On the previous visit over the bridge a few days before we'd stopped off at a small food stall on the other side for some fried chicken. I spent the next few days shitting through the eye of a needle unfortunately.
Cambodia: The Year of the Rabbit
Started by
dixon cox
, Dec 11 2011 03:35 PM
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#265
dixon cox
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Posted 06 April 2012 - 05:54 PM
Having been over the Japanese Friendship Bridge several times already on the bike I wanted to walk to it this time so I could absorb the scenery more slowly.
On the previous visit over the bridge a few days before we'd stopped off at a small food stall on the other side for some fried chicken. I spent the next few days shitting through the eye of a needle unfortunately.
On the previous visit over the bridge a few days before we'd stopped off at a small food stall on the other side for some fried chicken. I spent the next few days shitting through the eye of a needle unfortunately.
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#266
dixon cox
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Posted 06 April 2012 - 06:19 PM
The bridge is quite a bit further to walk from Wat Phnom than it first appears when riding the bike, but I still enjoyed it. Problem on the bridge is there's no shade and pedestrains are a nuisance as the bikes want to drive on the footpaths if it's busy.
The bridge carries route 6A into the City (routes 6 & 7 combined).
The bridge carries route 6A into the City (routes 6 & 7 combined).
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#267
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Posted 06 April 2012 - 06:44 PM
The way back took me around the big Stad Jas roundabout and down Monivong Boulevard to locate the British Embassy, you never know when you may need it.
Arrived back at the apartment around 09:30 and she'd already been to the market and was preparing an early brunch of fried rice, fried potatoes and fried pork and vegetables. Life is good, especially with yum-yum for afters.
Arrived back at the apartment around 09:30 and she'd already been to the market and was preparing an early brunch of fried rice, fried potatoes and fried pork and vegetables. Life is good, especially with yum-yum for afters.
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#268
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Posted 08 April 2012 - 08:11 PM
Boeung Kak Lake.
In the north of Phnom Penh lies Boeung Kak Lake which was another place I was keen to visit and take a look at. I'd read and heard about the development project by Shukaku and the forced evictions, drug gangs, various undesirables and normal families living alongside the lake. Things like this often pique my curiosity so I persuaded her to take me there to have look, during daylight hours obviously.
Towards the end of last year (2011) events took a turn as forced evictions began to take place. In Cambodia money definately buys power. News from September 2011:
"One Boeung Kak Lake resident and activist, Suong Sophorn was beaten unconscious by police with batons and a brick after he called for other residents to join hands to stop the destruction of more houses." ~ Boeung Kak Forced Evictions
"Families have lived under threat of forced eviction since February 2007 when the MPP granted a 99-year lease for the land to Shukaku Inc." ~ Phnom Penh residents score landmark victory over proposed land grab
Pictures taken on 10th June 2011.
In the north of Phnom Penh lies Boeung Kak Lake which was another place I was keen to visit and take a look at. I'd read and heard about the development project by Shukaku and the forced evictions, drug gangs, various undesirables and normal families living alongside the lake. Things like this often pique my curiosity so I persuaded her to take me there to have look, during daylight hours obviously.
Towards the end of last year (2011) events took a turn as forced evictions began to take place. In Cambodia money definately buys power. News from September 2011:
"One Boeung Kak Lake resident and activist, Suong Sophorn was beaten unconscious by police with batons and a brick after he called for other residents to join hands to stop the destruction of more houses." ~ Boeung Kak Forced Evictions
"Families have lived under threat of forced eviction since February 2007 when the MPP granted a 99-year lease for the land to Shukaku Inc." ~ Phnom Penh residents score landmark victory over proposed land grab
Pictures taken on 10th June 2011.
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#269
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Posted 08 April 2012 - 09:17 PM
It was mid-June now and my one month extension to my original 30-day tourist visa was due to expire. So not only was a visa run necessary and imminent but this would be an opportunity for a contact lens run too.
An SOS had recently been sent out to a buddy who was soon to be arriving in Phnom penh who said he would pick my lenses up on his way through Bangkok for me. But I decided I didn't want to inflict this burden on him on his hoilday and could get them myself on my visa run to Thailand, even at short notice. But I was extremely grateful to him for the kind offer.
Contact lenses in Phnom Penh were priced at $1 each. I visited numerous optic shops (opticians) and none of them would budge on their price despite me wishing to order in bulk of about 180 daily disposables, they weren't even my own brand. Not even one free lens!
I'd booked my Air Asia flight several days ago, so on the day I just packed a small overnight bag with plenty of space in it for the lenses. I held onto my cap as she took me on the back of her bike enroute to Pochentong International Airport. By law only the driver needs to wear a crash helmet in Cambodia, all passengers can break their skull as far as the authorities are concerned. Check-in at the airport was a breeze, no queue at all, and my ticket included the departure tax too. Apparently tickets now include the departure tax so it begs the question why the payment office was still manned, maybe it is not the case with all air carriers.
At Suvarnabhumi I wasn't in the mood to be messing about so I took the first taxi available from the arrivals level and it took me to Nana on the expressway for B400, including all tolls, although he had to stop for a piss on the hard shoulder along the way. I checked into the Dynasty Inn with no reservation and got a room overlooking Soi4.
I wasn't particularly interested in 'hitting the town'. I'd had visit of several days earlier in the year in January from Pattaya with a buddy and I just couldn't get into it then either. I just wanted to get my tasks done of acquiring contact lenses and emptying as much as I could from my Kasikorn Bank account and changing it into US dollars and having a meal in Tuk Lae Dee, Foodland Soi5.
Top Chareon Optical on Soi3 supplied a total of 450 lenses (Dailies, same brand as back home) and they arrived to order the next morning, as promised. The lens bin for 15 boxes of 30 lenses came to B5,750, nearly half the price they are back home and in Phnom Penh. I wouldn't use them all during this trip but planned on leaving a load at her house in PP for next time. Maybe I should seriously consider laser eye surgery.
At various ATM's I withdrew the maximum daily amount on each of the two days, that Baht is doing no good sitting in that account right now and I want US dollars. Kasikorn allows B50,000 per day to be withdrawn from an ATM at B20,000 per withdrawal, but you can retrieve your card and put it straight back in again for more. B20k is the dispenser's maximum due to the thickness of the collective notes.
I was very disappointed to find Foodland closed for renovation, so no easy snacking at Tuk Lae Dee for me today. One of my favourite eateries in the area for a fast bite. I guess 2 out of 3 ain't bad.
Not sure if Bangkok has the vibe I once enjoyed in the past, I was very much looking forward to getting back to Phnom Penh.
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#270
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Posted 09 April 2012 - 09:52 AM
I'm not a big fan of FCC for some reason. But the view is excellent. A few doors north is a very good Mexican restaurant, Cantina. Also Viva has opened a Mexican place on Sisowath up by 104. Viva has two restaurants in Siem Reap, one on Pub Street and one near, where I've eaten before. The places in S.R. are quite good.
A few doors south of FCC is a good Italian restaurant that is always packed. I think the Italian restaurant in the atrocious looking NagaWorld is quiet good also. BTW Nagaworld has rules that give about the worst gambling odds I have ever seen in a casino.
A bit off topic but your pictures cause things to start rattling around in my brain.
The $25 departure tax, for international departures, is now included in air ticket prices. Not sure either why there are people still in the departure tax booth.
Carry on sir. I've learned a lot new from this thread and rekindled some memories.
A few doors south of FCC is a good Italian restaurant that is always packed. I think the Italian restaurant in the atrocious looking NagaWorld is quiet good also. BTW Nagaworld has rules that give about the worst gambling odds I have ever seen in a casino.
A bit off topic but your pictures cause things to start rattling around in my brain.
The $25 departure tax, for international departures, is now included in air ticket prices. Not sure either why there are people still in the departure tax booth.
Carry on sir. I've learned a lot new from this thread and rekindled some memories.
xyzzy is the "magic word" from the first computer adventure game and isn't capitalized
#271
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Posted 09 April 2012 - 06:04 PM
It was nice to be back in Phnom Penh after the visa run to Thailand, it's starting to feel like home here and having our own apartment certainly helps. The rent payment and bills are due soon.
I was up at the crack of dawn on the first day back and it was a bright, clear and sunny morning. The coolness and freshness in the air was begging me to go for a walk again, so I did. In my pockets just a few dollars for some drink along the way, my scrunched-up minimap of the City and my trusty Canon S90.
As I rolled back the security shutters attached to the outside our front door and then secured the door behind me. The local mongrel dog beneath me in the neighbours yard started yapping, I growled loudly at it and it stopped.
I was up at the crack of dawn on the first day back and it was a bright, clear and sunny morning. The coolness and freshness in the air was begging me to go for a walk again, so I did. In my pockets just a few dollars for some drink along the way, my scrunched-up minimap of the City and my trusty Canon S90.
As I rolled back the security shutters attached to the outside our front door and then secured the door behind me. The local mongrel dog beneath me in the neighbours yard started yapping, I growled loudly at it and it stopped.
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#272
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Posted 09 April 2012 - 06:37 PM
Thanks Dude.A bit off topic but your pictures cause things to start rattling around in my brain.
Carry on sir. I've learned a lot new from this thread and rekindled some memories.
I'm curious to know what the rattling in your brain is about, are you tempted to return sooner rather than later?
I must admit the FCC is only a place I would visit during their 'happy hour' (5pm-7pm) to make the most of the half price drinks. As you say there are some good eateries about, Mexican food is one of my favourites and I'll have to try the Cantina next time, thanks for the tip. We ate several times at Viva in Siem Reap and I liked the food there alot, so I need to try the Phnom Penh version. We (she) tended to do alot of home cooking which was delicious, but perhaps we need to get out a bit more for food.
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#273
soulboy
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Posted 09 April 2012 - 08:45 PM
Well done DC 
Great information and some nice pictures with witty intro's .
A great introduction to Cambodia .
Great information and some nice pictures with witty intro's .
A great introduction to Cambodia .
Where your friend you ?
#274
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Posted 09 April 2012 - 09:15 PM
Re: The picture comments. I'd rather add something to each of them to avoid the feeling of just having a bunch of random pics, plus I enjoy doing it.Great information and some nice pictures with witty intro's .
A great introduction to Cambodia .
I hope you can make it over there sometime in the future
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#275
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Posted 09 April 2012 - 09:36 PM
There was a large building almost opposite our apartment with security guards outside which broadcasts about 15 minutes of Khmer 'talk' radio every morning leading up until the 6am time pips, thanks for sharing. Fortunately inside the bedroom this cannot be heard, so she sleeps soundly on.
The inner walls of the apartment bedroom also defend sleeper's ears from the sound of loud plaintiff chit-chat nearby from the locals at the rear as they wash and clean every morning, but as I am often up at this time of day anyway it's no biggie for me.
We'd been to Sorya Center supermarket the day before and spent around $33 on groceries, they have many barang foods in there, plus we'd bought a few pieces of fried chicken from Lucky 7 (?) so we had plenty of food in.
But returning to the apartment today I cut back through the busy Phsar Kandal market again to get me in the mood for breakfast as I hadn't eaten yet.
She made me a tasty cheese and egg baguette with brown sauce in the end, I didn't fancy meat today.
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#276
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Posted 16 April 2012 - 07:31 PM
That time of the month had arrived again which required me to reach deep into my trousers and pull something out that I preferred to keep well hidden, my wallet. It was monthly bill time at the apartment.
Today's early morning walk took me more further afield than usual. South along Riverside and Sothearos then turning left at Sihanouk Boulevard and venturing through the backstreets to eventually return via the Olympic Stadium, a walk covering about 12km in all. Long walks would not be recommended from midday onwards as it's way too hot at this time of year (June).
Today's early morning walk took me more further afield than usual. South along Riverside and Sothearos then turning left at Sihanouk Boulevard and venturing through the backstreets to eventually return via the Olympic Stadium, a walk covering about 12km in all. Long walks would not be recommended from midday onwards as it's way too hot at this time of year (June).
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