Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for returning visitors
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Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for returning visitors
I'm coming back to KOW next week and I'm looking for some suggestions on what to do to make my stay more interesting. I've spent a few months in the country during two previous trips and want to explore the country further. What would you recommend doing for someone who already has some experience of the country?
Apart from the temples, aspara dance shows, and the circus - what is there to see and do around Siem Reap? Are there any locations in the province which are must-sees?
And what about Phnom Penh? Are there any new bars, restaurants, etc, which I should check out? I've been to Malis and Chinahouse but I'm more interested in grungier locales if that gives you a better picture. I'm not that interest in Ballsack Lane, but I'm not interested in 136 either, so is there anything new around Sundance and 172 in particular that's worth checking out? Is Garage open again?
And what about Battambang? I'm open to any suggestions here as I've never visited the town or its surrounds. Bars, restaurants, and activity suggestions are welcome.
I also wanted to ask about Mondulkiri during the wet season - is it accessible? Would it also be worth visiting Kratie and perhaps Kampong Cham? I have to admit I don't know much about these areas.
Are there professional fights that are worth seeing? Is there a Bokator competition Phnom Penh?
I'm coming back to the country to assess whether I still like it enough to potentially move there next year, so any suggestions would be appreciated.
Apart from the temples, aspara dance shows, and the circus - what is there to see and do around Siem Reap? Are there any locations in the province which are must-sees?
And what about Phnom Penh? Are there any new bars, restaurants, etc, which I should check out? I've been to Malis and Chinahouse but I'm more interested in grungier locales if that gives you a better picture. I'm not that interest in Ballsack Lane, but I'm not interested in 136 either, so is there anything new around Sundance and 172 in particular that's worth checking out? Is Garage open again?
And what about Battambang? I'm open to any suggestions here as I've never visited the town or its surrounds. Bars, restaurants, and activity suggestions are welcome.
I also wanted to ask about Mondulkiri during the wet season - is it accessible? Would it also be worth visiting Kratie and perhaps Kampong Cham? I have to admit I don't know much about these areas.
Are there professional fights that are worth seeing? Is there a Bokator competition Phnom Penh?
I'm coming back to the country to assess whether I still like it enough to potentially move there next year, so any suggestions would be appreciated.
Last edited by Kim Jong Un on Fri Jul 13, 2018 1:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for visitors who have done all the touristy things already
Kim Jong Un wrote:I'm coming back to KOW next week and I'm looking for some suggestions on what to do to make my stay more interesting. I've spent a few months in the country during two previous trips and want to explore the country further. What would you recommend doing for someone who already has some experience of the country?
Apart from the temples, aspara dance shows, and the circus - what is there to see and do around Siem Reap? Are there any locations in the province which are must-sees?
Nope
And what about Phnom Penh? Are there any new bars, restaurants, etc, which I should check out? I've been to Malis and Chinahouse but I'm more interested in grungier locales if that gives you a better picture. I'm not that interest in Ballsack Lane, but I'm not interested in 136 either, so is there anything new around Sundance and 172 in particular that's worth checking out? Is Garage open again?
Nope. Btw garage never closed.
And what about Battambang? I'm open to any suggestions here as I've never visited the town or its surrounds. Bars, restaurants, and activity suggestions are welcome.
Shitty place, forget about it.
I also wanted to ask about Mondulkiri during the wet season - is it accessible?
No
Would it also be worth visiting Kratie and perhaps Kampong Cham? I have to admit I don't know much about these areas.
Boring places. No bars. Best ignored.
Are there professional fights that are worth seeing? Is there a Bokator competition Phnom Penh?
Nope
I'm coming back to the country to assess whether I still like the country enough to potentially move there next year, so any suggestions would be appreciated.
Sihanoukville should do it for you.
Re: Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for visitors who have done all the touristy things already
Ignore Logos reply Its true that Garage never closed and there are no Bokator competition in PP but the rest 

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Re: Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for visitors who have done all the touristy things already
Siem Reap there is West Baray lake always a good day out especially if you cycle there, then the various lake tours and Mount Kulen are good - I'd recommend using Tara River Boat.
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Re: Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for visitors who have done all the touristy things already
Thanks for thattombraider wrote:Siem Reap there is West Baray lake always a good day out especially if you cycle there, then the various lake tours and Mount Kulen are good - I'd recommend using Tara River Boat.

lol. Sure. I need to brush up my Mandarin.logos wrote:Sihanoukville should do it for you.
So Mondulkiri is actually inaccessible at the moment?
And bars are good but I don't need them. Which smaller provincial towns are worth a visit?
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Re: Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for visitors who have done all the touristy things already
I wouldn't listen to Logos, Battambang is really nice (like a less busy non-porno dancing version of Siem Reap) and lots of things popping up restaurant and bar wise and a few sites like the Bat Cave and Lake.Kim Jong Un wrote:
And bars are good but I don't need them. Which smaller provincial towns are worth a visit?
you can get the boat to Battambang from Siem Reap which although taking around 8 hours it does go past a lot of the floating villages so you get to see them outside of a tour
From Battambang it is easy to do a day trip to Pailin (1 hour 20 min away) see the temple and the "Buddhist hell" then off to the nature reserve and waterfall of O'Tavao - best to use an English speaking driver from Battambang as tricky to have anyone who speaks any English in Pailin.
Kampong Thom also has a few decent things off the beaten track away from the ugly main town. A few suggestions on this new site https://www.yourcambodia.com/
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Re: Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for returning visitors
of course u can visit Mondulkiri and Banlung ( there some nice waterfalls and a lake ( about to be sold or has already)
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Re: Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for returning visitors
There's the Civil War Museum, I was there a couple of days back. Good if you like rusty old tanks and stuff like that.Apart from the temples, aspara dance shows, and the circus - what is there to see and do around Siem Reap? Are there any locations in the province which are must-sees?




Romantic Cambodia is dead and gone. It's with McKinley in the grave.
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Re: Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for returning visitors
Battambang is a great time. I highly recommend spending a day or two there.
Tips:
Unfortunately, I heard the Balcony closed. Shame, love that place. Also, do not waste your time or money on La Villa, super overrated.
Instead, check out Prasat Banan, the Bamboo Train, and Romcheik 5 Artspace. We really liked Jann Bai, great vibe with solid food.
Tips:
Unfortunately, I heard the Balcony closed. Shame, love that place. Also, do not waste your time or money on La Villa, super overrated.
Instead, check out Prasat Banan, the Bamboo Train, and Romcheik 5 Artspace. We really liked Jann Bai, great vibe with solid food.
Numbnuts all grown up
Re: Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for returning visitors
Bamboo train is the biggest tourist scam in Battambang (possibly the world) followed closely by that horrific boat ride to Siem reap.
I have no idea why anyone would do those.
I have no idea why anyone would do those.
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Re: Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for returning visitors
GT, what makes the Bamboo Train a scam? Call me a simpleton, but I loved it. I'll go again when I get back to Battambang.Gin&Tonic wrote:Bamboo train is the biggest tourist scam in Battambang (possibly the world) followed closely by that horrific boat ride to Siem reap.
I have no idea why anyone would do those.
Numbnuts all grown up
Re: Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for returning visitors
Because it doesn't have a hostess baroffshoresports wrote:GT, what makes the Bamboo Train a scam? Call me a simpleton, but I loved it. I'll go again when I get back to Battambang.Gin&Tonic wrote:Bamboo train is the biggest tourist scam in Battambang (possibly the world) followed closely by that horrific boat ride to Siem reap.
I have no idea why anyone would do those.

Never mind.
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Re: Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for returning visitors
Cheers. I always figured Battambang would be a bit quieter, but now that I'm older, I'm looking forward to checking it out.tombraider wrote:I wouldn't listen to Logos, Battambang is really nice (like a less busy non-porno dancing version of Siem Reap) and lots of things popping up restaurant and bar wise and a few sites like the Bat Cave and Lake.Kim Jong Un wrote:
And bars are good but I don't need them. Which smaller provincial towns are worth a visit?
you can get the boat to Battambang from Siem Reap which although taking around 8 hours it does go past a lot of the floating villages so you get to see them outside of a tour
From Battambang it is easy to do a day trip to Pailin (1 hour 20 min away) see the temple and the "Buddhist hell" then off to the nature reserve and waterfall of O'Tavao - best to use an English speaking driver from Battambang as tricky to have anyone who speaks any English in Pailin.
Kampong Thom also has a few decent things off the beaten track away from the ugly main town. A few suggestions on this new site https://www.yourcambodia.com/
This looks great. I'll definitely check it out.Lucky Lucan wrote:There's the Civil War Museum, I was there a couple of days back. Good if you like rusty old tanks and stuff like that.Apart from the temples, aspara dance shows, and the circus - what is there to see and do around Siem Reap? Are there any locations in the province which are must-sees?
One last question: which dentist would you visit in Phnom Penh if you needed a scale and clean? I'm overdue for one and would rather avoid paying Australian dental costs.
Cheers, guys. Even Logos for the laughs

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Re: Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for returning visitors
You could try Smile Clinic on 19 behind the palace, it's about $20.Kim Jong Un wrote: One last question: which dentist would you visit in Phnom Penh if you needed a scale and clean? I'm overdue for one and would rather avoid paying Australian dental costs.
Romantic Cambodia is dead and gone. It's with McKinley in the grave.
Re: Things to do in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang for returning visitors
If you want a great scale and clean then go to a hygienist over a dentist.Kim Jong Un wrote:
One last question: which dentist would you visit in Phnom Penh if you needed a scale and clean? I'm overdue for one and would rather avoid paying Australian dental costs.
Angela at European Dental on street 302 is Australian qualified hygienist with 18 years experience cost is $40