First time Visitor to Cambodia and you have visions of Khmer Rouge and the Killing Fields, however the Cambodia of today is quite the contrary. It is changing FAST! Though Cambodia has been on the map for centuries it is a nation in its infancy.  Deprived for so long, its people long for education, infrastructure and the opportunity for a better life. Roads to major cities have now been completed cutting travel times in half, people are out in the streets around the clock when they use to lock themselves in at dark. Travel to the rural areas and you will always hear a cheerful hello from the children. Sometimes in the most rural location someone will want to practice English with you.

We look forward to serving you, and on behalf of myself and my staff at the Cafe California 2 & Guesthouse, (Hotel California) Phnom Penh, Welcome to Cambodia!

Because I like to get out and see what this wonderful country has to offer, discover new places and temples, you will benefit on insight to lessen your learning curve, save time and see many places that don't even get a mention in guide books. Many local expats dine in our restaurant and have plenty of insight as well!

A visa is required for entry into Cambodia. Arriving into the country by Air, visa applications are usually provided on flights and currently Bangkok Airways provides them in the waiting area prior to boarding the plane. Upon arrival at Phnom Penh (Pochentong) International Airport, you enter the terminal, cue at the desk on the right, provide your passport, application and one passport photo to the customs official. An official will stamp it and pass it down like an assembly line. When it gets to the end you pay $20.00US for a tourist Visa or $25 for a business visa.   Remember departing the country will also require a $25.00 dollar international departure tax.  

Overland border crossings seem to operate under their own set of rules. Expect to pay 1000 Baht (25 dollars) for a tourist visa.

After you have retrieved your luggage you will be greeted by a hoard of taxi and moto drivers eager to get your business. Don't let this intimidate you. A taxi will cost $7.00 to the hotel and the ride will take about 20 minutes. They all know where the hotel is located and if they appear to be confused, you tell them right next door to Ponlok Restaurant and they will realize you have a clue of what you are talking about and where you are going. 

Airport Taxi Scam Warning!!!

We encourage our visitors to use the airport taxi in order to give business to them. You have booked with us or maybe another hotel. Commissions are paid to taxis who bring customers to their establishments. We infact will pay a taxi commission if he brings us someone cold off the street, but we don't pay commissions to taxis when travelers have either booked us on the net or have done their own home work via word of mouth, guide books, internet etc. A taxi will do his best to convince you (sometimes to the point of really being annoying) to go to a place where he will receive a commission. Regardless of your staying with us or another establishment, kindly tell them you have a previous booking or you are a friend of the owner of the establishment or you are catching up with other travelers.

Upon arrival our friendly staff will greet  you and get you situated.  You will find our location easy to get  your bearings. From here you can comfortably venture out and return to the tranquil setting along the river front. A short walk to the south is the Silver Pagoda, Royal Palace and National Museum.  To the north is Wat Ounalom. Hop a moto and you are minutes away from the Central Market.

Overland Travel Scam Warning!!!

Traveling over land via Poipet to Siem Reap and from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh by bus:

Local tour companies are in the practice of turning a 6-8 hour journey into an all day affair. They will try to heard you in to restaurants and make the claim that the bus is broken, then will take the bus to another location and go through your luggage. After a few stops to add hours to the trip and put you into a fatigue state they will roll you into their hotel and guest house which is somewhat out of the way or down dark streets. You do not have to stay there. There are Moto dops and taxis available to take you to other hotels and guest houses. They might be a block away at times. You can also get a shared taxi from the border crossings for a slightly higher fee (about 20 dollars for a taxi from Vietnam border to Phnom Penh).

Money Scam Warning!!!

Some of these tour operators will tell you that you must change money to the local currency. This is false! The US dollar accepted through out the country, and the Thai Baht is accepted around Siem Reap, Koh Kong, Sihanoukville and many places in Phnom Penh.  The current rate of exchange is about 4000 RIEL to 1 US DOLLAR. These tour operators have been known to offer as low as 2500 RIEL for one dollar taking 25 to 50 percent of your money! Wait until you can exchange money with a reputable bank or hotel.

CAMBODIA  a brief introduction

Cambodia is a third world country! Things do not function as they do in your country. Thirty years ago in Phnom Penh there wasn't a doctor, lawyer, dentist, painter, teacher, street sweeper, plumber, builder...you get the point. They either fled or were killed off by the Khmer Rouge.  However the city functions relatively well. Good basic human instincts put things in order. Traffic at first looks like chaos but there is a method to it. A whole generation is missing and it will take probably another two generations to bring the country up to speed. Despite this, there is dynamic growth, and many entrepenuers (Heaven forbid when we get our first western franchise in the country). The people are finally enjoying basic living that they were deprived from for so long due to war. Tents for celebrations spring up periodically on streets for weddings, and bons (colorful Buddist celebrations for various reasons). They will set up loud speakers and make their celebrations known and the general rule in Cambodia is if you have a speaker you must play it at distortion levels! In the past, power failures were common due to lack of proper infrastructure. There was a period of about two yeas when we never had a power outage, but  in the last year power outages became more prevelant during the hot season as demand is growing faster than supply.  I have made Cambodia my home and I love it, but I live by two basic priciples, 1. Murphys Law, what ever can go wrong will go wrong at the worst possible moment. And 2. Negative expectations yield Negative results and Positive expectations yield Negative results. Understanding this come to Cambodia with an open mind and you will be surprised how rewarding your visit will be and like many others, perhaps we will start seeing you on a yearly basis!

Transportation services-Airport Taxi, Tuk Tuk, Moto, Taxi, Bus Service to other cities and locations, Motorcycle Rental, Riverboat to Angkor.

Tourist Attractions.

In Phnom Penh-Wat Phnom, Wat Ounalom, Toul Sleng Museum/Killing Fields, Royal Palace, National Museum, Shopping in the Russian, Central or Various markets around town as well as Soriya Center. Mekong Island (Koh Dach silkweaving island), Water Park, Go Cart Track, Apsara Arts Khmer Dance, Shooting Range (just beyond the airport).

Day Trips (sites with in 50K of town)-Oudong, Phnom Chissor, Tonle Bati, Wat Boran, Kien Svay, Phnom Tamau (Zoo), Phnom Baset and Wat Nokor Vimean Suor, Longvaek.

Siem Reap-Angkor Wat

Siem Reap boat tickets available for $25 dollars. The boat leaves at 0700 with transfer to the port. Approximately five hours. Water Levels in the Sap River fluctuate as well as the direction of the river. At the peak of the dry season flying or taking the bus could be a better option. Mekong Express runs the best bus service and leaves at 7:30, 8:30, and 12:30 daily. Cost is 10 US dollars and takes about 5 hours.

Other destinations we can help you plan for.

Sihanoukville (Kampong Som) at the coast, Kratie (Kracheh) where the Irawaddy dolphins are located, Kampong Cham with rubber plantations and temples,  Battambang with some great temple sites as well, Takeo and Kampot Province to the south.

Embassies and Visa Services:

Cambodia Tourist Visas are 30 days and can be extended for 1 month only.

Business Visa can be obtained upon entry to the country and can be extended up to one year (multiple entry).

Lao, and Vietnam Visas can be processed in about 24 hours and require additional passport photos. A Vietnam Visa will cost around 30 dollars, quite a lot cheaper than the 55 pounds some of my customers had paid in the UK.

Banking.

Traveler's checks and cash advances at most banks in town for a 2% fee. It is Always a good idea to exchange some dollars into smaller Riel as you will encounter Monks, Landmine victims, and 'tour guides' at various sites and markets. $1.00US is about 4000 Riel. Dollars are the primary currency in Phnom Penh. There are no coins which is GREAT! No heavy pockets or loose change. If you make a 2.50 purchase with 3 dollars, you will receive 2000 riel back in change. Thai Baht is accepted in areas closer to the Thai - Cambodia Border. SBC Bank operates a small satelite office next door to the hotel.

IMPORTANT! Locals do not like torn or damaged bills and will not accept them, even if they are taped up. Don't wad your money up and stuff it in your pocket. When taking a cash advance or cashing travelers cheques, check the bills the banks are giving you. Some times they are the worst at passing bills you will have the most trouble cashing in Cambodia.

ANZ Royal has Cambodias first ATM and is located about two blocks north of us. SBC Bank is in the process of installing an ATM as well and they are just two shops south of us.

Rooms

All of our rooms have one queen size bed. Cable TV, fridge, ensuite bathrooms with hot water and air conditioners. Electricity is 220V. We do not have extra blankets (we are in the tropics). We do not stock extra beds. Please respect the circuit breaker keys for the Air Conditioners. We are able to keep our cost down and pass this savings to you. Electricity is in short supply in the Kingdom and the demand is high and the electric company is well aware of this.

Dining.

Breakfast is on the house from 8 am to 11 am daily. Choose from our popular Huevos Rancheros to French Toast or Pancakes. The coffee is free all day for our guest. Just help yourself. We will always provide you with a good meal, our cooks are good prices are reasonable, but there are a variety of fine dining experiences to be enjoyed in the City. We can recommend quite a few.

Safe and valuable concerns.

Just ask and we can lock up your valuables in the safe. Petty theft does happen on the streets of Phnom Penh. Travel smart. Don't put all of your money and documents in a fanny pack and walk the streets. When going out at night, take only the amounts you will need and spread it around between your pockets.   While riding on the back of a moto or in a tuk tuk hang on to your goods tightly.

Room Refrigerators

Dont you hate getting DINGED by outrageous mini bar prices! I do too and I hate it when I have to bring in my own drinks from some mini mart.  Our mini bar drinks are priced at $1.00 per drink for your convenience.

Luggage

Many of our visitors come from cold climates or pack coats for those damn freezing flights! If you are taking a short trip to the beach, Kracheh to see the dolphins or where ever, we will be happy to store a bag for you until you return.

Laundry.

Just leave your laundry in the hamper provided in your room. The earlier we can pick it up the faster we can return it to you. Humid/rainy tropical conditions at times can put a damper (pun intended) on same day service. Just notify the staff and we will at least get you an outfit in time to hit the town in the evening. 1000 riel per item.

Massage.

After a long day there is nothing more relaxing than a good massage to work out those aches and pains. Two doors down from us is a massage parlor that specializes in foot and physical massage.  They will also come to the hotel to give you a massage in the privacy of your own room.

Photo Processing.

Film prices and processing are generally cheaper than in California. You might capture 'The Shot' and want to make an enlargement as well. Nice booklets to protect your photos and negatives are also provided. 

Digital Photography -  Photo shops will process pictures from a CD or digital storage devices.

Internet/Communications

Many competitive shops are with in walking distance. Prices range from $.50 to $1.00 an hour for Internet usage. (Remember we are on the opposite side of the world from the US East Coast. 12:00 noon here is 1:00 AM in New York during the summer and 12:00 AM in the winter). GMT + 7  Long distance phone calls can be handled at most internet cafes.

Night Life

We close up shop at 10:00PM (if we're lucky!) but, Phnom Penh offers a variety of nightlife to suit all interest. Dancing at Martini Pub, or Riverhouse Lounge, Shooting Pool in Cambodias largest rock and roll bar Sharky's, or more intimately at the Zanzibar & Rose Bar on Street 104. The Jungle Bar and DV8 bar are located one block north of California 2, Drinks at Dingo Bar on Street 108, Or have late night drinks at Howie's  Bar,  Heart of Darkness on Street 51 is a popular dance spot during the late night hours.  There are too many places for us to list but they are all listed in the Phnom Penh Pocket guide. Have a drink in our lobby and browse the Canby Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville guides, or Bayon Pearnik. Our staff should be able to recommend the newest Khmer karaoke hits, but that just might not be what you're looking for. Feel free to request a CD, or TV Channel.

Photos Galore

I have taken many motorbike trips around the country with locals and visitors. I have taken many pictures and have written accounts of my travels for a local magazine called the Bayon Pearnik. Adam Parker the Editor in Chief of the Magazine has been kind enough to post my photos on his website. I have many pictures on this site but if you want to read my written accounts or see about 3000 photos, visit The Bayon Pearnik website at www.bayonpearnik.com