Frans Amsterdam in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (day 1)

The alarm went off at eight o'clock, after having slept less than three hours. My tilacje packed my travel bag, she could do that better than me. All chargers together, cables rolled up, all papers and receipts in the power pack pocket, T-shirts rolled up tightly, just as they should be.

I myself just throw things in and if necessary sit on top of it, then it fits, but this was a familiar example of Thai care. It was not allowed to be more than 7 kilos - which was not checked for, by the way -, so all electronics disappeared in the pockets of my very heavy jacket.

There was also assistance with showering, this lady does everything she can not to be forgotten. She needn't be afraid of that. We had breakfast as usual at The Haven, where people were surprised about the early hour at which we queued.

Check out at half past ten. Because I had brought forward my travel date to Cambodia by one day at the last minute, I actually left one prepaid night in the hotel unused. That's bad luck, they won't refund that. I knew that, but it was explained to me again in detail: The policy is that there is no refund for unused nights that have already been paid and, unfortunately, they certainly could not deviate from that. But, the boss had said, because I'm coming back next month, they could deduct the one-night rate from the mini-bar bill. Then it wasn't a refund, because they didn't give money back, so it wasn't in violation of the unrelenting policy. Another nice example of Thai logic and a nice spontaneous gesture, I didn't even ask for it. At half past nine we had coffee in the Wonderful 2 Bar, at ten o'clock tilacje went home and at a quarter past ten my taxi arrived.

I departed from Bangkok's old airport, Don Muang. That's not as crazy big as the new one, and there's actually nothing wrong with it. Smoking area near the gate, just die for that on Suvarnabhumi. A bus took the passengers from the gate to the plane, due to a lack of sufficient piers I think. Airasia's Airbus had a setup that belongs to a low-cost carrier. As many seats as possible, so close together. You know that in advance. And you don't get a wet cloth or newspaper or snack or drink, you don't get anything at all. I don't think that's necessary at all for a flight that would take less than an hour.

Yes, you will receive four forms to complete. An arrival/departure card, an application form for a visa on arrival, a medical certificate and a form for customs. Once you have filled that in, the landing will start again. The airport in Phnom Penh is small and well-arranged. You will be automatically guided through the visa office, where it is useful if you have a passport photo and 30 US$. In the corridor near the exit, all providers have a booth where you can buy SIM cards. I took one with 8.5Gb data for US$10. Once outside you can actually light up a cigarette right away and then you will of course receive the necessary offers for transport to the center. I declined them all politely, only to take an official airport taxi a little later. That would cost 9 dollars to the riverfront area, so I read on the internet, and they would try to charge 12 for it. That indeed happened and the man stuck to it, 9 dollars was the old price. I probably had an ear sewn on for $3. After more than half an hour we were there, and I got 15 dollars in change back. No tip of course.

The first things I noticed on the way here: Traffic drives on the right, so different from Thailand. If possible, there are even more motorized two-wheelers, which apparently pose a considerable parking problem. Some of the buildings look seriously neglected. That is probably not because the maintenance in Pattaya is so much better, but in Pattaya I think 95% of the buildings are less than 30 years old, while here the test of time has had a chance for a while. Most striking, however, is the large number of children kicking a ball on lawns or otherwise enjoying themselves outside together. In Pattaya, I see remarkably few children. This could be because the street scene there is mainly determined by tourists and ladies who work there and who often have children, but who have been placed with relatives in Isaan.

At half past five I moved into the River 108 Boutique Hotel, near the night market. I booked nine nights and they think that's a long time here. 'Oh, you stay long time sir!', said the friendly gentleman at the reception.

At eight o'clock to explore the immediate area. A tuk-tuk driver has already spotted me and is looking for a ride, or more than one. I had exchanged 100 euros into 100 US$ in Pattaya, and then I got another 300 Baht. So in the end at a rate of 1.076 if I do the math right off the top of my head. That's neat, at a mid-market rate of 1.097 and especially when you consider that the euros are first converted into Bahts, and then back into dollars. Spent 30 dollars for the visa, 10 for the Sim with data, 12 for the taxi, now 2 for cigarettes, so we had to change or pin. I did not come across exchange offices like in Pattaya, but I did find an ATM.

"Enter your 6-digit PIN."

Yes, I don't. Then just four digits and press enter. Everything went well, until at the end an error message came up, 'invalid transaction'. Then I get nervous. It was already warm and the ATM is in a glass cubicle, the sweat starts to run in streams. Again, again, no money. But walking further, around the corner I had seen another one. There was a group of six teenagers in front of it, who all had to pin and especially took all the time for it. I was getting hotter. Finally I could enter the boiling glass cubicle. Everything went pretty much the same here, I wasn't sure if I should be happy about that, but in the end two $100 bills came out. Later I found out that the first ATM didn't have a 'Maestro' sticker on the door and this one did. So pay attention.

Turn right twice and then I came to 104 street. A street of 100 meters with about 20 bars. I could walk all the way down the street without being yelled at anywhere. I have never experienced that in Pattaya. On the one hand it is quiet, on the other hand you almost start to wonder if you are welcome.
There's only one way to find out, inside. I chose the Air Force Bar. There I was the only customer, a cheer went up and six girls immediately hung around my neck. I couldn't get it much hotter now, high time for a beer. Heineken didn't have them. Ordered a "Cambodian" or something, it came in a can, for $1.75. They also had a bottle later. A lady drink comes in at $3.50. The two nicest girls got one, after which the rest drifted off. The two girls felt wetness and the sweat was neatly wiped away with wipes. It was clearly still a bit early, but that didn't spoil the fun. I still don't understand much of the English they speak here, it is completely incomparable with the Tengels in Thailand.

I immediately tell them that it is my first visit to Cambodia, otherwise they will notice that. One girl had no problem with extensive kissing, neither did I.

When I attempted to inquire how many dollars she wanted for long time she misunderstood me and the bill was drawn up.

I didn't want to barf yet, so thought it was fine and went ten meters further into the 104 bar. Also ordered a lady drink for two ladies here. The nicest girl didn't want to kiss, and to inquire about the prize the other girl had to step in. She didn't seem to leave the bar.

I was also the only customer here and then the welcome on arrival seems more like an organized robbery by a criminal gang, so I decided to have something to eat first. On the corner of 108 street and Sisowath Boulevard is café restaurant bar 'Fish', where I am supposed to have breakfast in the morning. I could probably also get a piece of meat there, I was hungry for that.

It became the Paprika Grilled Lamb Cutlets with Thyme Roasted Potatoes, for $14.60 plus 10% VAT. It is a bit of work to cut the meat loose, and then remove some fat and the texture also made it work meat, but it was a tasty bite.

It was now ten o'clock, I had slept three hours in 34 hours, time for a nap. At 04.00:30 I woke up. That was really too late to go on the road in this completely unknown city. I turned around one more time. The first rest day in XNUMX days.