Things to do on the islands: Koh Rong boat trips

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Jessica Murdoch

Our guide to what to do on Koh Rong got to be so long that we’ve had to split it up into sections. Enjoy!

Want to explore remote beaches, visit local villages and nearby islands, snorkel over coral reefs, and fish with the locals while getting the best value for your money? Koh Rong has boat trip options to cater for everyone, from budget travelers to adventure seekers.

Budget travelers should go for the local longtail boat trips on Koh Rong, which include dinner.

Local Boat Trips

If you’re looking for an authentic local experience on a budget, the local boat trips cost only $10. While your boat captain may not speak English very well (or at all), life-jackets aren’t guaranteed and your experience may vary, these basic boat trips on longtail fishing boats (pictured above) offer a good budget option and run fairly well most of the time. Speak to your guest-house for advice on the most reputable companies to go with.

Price: $10
Schedule: Daily, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Activities: Snorkeling around Koh Toch Island, Fishing, BBQ, Sunset at Long Beach, Plankton Swim
What’s included: Fresh fruit snacks, BBQ on the boat, one beer, whiskey mixers, small bottles of fresh drinking water
Other things to know: Please bring sunscreen, towel, and a dry change of clothing. Additional beers available for purchase.

Ankounamatata offers snorkeling trips to Koh Rong Sanloem from Koh Rong.

Ankounamatata Boat Trip

Enjoy snorkeling and want a taste of Koh Rong Sanloem, without the commitment of spending a night there? Ankounamatata has a Western English-speaking tour guide and a clean, freshly-painted white longtail boat leaving Koh Toch Village daily. As local waters have been over-fished and hold little satisfaction for the optimistic fisherman, Ankounamatata is the only company excluding fishing from their boat trip and helping to preserve native wildlife.

Price: $20
Schedule: Daily, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Activities: Snorkeling around Koh Toch and Koh Koun nature conservation island, two-course lunch at M’Pai Bay restaurant, exploring local village at M’Pai Bay on Koh Rong Samloem, optional beach games at Suns of Beaches or Coconut Beach, bonfire and sunset at Nature Beach, nighttime plankton swim

What’s included: Fresh fruit, lunch, two beers, (nearly) unlimited whiskey and mixers, fresh drinking water, cocktail at sunset

Other things to know: Please bring sunscreen, flip-flops, towel, and something to cover up in M’Pai village. Free seasickness tablets available if required. Must be taken 1 hour prior to departure. A small amount of money is recommended if you wish to have a cheap massage on Coconut Beach, or buy local snacks at M’Pai Bay, or additional beers. No refunds if cancelled after 10 a.m. on the day of the trip.

Go on a Koh Rong boating adventure with Adventure Adam!

Adventure Adam Boat Trip

Want to really see and experience Koh Rong Island? Adventure Adam runs three boat trips a week, with every trip a unique adventure. If conditions permit, you may get to go around the whole island. Each trip includes exploring a local village and spending time on remote beaches that the other boat trips do not usually visit and may also include unique experiences such as visiting other islands, waterfalls, and jungle areas.

Price: $25
Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Activities: Snorkeling, guidance and information, explore less-touristed locations, fishing, BBQ, explore Koh Rong beaches, beach games, visit local village on Koh Rong, sunset, plankton swim

What’s included:
Fresh fruit and snacks in morning and afternoon, free bottled water, two beers, four bottles whiskey and mixers, BBQ lunch

Other things to know: Please bring sunscreen, flip-flops, and towel. Guys will need a t-shirt and women need something to cover up shoulders and knees in the local Cambodian villages. Customers should have breakfast before meeting at 9 a.m.

Sandbank Boat Trip

New to the scene, Sandbank on Longset (4K) Beach is running 3 boat trips a week on alternate days to Adventure Adam, with each trip exploring different parts of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem, conditions permitting. The trip starts in front of the Sandbank Restaurant in the middle of Longset Beach, with pick up at other places on Longset or Koh Toch Main Village possible on demand. They publish on Facebook if they can’t go for any reason, and offer a full refund if they must cancel.

Price: $25
Schedule: Three days a week, each to a different location. All tours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays go around Koh Rong, Fridays go to eastern Koh Rong, and Sundays go around Koh Rong Sanloem.
Activities: Visit a local village, visit other beaches, fishing, snorkeling, BBQ sunset, nighttime plankton swim

What’s included: Fresh fruit, BBQ, 3 beers or soft drinks

Other things to know: Please bring sunscreen, flip-flops, and a towel. Guys will need a t-shirt and women need something to cover up shoulders and knees in the local Cambodian villages.

If you’re more comfortable on a bigger boat, try The Islander.

Islander Boat Trip

If local longtail boats aren’t for you, then look no further than ‘The Islander’. Equipped with a bar, kitchen, DJ, washroom and even a slide, this triple-decker party boat has a capacity of 150 people and offers a more comfortable boat trip option.

Price: $25
Schedule: Daily, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Activities: Snorkeling around Koh Toch, fishing available, sunset at Long Beach (Sok San Beach), nighttime plankton swim

What’s included: Unlimited fresh water, tea, coffee, two alcoholic drinks, fresh fruit snacks, vegetarian meal on the boat and fried fish (if you catch them!)

Other things to know:
Please bring sunscreen, towel, and a dry change of clothing. Additional drinks available for purchase (so bring cash).

Review: Giant Ibis Bangkok to Siem Reap direct bus

Posted on June 7, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

Until recently the only direct bus going between Bangkok and Siem Reap was run in conjunction with the Thai government and featured a fleet of mostly older buses; all other companies were forced to change buses at the border. Giant Ibis, on the other hand, offers a fully direct bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap (and vice-versa) that allows you to keep your baggage on the bus while you go through border control. I took the Giant Ibis from Bangkok to Siem Reap recently and thought it was a welcome addition to the route.

Get from Bangkok to Siem Reap on the Giant Ibis direct bus.

tl;dr Excellent ride. A few bucks more, but worth it. Book a ticket now or read on for more information

Giant Ibis is the most popular bus company in Cambodia with tourists and expats who value safety—the buses have seat-belts, and the drivers (usually) do not drive at outrageous speeds, which make them unique among Cambodian bus companies. Although the Nattakan/Transport Co. buses are not bad in this regard, Giant Ibis still as a few things that set them apart.

Continue reading →

Asian Street Food Smarts

Posted on May 18, 2018 by MTC guest author

By Robyn Eckhardt

Smoky chicken sate plucked from a grill and dipped in sweet-spicy peanut sauce in a Jakarta alley. Steamed ground rice and jaggery cakes eaten from a banana leaf on a street corner in Penang. A mound of sticky rice drizzled with coconut cream and topped with juicy mango slices spooned up at a stall in a Chiang Mai market. For the Asia-bound traveler keen to know the region’s diverse culinary cultures, these are essential experiences.

Num krok, made from rice flour, coconut milk, and spring onions, being sold on the streets of Siem Reap.

In this part of the world the term “street food” (or “hawker food,” as it’s referred to in Malaysia and Singapore) denotes not just a cheap and quick way to fill one’s belly. It also describes a repertoire of dishes prepared by experienced specialists, dishes rarely duplicated successfully in restaurant kitchens. Eating on the Asian street offers the opportunity to observe cooking techniques up close and to engage with strangers over a meal in a way that would be difficult in a proper brick and mortar eatery. Continue reading →

Cambodia Gay Pride

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

This month the 2018 Cambodia Gay Pride week is set to be better than ever, with a weekend packed with events in Siem Reap leading into a week of celebrations in Phnom Penh.

The 2018 10-day event will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, increase local acceptance, and raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues in Cambodia.

2018 Cambodia pride comes to Temple Town for 2018!

Friday, May 11th – Siem Reap

7 p.m.
To kick off Cambodia Pride 2018 The Hangout is hosting ‘Absolutely Dragulous’ a drag competition that promises a good time for all. All profits go to local NGO A Place To Be Yourself (APTBY) For more details, see the Facebook event page.

Saturday, May 12th – Siem Reap

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
On Saturday morning head to Golden Gecko Villa for the ‘Hot Buns Sausage Sizzle.’ Entry costs $5 and includes lunch and a swim. Come and decorate your tuk tuk for the Gay-Mazing Tuk Tuk Race. More info on their Facebook event page.

2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Join the ‘Gay-mazing Tuk Tuk Race,’ a 2.5 hour scavenger hunt around Siem Reap. The cost is $15 per team. Register in advance online.

5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
If the Gay-mazing Race has gotten you all hot and bothered, head to the Lub D pool party for a cool down. Check the Facebook event for more info.

9:30 p.m. until late
Head straight to Barcode for the evening’s entertainment at the 1st Pink Party. Get the event info on Facebook.

Sunday, May 13th – Siem Reap

9 a.m. to noon; 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
On Sunday drop by A Place To Be Yourself (APTBY) for their open house and find out how they are helping to support Siem Reap’s LBGTQ+ community. Find out more.

1 p.m.
Head to Rambutan Resort for a lunch-time BBQ. Tickets cost $18 for all-you-can-eat poolside barbecue, and all proceeds go to APTBY. Details on their event page.

9 p.m.
To wrap up the weekend Barcode is hosting a Candyland party, where they suggest patrons will be able to ‘taste the Siem Reap rainbow.’

To find out more about the Siem Reap pride events, subscribe to the ‘I Am What I Am – Siem Reap page on Facebook.

Blue Chilli cabaret show. The Cambodia LGBT community goes all out for pride week+ in Phnom Penh.

Wednesday, May 16th – Phnom Penh

10 p.m.
Street Party. PoC, (formerly PoPP) are known for their great parties. They’ve added an extra bar and are spilling out into the street with their yearly Cambodia pride party. Free food, lots of enthusiasm, and a diverse crowd make this an excellent way to start Phnom Penh’s pride week.

Thursday, May 17th – Phnom Penh

6:30 p.m.
Pride Popcorn Time aka Movie Night. Major Cineplex Soriya will be screening Love, Simon, a sweet, teenage gay coming of age story. $3 entry.

9 p.m.
Jungle Party at Space Hair Salon and Bar. The undeniably handsome staff of the Space Hair Salon will be dressed like wild animals for the jungle party, and so should you! Head to Space for their yearly pride party that never fails to impress.

Friday, May 18th – Phnom Penh

7 p.m.
Heaven Party. Cambodia’s only lesbian bar invites the entire LGBTQ+ for the ‘heaven party.’ Unicorn Bar Cambodia have not released any information on what that entails, so go be surprised!

9 p.m. until late
Pride It Out Party at Blue Chilli. Head over to Blue Chilli where they’ll be having a “sexy muscle boy show” as well as a Cambodian drag, diva, and dancers performance, plus free condoms and HIV testing. This event is consistently excellent, taking over Street 178 in front of Blue Chilli and this year is sure to be just as good.

Saturday, May 19th – Phnom Penh

11:30 a.m.
Pride Brunch at Feel Good II Cafe & Coffee Roasters. Feel Good 2 is doing a special gay pride brunch with a gorgeous set menu for only $15. Bloody marys and mimosas will also be on offer and $1 from each drink sale will be donated to CCT for HIV outreach in Battambang. You must make a reservation in advance, as seating is limited. Call 078 866 651.

2 p.m.
The Amazingly Fabulous Race. Join this tuk tuk race around Phnom Penh which will be visiting various LGBT venues and organizations. This year promises to be bigger, better, and more fabulous than last year! Check the Facebook page for more details and to sign up for a team.

2 p.m.
Pool Party at Vehaa វេហា. Billing itself as “Phnom Penh’s most extravagant pool party,” Vehaa Sky Bar invites all comers to put on their hottest swimwear and go for a dip.

9 p.m.
It’s Raining Men! Party at Toolbox Bar. Featuring the best all-male dance show in Cambodia (or so they say, you be the judge!), Toolbox is having an ‘It’s Raining Men’-themed party, which means if you show up wet from the pool party, you’ll fit right in.

11:30 p.m. until late
Late Night Party at Heart of Darkness. Heart of Darkness, Phnom Penh’s preeminent gay club, hosts a pride night bash. Last year they featured a “bare-chested beauties” show, drag acts from Blue Chilli. $5 cover charge includes one free drink.

Sunday, May 20th – Phnom Penh

3 p.m.
Cooldown Pool Party. Rambutan Resort and Arthur&Paul join forces again to host a pride closing party that will feature drinking, swimming, and sauna.

Monday, May 21st – Phnom Penh

7:50 p.m.
Nerd Night LGBT Special. The Factory Phnom Penh is hosting a special Nerd Night (for those who have never been, they are passionate presentations of 20 slides, 20 seconds each in the Pecha Kucha style) that is LGBTQ+ themed.

If you know of additional events that should be listed here, please contact us.

What’s going on with work permits in Cambodia?

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

Update Apr 5, 2018:

They’ve extended the deadline for work permit applications until April 30th. This is handy because they never officially announced the previous deadline. Unfortunately, the extension does not include an amnesty for previous years’ fines as it did in 2017. They have also announced that employers will be fined $630 for employees who do not have a work permit and employees will be fined $10 per day for overdue work permit extensions.

So if you haven’t gotten a work permit, now is probably the time to do it. The cost is $100 per calendar year that you have had an EB visa (formerly the “ordinary” or “business” visa) and $100 for the current year. If you work for an employer, they need to have applied for a quota for foreign workers. If your employer neglected to do this, you will need to apply as a self-employed worker.

Those who are self-employed report that their applications are being rejected multiple times for not having a business license. Those who persevere have reported that on the fifth or tenth attempt, they have gotten approved. So keep trying. If you are self-employed, do not list a business name or they will (understandably) request a business license. Those who have been approved report entering “freelance/freelance/salary 0/category X (other) 100 (other)” on their application.

I can’t keep up with the changing work permit information or with emails I get from readers asking for advice on their situation, so if you have questions or need updates, please visit the Cambodia Visa and Work Permit Group on Facebook. Continue reading →

The best bars in Siem Reap

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Jen Green

Temple Town, as Siem Reap is fondly known, has no shortage of watering holes no matter the season. And while Pub Street is the center of the alcohol-fueled action, our favorite bars in Siem Reap are off the main drag. Read on to find out which are the most famous (and infamous) bars, and where the hidden speakeasies, best craft cocktails, and cheap margaritas are in Siem Reap.

Long’s Bar features wonderful cocktails and air-conditioning. What more could you ask for?

Outer Pub Street / Old Market

Long’s Bar

Located on a small alley between Belmiro’s and Miss Wong’s, Long Bar is a stylish, comfortable bar with great drinks that has attracted a dedicated expat clientele who sing the praises of their friendly staff and powerful air conditioning (which is less common in Siem Reap than you might think). There are always drink specials on the board, and happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring $0.50 draft beers to compete with its neighbor and $2.50 cocktails. Our favorites are the Kampot Pepper Martini and Earl Grey G&T, with plenty of free refills of roasted peanuts with garlic and basil. Continue reading →

Review: The InterContinental Gym, Phnom Penh

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

You’ve requested more Phnom Penh gym reviews, and I’m here to deliver. When I first moved to Phnom Penh I joined the gym at the Great Duke (formerly the Intercontinental Hotel). The Great Duke gym is seriously underrated and probably Phnom Penh’s best value, high-end gym.

Fredrik is happy to show you how to get muscles as big as his.

The gym was set up by Fredrik Carlswärd and Maria Ahlberg, married Swedish bodybuilders and fitness freaks. They are no longer there, but are the reason that the Great Duke gym is so great–it’s was put together by people that actually work out! So while the gym is small, it has everything you need to get fit. Continue reading →

How to get from Phnom Penh to Kampot (and vice-versa)

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

Not too long ago, getting from Phnom Penh to Kampot by bus was a complete headache. Buses detoured to stop in Kep on their way to Kampot, making the trip closer to five hours long. Now, though, there are direct mini-buses from Phnom Penh to Kampot that make the trip in around three hours, and taxis are even faster.

Going from Phnom Penh to Kampot? Here’s how to get there.

Taxi

You can get a taxi from Phnom Penh to Kampot for between $35 and $50, although the prices can rise during public holidays (and that not so public holiday, Chinese New Year). Taxis are generally very clean Toyota Camrys that can seat four passengers. However, most have very little room for baggage, so if you have a lot of baggage, you may want to look into getting a van. Taxi drivers like to affirm their existence by driving as fast as possible and you’ll be able to make the trip in less than three hours. You can book a taxi online in advance, or at any travel agent or guesthouse in Phnom Penh or Kampot, although they will add a surcharge. Larger CRV or SUV taxis cost around $60. They seat four passengers more comfortably than the regular taxis. Continue reading →

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