costing $7. I was far happier leaving my passport here with these people due to the barang connections.
By the time we'd had refreshments, had a chat with the owners and got the bike sorted we were hungry, it was now dark and this part of the coast was almost completely unlit.
We took a slow ride in the near pitch black to the Treasure Island Seafood & Chinese Restaurant very close to the water's edge, between Victory and Independence beaches. It was a very cosy and almost a posh place, although my chicken had chopped bones in it, but that seems to be the Khmer way, it was delicious. The cost was a little on the expensive side at $23.50, but I decided we needed to treat ourselves and the food and service were both very good.
After we'd eaten it was back on the bike in near total darkness for a few kilometres before reaching downtown Sihanoukville for a minimart to get some snacks for the morning. Then it was back to Queen Hill Resort for our one and only night there. It rained later.
Attached Files
Meum cerebrum nocet
#113
dixon cox
-
- Moderators
-
- 7,150 posts
Monkey Nut
- LocationCentral Pattaya
Posted 02 January 2012 - 05:37 AM
A dry evening in Sihanoukville, but it rained heavily over night and I woke around 5am to find both the AC and fan are off due to a power-failure. Not an uncommon occurrence in Cambodia.
I had the shits during the early hours and visited the toilet numerous times, before finally getting back to sleep. I suspect it was some of the beach food I'd eaten, as opposed to Treasure Island, but who knows.
We check-out of the Queen Hill Resort, not a moment too soon, and stack all of our baggage and ourselves aboard the bike and head off in the direction of Independence Beach for the Sasha Guesthouse, friendly faces at last.
I had the shits during the early hours and visited the toilet numerous times, before finally getting back to sleep. I suspect it was some of the beach food I'd eaten, as opposed to Treasure Island, but who knows.
We check-out of the Queen Hill Resort, not a moment too soon, and stack all of our baggage and ourselves aboard the bike and head off in the direction of Independence Beach for the Sasha Guesthouse, friendly faces at last.
Attached Files
Meum cerebrum nocet
#114
dixon cox
-
- Moderators
-
- 7,150 posts
Monkey Nut
- LocationCentral Pattaya
Posted 02 January 2012 - 09:14 AM
More overnight rain causes another power outage during the early hours, only this time it's from around 4am through until about 10am. Very hot and uncomfortable and cannot sleep with no AC or fan, I can live without AC and hot water, but I do need at least a fan.
Once up and cold-showered we take off on the bike and start looking for another place to stay as here is so remote and my LBGF worries about us getting mugged by bandits along the dark roads at night, close to one of Sihanoukville's rubbish dumps.
It is seriously pitch-black at night, no street lighting, only the light from the motorcycles headlamp for several kilometres to town, I noticed bikes tended to stick together and travel in groups along that stretch. Plus, apart from the casino across the road, there was nothing to do here.
Sasha Guesthouse:
$12 per night, AC, TV, hot water, fan, no fridge, communal safety box with reception.
Once up and cold-showered we take off on the bike and start looking for another place to stay as here is so remote and my LBGF worries about us getting mugged by bandits along the dark roads at night, close to one of Sihanoukville's rubbish dumps.
It is seriously pitch-black at night, no street lighting, only the light from the motorcycles headlamp for several kilometres to town, I noticed bikes tended to stick together and travel in groups along that stretch. Plus, apart from the casino across the road, there was nothing to do here.
Sasha Guesthouse:
$12 per night, AC, TV, hot water, fan, no fridge, communal safety box with reception.
Attached Files
Meum cerebrum nocet
#115
Premier
-
- Members
- 96 posts
Posted 02 January 2012 - 03:49 PM
Once up and cold-showered we take off on the bike and start looking for another place to stay as here is so remote and my LBGF worries about us getting mugged by bandits along the dark roads at night, close to one of Sihanoukville's rubbish dumps.
It is seriously pitch-black at night, no street lighting, only the light from the motorcycles headlamp for several kilometres to town, I noticed bikes tended to stick together and travel in groups along that stretch. Plus, apart from the casino across the road, there was nothing to do here.
Really enjoying this report DC. I have only been to Sihanoukville the one time a few years back and I always contemplate a return but I would have to concur with your LB companion that it is not the safest place. The city is very spread out and if you are in a bar hopping mood there is a fair bit of arseing about getting from say one of the beaches to Victory Hill. I recall taking a couple of tuktuk journeys at very late hours down dark and deserted roads and thinking to myself that I was a fucking sitting duck if any of the locals felt like engaging in banditry that evening.
Did you happen to visit the Snake House restaurant or the hostess bar at the same complex?
#116
dixon cox
-
- Moderators
-
- 7,150 posts
Monkey Nut
- LocationCentral Pattaya
Posted 02 January 2012 - 07:16 PM
Many thanks PremierReally enjoying this report DC. I have only been to Sihanoukville the one time a few years back and I always contemplate a return but I would have to concur with your LB companion that it is not the safest place. The city is very spread out and if you are in a bar hopping mood there is a fair bit of arseing about getting from say one of the beaches to Victory Hill. I recall taking a couple of tuktuk journeys at very late hours down dark and deserted roads and thinking to myself that I was a fucking sitting duck if any of the locals felt like engaging in banditry that evening.
Did you happen to visit the Snake House restaurant or the hostess bar at the same complex?
I'm glad you understood my bandit reference as you've sensed the same discomfort yourself. If the Khmers themselves are aware of it then there must be some element of truth about it, certainly the sensation was real.
Although riding the bike along those long winding roads through a few kilometres of nothingness in the pitch black was enjoyable, the heightened sensation that something could happen at any instant was very real and one remained on high-alert for the duration and suspicious of anything that moved, or you thought moved.
I heard about the Snake House but we never made it on this occasion, something I must try to rectify next visit. I am particularly fond of reptiles.
Meum cerebrum nocet
#117
dixon cox
-
- Moderators
-
- 7,150 posts
Monkey Nut
- LocationCentral Pattaya
Posted 02 January 2012 - 07:37 PM
On our one and only night staying at the Sasha Guesthouse we made a late night run to Downtown for some local food for my companion and some snacks from the minimart for me. The feeling of hunger can be a very powerful one.
There was a sigh of relief to reach the lit areas close to the Golden Lions roundabout on the way out and we followed a tuk-tuk on the way back.
There was a sigh of relief to reach the lit areas close to the Golden Lions roundabout on the way out and we followed a tuk-tuk on the way back.
Attached Files
Meum cerebrum nocet
#118
dixon cox
-
- Moderators
-
- 7,150 posts
Monkey Nut
- LocationCentral Pattaya
Posted 02 January 2012 - 08:41 PM
A little New Year's news on Sihanoukville.
Those free tables and chairs on Serendipity Beach, which would normally cost only the price of a drink, had a price tag of $50 on New Year's Eve. Even a simple beach mat had a cost of $15 being asked.
... and that $12 Sasha Guesthouse room would have set you back $90 :o
If I'm ever there for New Year I think I'd just take a small pack, a blanket and a towel and sleep on the beach and have a swim in the morning, before returning to Phnom Penh the next day on the bus, providing I could get a seat of course.
Those free tables and chairs on Serendipity Beach, which would normally cost only the price of a drink, had a price tag of $50 on New Year's Eve. Even a simple beach mat had a cost of $15 being asked.
... and that $12 Sasha Guesthouse room would have set you back $90 :o
If I'm ever there for New Year I think I'd just take a small pack, a blanket and a towel and sleep on the beach and have a swim in the morning, before returning to Phnom Penh the next day on the bus, providing I could get a seat of course.
Meum cerebrum nocet
#119
environmental123
-
- Members
- 4 posts
Posted 03 January 2012 - 02:31 AM
stellar photos and trip report sgt. dixon cox do you have any night pics of ladyboys in the streets, bars, etc.? Also any pics in the loom, lol!
do you have any night pics of ladyboys in the streets, bars, etc.? Also any pics in the loom, lol!
#120
dixon cox
-
- Moderators
-
- 7,150 posts
Monkey Nut
- LocationCentral Pattaya
Posted 03 January 2012 - 02:55 AM
Hello e123 and welcome to our humble forumstellar photos and trip report sgt. dixon cox
First things first...
It gives me great pleasure to be the catalyst for your inaugural post during the last 6 years of your membership
I know this TR would probably be a little more exciting with a little flesh flashed and a few upskirts scattered into the mix, but being the respectable old chap I am my stash will remain locked away, sorry.
Very pleased you're enjoying the photos thus far and many thanks
Meum cerebrum nocet
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users
