Barber brothel

The day I arrived I was in urgent need of a manicure. As I had a motorbike already I simply drove onwards to Monivong, finding a barber shop/ beauty salon. I went in and was received a warm welcome and a women took my hand taking me into the back part upstairs. There I told here, that I am just looking for a simple manicue- nothing more. She was kind of confused, but took me down again into a private room with two girl on each side doing my nails. The worked really hard but I run out of time, so I left them without the intended extra service by the mama San...Welcome to Phnom Penh!

Phnom Penh

Its a couple of month ago since I had been in Phnom Penh, but now I am back and its kind of strange. I am not sure why, but it seems that the development of this beautiful City in beyond my expectation. I am sitting in Boeang Keng Kong 1 (BKK1) in "my" street. Its st.278, which used to be a small residential street with serviced apartments serving the NGO crowd. But nowadays it seems to be the favorite hang out place for "volunteers". The apartments are still available and as always a good choice if you are on a shoestring. I am staying normally at "Golden Bridge"- most places are golden anyway. Its a very basic chinese run place, but clean and very friendly staff assisting you wherever they can.
The former pretty relaxed hang out place Elsewhere moved into the street and it looks like it is the favorite hang out location for some sorry to say, fat and ugly volunteers relaxing in the pool from their very hard daily life out in the "real cambodia"...
To be honest- there aren't many places in the world where such people could behave like that- this bar is one of them.
To be fair- the passion nirwana ist still sooo yummy!!!!

Stay tuned for more reports on traveling asia!

Travel Asia

Its time for a change. Meet me around Asia from january until end of march. Be prepared on in depth reports on traveling Hong Kong, Bangkok, Yangon, Phnom Penh, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bali, Bandung, Tokyo, Beijing and Shanghai.

Stay tuned!

Same Same but different!

This is a movie about my "first" contact about Cambodia! Very impressive story....

Phnom Penh Love

Phnom Penh is a city of beauty and degradation, tranquillity and violence, and tradition and transformation; a city of temples and brothels, music and gunfire, and festivals and coups.
But for many, it is simply an anarchic celebration of insanity and indulgence. Whether it is the $2 wooden shack brothels, the marijuana-pizza restaurants, the AK-47 fireworks displays, or the intricate brutality of Cambodian politics, Phnom Penh never ceases to amaze and amuse. For an individual coming from a modern Western society, it is a place where the immoral becomes acceptable and the insane becomes normal.
Have a look to this german article I read before I went first time to Cambodia.
Places to stay:


The main tourist area is around the Riverfront. This is indeed quiet nice, but if you are looking for an area with less tourist stay in any place around the city as its not far away anyway. If you are not on a budget I would recommend the Raffles Le Royal Hotel. This is indeed the place for all of you searching for the colonial feeling and its not that expensive anyway. For the guys who are searching for a cheaper option I would recommend the 278 street- there several places and some restaurants. Try out "Golden Star"- these are serviced apartments. The area is prefered by the expat community.
Nightlife:

For a sundowner I would recommend the FCC, there you will have a perfect view over the Tonle Sap. If you wanna drink with style you should head to the Elephants Bar for the happy hour.
Home to the city’s infamous first Friday bash where literally hundreds of people cram into the garden and around the pool, with some ending up in the pool as the night progresses, is Elsewhere. This place is pretty popular with the western expat community- no Khmers at all. But try the Mojito!
Another venue is the River House Lounge even so famous with the expat crowd but there are some Khmers around.
If you are interested in Khmer nightlife you should have a look to Sparks club- this is indeed huge and loud! Last but not least there is the very famous Heart of Darkness or simply The Heart. This is a small bar with a dance floor full of khmers, expats, tourists and prostitutes, but nevertheless the place to be late at night!
When you escaped the hell you could decide two have a late night supper or go for a massage. Booth is worth a try. For late night supper there are several restaurants open or have a seat on the street in front of the palace near the river. The other option is a healthy khmer massage at La Cigalle Bleue near Wat Phom.
Food:
There is always something to eat around. Even if you don't love asian food you could easily have food from most regions in the world without leaving Phnom Penh. I had traditional russian, european, american and all sorts of asian food in Phnom Penh but one the most special dining experience is for sure the North Korean Restaurant. This restaurant is run by the north korean embassy and is for sure not famous for the food, but indeed for the presentation as the staff has to sing and dance during the evening.

Khmer

There is always a lot more around you might think.

Stay tuned for more well picked stuff around the globe!