Guys and ruins, ruins and boys -trip to Cambodia in Oct 2022

[vinapu]

This is second part of my trip to SE Asia. First part was very short visit to Thailand reported already here :

https://www.gayguides.com/forums/topic/38515-shortest-trip-ever-but-still-blood-pressure-rising-report/ 

 

First thing I did in the airport was to collect my luggage which arrived only day later and I instructed them to keep it there as I will be able to collect it on departure. Process went very smoothly and only when I was reunited with my goods clouds appeared on horizon : my 10.30 am  flight to Phnom Penh did not appear anywhere on the screen.

 

Upon visiting ThaiViet Jet counter I learned that it’s postponed till 17.30 so after brief consultation with myself  I decided to toss that ticket and but new one for next available flight which was with Bangkok Airways at twice the price. Within hour I was on the plane though and landed in PP shortly after 1 so that splurge gave me an additional half day of time there.

 I had electronic visa so all went smoothly, exchanged 20 $ for 80 000 riels to have some change , collected my luggage , purchased SIM card for 8$ for 16 days and went to the taxi counter to splurge 9$ on tuk-tuk to the hotel. There are cheaper options like bus or catching tuk-tuk- outside of airport but I decided NOT to play Scrooge as amounts involved are very minor (to keep things in perspective where I live taxi from airport is 32 $ and I live walking distance from the airport).

 I was in PP three days staying in Saravoan Royal Palace hotel  in close vicinity of National Museum. Street 178, right beside Blu Chili bar which I did not visit by the way. Talk about wasted opportunities.

Can recommend that hotel  and will return as they say. I like to stay close to main attractions of place I’m visiting. They close gates at night but there was night guard so poor guy was waked up by me at 2 am every night, tipped him 2 $ or 10000 riels each time for his troubles.

 Went around the city by foot or tuk-tuk 1-2 $ each time . As before riels and dollars are fully interchangeable at rate 4000 to 1$ and you can pay in either. Changing money is easy and rates vary very little. Make sure your dollars notes , if any are not torn nor have ant writings on them. They seem to be vary particular about that and I got returned  1 $ bill with 1 mm tear.

 I reported my arrival to Christian PFC who happened to be there , by coincidence living in hotel on the same street and shortly he visited me  to shake hands and then we went for  a dinner to restaurant he recommended.

 In the evening I went alone to search for  Space Hair , barber turning into host bar at night

 They  don’t have go-go bars ,  Space Hair is a host bar.

 Bar is located on 136 str , famous for girl bars , right beside Sun and Moon hotel. I had problems finding it as for some reason I though is opposite hotel but no, is right beside. Gay flag is proudly displayed. There are several hosts there who are willing to have a drink or few drinks  with you but are not offable in Thai sense. Yes you can tactfully arrange to meet at least some of them  after hours. There are also three cute dogs who were not inclined to extract any drinks.

They open  at 8pm and close at 2 am.

I spent all 3 evenings there having two permanent drinking companions plus occasional  one from time to time . Nothing rough but I had bit of discreet but fruitful survey under the table at their invitation / encouragement. Drinks are from 3.50 / beer /   to 6 / red wine / , worth it as one of my boys admitted it makes him horny and not after long I could see and feel the proof, again discretely.

 Unfortunately that guy  was not available to go with customer , God is my witness I tried daily or rather nightly. Still he was a ton of pleasant fun and I think I liked him the most from all guys I met on that  trip. Another of my hosts turned more amendable , on my last night  with a bit of drama I managed to convince to visit me in my room. Drama because we left separately and only then I got Line message from him asking about my hotel and instructing me to wait for him in front of it.

This gives you an idea how discrete whole thing is.

I spent 50-70 $ on drinks for boys nightly and don’t regret it at all which is surprising myself as I’m not bar person. They are not nagging you for drinks and when treated with one are not in rush to gulp it and leave but when they finish one they may leave your table unless you treat them with next one.

 What I liked about that bar is that guys were keeping track of what we had and on one of nights actually noticed that I was charged for some drinks they did not had, impressive and about 8 $ savings.

 As for massage places three I visited were HECO and two Hatha Khmer locations. HECO is right behind royal palace so walking distance from my hotel , hey had only 2 boys on duty when I was there  but that was enough , I was happy with one I picked up. Massage is costly at 20$ but I liked experience ,  tipped boy also 20  $

When you google for Hatha Khmer you may  receive 3 locations. 330 street, 350 and 368. Visited all three but  at 368 was nothing at address indicated , asked locals and they told me that shop moved to 330 street which I visited as well.

Both 330 and 350 streets are in vicinity of infamous Tuol Sleng Genocide prison museum so easy to get to  as every driver knows the place.

 330 is short street and Hatha Khmer is located at opposite end from prison , on your left going toward it. There’s sign but it’s bit discreet so watch out , entry is like a bit of garden. Inside behind the glass were several hunks, massage was 15 $ , I tipped guy whole 40 $  which probably was well above going rate but I was happy with experience.

Location on 350 street is sauna and massage. That is street bordering prison from south and is much longer , Hatha Khmer is on stretch between prison and main street on your left going from prison .

There’s no sign but is quite prominent poster showing handsome hunk, entry looks loke covered parking lot or garage with sauna entry deep inside. I just asked attendant and he pointed me toward staircase. It was mid day and no boy was on duty but they told me they can bring one in 5 minutes and that was exactly what happened. Massage 12 $ , I tipped 30 $ , session was good but bit rushed toward end, it’s why lower tip.

In PP massages they expect you to be showered already and in none shower was offered after massage even if they had facilities. They simply wiped all oil clean with the towels . Facilities were clean and boys smelling immaculate so nothing to be apprehensive about .

I liked 330 location the best out those 3 even if presence of that infamous prison nearby was for me a bit chilling.

 I was in Phnom Penh in 2001 and change to the urban landscape was positive and monumental.

I was surprised by number of high rises built in meantime , streets were much cleaner , parks spruced up, Central Market and railway station renovated.

It appeared also to be much safer than expected , at least twice I left Space Hair at 2 am and walked to my hotel from 136^th street to 178^th undisturbed at all.

 I visited National Museum, very pleasant affair few steps from my hotel but sadly Royal Palace with it’s Silver Pagoda was still closed  for a Covid apparently. Climbed Wat Phnom hill , visited several temples and Wat Ounalom and Russian Market as a tourist program and three days in Phnom Penh went fast.

Then I went for a week to Siem Reap which will be reported separately.

 

[vinapu]

Space Hair guys

Central Market

railway station

Royal Palace during day and night

[pong2]

Sok sabay thé? (everything OK?). No more ´bram roy riel´ (500 r=4,5 bt) asked for all the time. 

Was kind of missing you, as no reports since the trainride in Laos. Indeed PnPn has been spruced up-a station for maybe 4 or 5 trains/week, if the hourly shuttle to airport still has not been revived. Enjoy the many ruins in SR and I am sure we can also expect a thorough overview of what is available there now as for entertainment.

[vinapu]

no, train shuttle from Phnom Penh airport has not been revived yet.

 

I will write something more about entertainment in Siem Reap  in due course for now I can say that there's still Barcode bar with the show, but no longer massage there and  there are massage places  Gecko, 168 Man and at Men's resort.  

[10tazione]

On 11/23/2022 at 7:02 AM, vinapu said:

 Saravoan Royal Palace hotel  in close vicinity of National Museum.

Can recommend that hotel

Thanks for the rec, I like it too!

Maybe we should add that the hotel has no elevator for those who have difficulty climbing stairs, and there are a lot of stairs!

[PeterRS]

On 11/23/2022 at 7:02 AM, vinapu said:

my 10.30 am  flight to Phnom Penh did not appear anywhere on the screen.

Upon visiting ThaiViet Jet counter I learned that it’s postponed till 17.30

I have never been on a Vietjet flight that was less than 4 hours delayed. Never take it now even if the fare is lower.

[10tazione]

On 11/23/2022 at 7:02 AM, vinapu said:

In PP massages they expect you to be showered already and in none shower was offered after massage even if they had facilities.

Interesting, I showered in Hatha Khmer Msg as well as in Heco, before and after.

Not much selection in Heco, only 1 boy available, though msg itself was good.

Hatha Khmer Msg similar to Arena in Bkk, can we say that?

Might try A&P next, what is the best time to go there?

[vinapu]

9 minutes ago, 10tazione said:

Interesting, I showered in Hatha Khmer Msg as well as in Heco, before and after.

Not much selection in Heco, only 1 boy available, though msg itself was good.

Hatha Khmer Msg similar to Arena in Bkk, can we say that?

Might try A&P next, what is the best time to go there?

No idea what, s going on with that showering as clearly our experiences were opposite. 

Heco seems understaffed as we both experienced shortage of staff or rather choice but what we had was still good. All we need is one place ane one boy there it seems. 

Absolutely agree with that coparizon, at least whe comes to 330 str location. When I was here contingent was actually more numerous than Arena's. 

As for A&P I can't say anything as I ever been there so hopefully others will respond. 

[a-447]

4 hours ago, 10tazione said:

Might try A&P next, what is the best time to go there?

Local guys turn up late in the afternoon, probably after work. They lie down on the sunbeds, have a swim and many then head to the sauna and jacuzzi area.

During the day the place is rather quiet as most guests seem to head out into town.

Hmmm....maybe it's time I made another visit to Phnom Pehn!

[vinapu]

My apologies to those who care I promised second part a while ago but I was busy with other travel and some social functions and only now have time to continue.

 As I said after 3 days in Phnom Penh I went for full week to Siem Reap. As lover of old buildings and ruins  I must say Siem Reap for me is  close to ultimate destination owing to number of crumbling buildings spread over large territory. During that week tourist stuff was more important to me than, eternal shame on me, boys.

 Saying that I haste to say that with exception of first evening , none of he following six went without romantic stuff .

 Getting from airport to my hotel was easy, I was planning to go outside gates where always some tuk-tuk drivers congregate but on my way was stopped by some driver who offered me ride to hotel for 9$ which is upper end of price for that service but was smart enough to finish his sentence with statement that he has also car if I want to go somewhere further. I was prepared so asked him right away ‘how much to Banteai Chhmar?’ 90 $ was much less than expected so deal was sealed.

More about that later, boy stuff first as this is what readers are waiting for, not a pile of old stones.

 Owing to good offer on Agoda my first 4 night were at Royal Crown followed by three at Men’s Resort.

 Royal Crown markets itself as 4 if not 5 stars and it is quite shiny with two pools , breakfast is included and room was very spacious  and nicely furnished. It’s across the river from Old Market. There are two supermarkets just steps from hotel and there was no problem with visitor.

 Men’s resort is little gay enclave in hidden  soi north of  National Highway 6 which is Siem Reap’s main drag but it’s only 5 minutes walk from said Hwy so hardly remote. Wat Po Lanka as well as town’s only Catholic Church are in close proximity and National Museum (closed when I was there ) is nearby.

 They offer massage and there’s sauna with adjacent maze on ground level, pool and all staff are males. For lazy or rich types there’s always tuk-tuk or two parked at front so getting to the city is cheap and easy.

 Room  had a view and all conveniences but had that industrial feel with concrete floor , bit different from opulence of Royal Crown  but quite similar to one I had in Phnom Penh at Saravoan.

 I liked their breakfast and to this day I recall taste of fresh baguette and heavenly tasting jam, best I had in generation or two.

 As for more interesting stuff there I had one massage  there before I moved in but after that did not participate in any internal activities  in resort. I’m not sauna person and somehow either I did not know how to approach guys working there or they skillfully ignored me  but for me  that resort was just hotel without any extras. Perhaps I should be more forwarding, I just don’t know but did not click there. No problem with external guest other than necessity of waking up night shift receptionist as gates were closed but 10000 riel / 2.5 $/ note soothed his inconvenience – my initiative , he did not ask for anything, perhaps because was too sleepy, lol.

to be continued  below

[vinapu]

As for fun available in Siem Reap now I found 3 massage places ( Men’s resort, Gecko and 168 massage ) and one bar , Barcode. And of course Grindr worked there as well ( I don’t use other apps for now , perhaps in future I will ).

 Massage at Men’s was very professional, costly at 26$ for 1.50 hrs session and it was just that , very good massage , no extra’s. May be I was again not brave enough  to signal or masseur was not interested in any of that , anyways this reflected my previous experience there few years ago. Saying that they must be popular as day before I went there around 8 pm and was told all guys are busy and there’s 1 hour wait involved.

 Gecko massage is located on main street leading from Old Market and is of mixed staff but guy there I asked for massage knew his job very well,  ahem, and I had very pleasant time there and with him , massage 15$ for 1.5 hr, tip twice as much , bit high but he caught me in heat of the moment with request. Anyways I’m not one to haggle about 5 $ or even 10$ .

 My headquarters when comes to  guys was 168 Massage, I found it on my first night  when I went to check if Hatha Khmer is still there , it turned out it was replaced by 168. It’s on side street by roundabout past Old market. Massage 10 $ ( 40000 riels) , min tip 20 $ ( 80 000 riels). I went there six evenings in row, my all there with exception of first. Each time had different guy but experience was uniformly great with good massage and ample extras. Guys congregate behind glass and curtain, similar to old Hero experience in BKK, all rather guy next door to hunky types, exactly what I like.

 I tipped each uniformly 100 000 riels (25$ ), well deserved. Funniest was third encounter on Wednesday ( I was there Sunday to Sunday ), mamasan told me they my chosen one just started today and I’m his first customer. Which was no doubt truth as he was so excited that upon entry to the room where I laid already ready for oil massage i.e. naked   he did not bother to close door. He did when I pointed there. After that all went very well, he knew how to massage, who cares about door closing skills. And was not shy at all.

I developed  evening routine there, after massage I had banana pancake  on the corner and then through Pub Street  I went to Barcode bar. There were two days of exception as at that time at least bar was not open every day and was closed I guess Mon and Wed (please confirm if you are there ) . There’s no longer any gay oriented bar on Pub Str, no harm done as street was extremely noisy so all I did every night it was just fast stroll through.

 Other gone venue was Barcode massage and I say it with bleeding hear as my last time there 5 years ago I got great guy from there who accompany me on  trip to Prasat Bakan (most remote from all Angkor temples, called also Preah Khan Kompong Svay )  and was tasked with warning my bed almost nightly.  

 Barcode has continuous show  for good 3 hours , alternating resident dancers with resident ladyboys. Audience is mixed , I saw elderly couples , your girls alone and in company  but everybody behaved, no screaming girls infesting some Pattaya and Bangkok bars. Few very handsome waiters and on my first night at departure I tipped one of them whole 5$ hoping next day he will remember me. Such sophisticated plot worked as indeed next time he greeted me as soon as I showed up and after few complements from me about his handsomeness we arranged for visit in my room after hours. It involved some drama as initially he declined, only to Line me later that he changed his mind. Sweet taste of dollar denominated tip I guess. He was one who forced me to wake up receptionist at Men’s.

 I was hoping for repeat during day next day but it did not work for him for some reason.

 There was another guy encounter earlier, on my first night at Barcode I recognized guy I saw previously on Grindr and he was one who draw my attention there with nice face and built. In flesh face was as nice but he turned out to be more diminutive than I imagined which did not stop me from glancing toward him until he noticed and showed empty chair beside him. He had drink already, we exchanged Line with promise of future contact. Future was closer than I imagined as I got message from him as soon as he left bar.

 Question was ‘ what hotel you are staying ? ” . Only looking stupid I knew what it means so my answer was “ Royal Crown, do you want to see my room ? “ to an answer : “ yes, tonight ? “ and that being me  next question was ‘ How much?”. We met in front of hotel and I  had very good time , I even asked about long time option but he declined as he was supposed to go to work in the morning.

Not only good looking but also smart and good conversationalist. I don’t think he liked me that much though , not only because that declined long time but also when he saw me at bar  o subsequent nights he did not make any effort to approach me which I don’t hold against him as he was obviously popular with younger patrons, he, he.  

 

 

[vinapu]

room at Royal Crown

room at Men's Resort

bathroom

[10tazione]

23 minutes ago, vinapu said:

boy stuff first

Yes because boys may become old while ruins are already old

[10tazione]

26 minutes ago, vinapu said:

Room  had a view and all conveniences but had that industrial feel with concrete floor

While it is in a quiet area, I remember some noise in the morning, from surrounding temples, dogs barking. Did you experience anything like that?

[vinapu]

So as you can see above fun still can be had in Siem Reap. But make no mistake , evening meets with boys  were just side business. My main goal was sightseeing and number one goal was Banteai Chhmar temple about 60 km north of Sisophon. This is last from big Khmer temples I never visited.

 

It’s vast complex but quite ruined even for Angkor standards, still warrants  2-3  hrs drive on way and that 90$ outlay. Time there was spoiled  by some festivities in nearby  village accompanied by deafening music which was heard in Siem Reap and Poipet and perhaps in Kuala Lumpur too I’m sure.

few impressions from Banteai Chhmar 

and loud festivities

[vinapu]

 

Next day was Preah Vihear which I already visited before but that temple being separate UNESCO site seated dramatically atop of mountain is worth going to any time. Fact that it was fought over  with Thais quite recently (tranches are still visible ) adds to the drama. For those in Bangkok, there’s replica of her in Muang Boran park in Samut Prakan among other architectural gems of Thailand.

Driver sensed perhaps that 90 $ he charged me yesterday was too low so asked for 130 $ to go there, still less than I paid last time.

temple is on that mountain

view from the top

I met family

 

 

[vinapu]

 

Other car trip was to Kbal Spean  , riverbed carved with hundreds lingas but timing was unfortunate, after night’s rain water was high and lots of carvings were poorly visible. To get there there's nice 40 mins walk through the jungle.

 

I visited it on my way to sacred mountain Mount Kulen where upon arrival I was offered trip to some remote places accessible only by narrow  paths for motorbikes only. Driver wanted 20$ for the whole circuit , pictures looked enticing but what made me take his offer was comment I saw on internet “ very interesting adventure but not for old people “ Moment I saw it I was buyer, fuck whoever wrote it. KFC man rules , no?

Not that it was entirely wrong as it was shaky ride  but worth every penny and adventure indeed and can be undertaken only by motorbike.

 

[vinapu]

more tomorrow

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, 10tazione said:

Yes because boys may become old while ruins are already old

that too but I'm realistic, who cares about ruins  ? Everybody including me likes more juicy stuff

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, 10tazione said:

While it is in a quiet area, I remember some noise in the morning, from surrounding temples, dogs barking. Did you experience anything like that?

dogs barking at night and cocks (animals) making their morning noises but can't say it bothered me, my condo faces 16 lane highway , LOL   

[bkkmfj2648]

2 hours ago, vinapu said:

More about that later, boy stuff first as this is what readers are waiting for, not a pile of old stones.

So true!!!  

Unless of course, you cannot resist your encounter with the "pile of old stones....."

      

Reminds me of a place called, "Dream Canyon" - just outside of Boulder, Colorado - you never knew what you might cum up against on those pile of old stones  :>))

[GWMinUS]

That must have been quite a trip from the Cambodian side up to Preah Vihear.

I visited coming from the Thai side and all along the road were signs warning of Land Mines!!!

Well worth the visit!!

[vinapu]

12 hours ago, GWMinUS said:

That must have been quite a trip from the Cambodian side up to Preah Vihear.

I visited coming from the Thai side and all along the road were signs warning of Land Mines!!!

Well worth the visit!!

actually now it's easy as road is paved all the way. When I was in Cambodia first time , back in 2001 and asked about trip there all I got was know on the forehead, there was no passable road to Anlong Veng and not only mines but also remnants of Khmer Rouge remained danger there. 

Now all you  need is to hire car or join a tour if you find one running. Then underneath the mountain is visitor center where you buy motorbike ticket for 10$ ot you can rent  a car for 20$ to take you up  to the  temple. Road up the mountain  is very steep at places so ride is exciting . Then all one needs to do is just walk around, it's pretty vast area.

Monumental Staircase is what  you probably climbed from Thai side, entry from Cambodian side is on top of staircase right by  so called Gopura VII.

pictures below, stairs and Gopura VII

 

[fedssocr]

Looks like you had Preah Vihear to yourself. I went there early on a Sunday morning and it was quite busy. In fact we arrived at the little place where you buy tickets and wait for your truck up the mountain before any of the employees and it was surprisingly crowded already. Definitely a great setting.

Have you been to Koh Ker?

[vinapu]

2 hours ago, fedssocr said:

Looks like you had Preah Vihear to yourself. I went there early on a Sunday morning and it was quite busy. In fact we arrived at the little place where you buy tickets and wait for your truck up the mountain before any of the employees and it was surprisingly crowded already. Definitely a great setting.

Have you been to Koh Ker?

there were few people, even two ladies from Trinidad from all places but I was there mid week at end of Oct  around noonish hours.

 

No , this time I did not go to neither Koh Ker nor Bang Melea, I was there last time in 2016 on my way from Prasat Bakan (Preah Khan Kompong Svay).

Koh Ker for those interested below