vinapu

Preah Vihar, Banteai Samre and Ta Som for me please, not that I have anything against Bayon or Angkok Wat indeed other that they are too popular and thus usually crowded. In 2016 I skipped Bayon entirely for that reason, this time is was quite empty but I was early

local boy fresh from taking bath in the moat by North Gate Eastern Gate two corner temples

I spent a lot of time in two most important -Bayon and Angor Wat and did bit hair rising walk along the walls of Angkor Thom (city with Bayon at the centre ), which is my favorite part of every Siem Reap visit. Why hair rising ? it’s always very quiet and at least three people on the way including one policeman told me ‘ be careful about the snakes “. I did not see any but made a point to watch anyways. Snakes or not , I still recommend that walk to everybody and wall is surprisingly well preserved with ruins of temple at each corner and two gates ( West and East ) very rarely visited apart from three (Victory, North and South )where tourist transit goes through. It’s flat but long as each side is about 3 km long for 12 km total so make sure to carry water , some snacks and umbrella and of course in case of snake encounter ,the will. Bayon Western Gate from inside the walls, then from outside them and how is seen from the walls themselves moat and the walls

Ta Som Preah Khan view from Bakheng

Banteai Samre Pre Rup Neak Pean

On our way back I visited Banteai Srei temple, smallest of Angkor temples but intricately carved and it was good idea as she is always crowded but in the afternoon , hour before closing there were only few people there . Going back we stopped in so called sugar village to purchase jar of palm sugar Banteai Srei below Rest sightseeing on other 4 days was done by tuk-tuk , Kompong Pluk village on stilts on Tonle Sap lake and numerous temples list of which is like litany : Prasat Kravan, Pre Rup, Banteai Kdei, Banteai Samre ( my favorite , always empty as it’s bit off way ) , Neak Pean , Ta Som , Preah Khan. I climbed Bakheng but did not stay for sunset, crowds were already gathering for spectacle as it’s one of most popular spots far that. Kompong Pluk on our way to Komplong Pluk , on temple grounds I noticed village crematorium which my driver cheerfully called ' oven'

there were few people, even two ladies from Trinidad from all places but I was there mid week at end of Oct around noonish hours. No , this time I did not go to neither Koh Ker nor Bang Melea, I was there last time in 2016 on my way from Prasat Bakan (Preah Khan Kompong Svay). Koh Ker for those interested below

yes , sometimes it must be stranger who alerts us about something unusual in our looks. Even better if that stranger is in some position of authority ( I was supervisor of both spouses and one who actually hired them so they had some respect ) I know cases when strangers alerted about possible jaundice and leukemia, in both cases they were spot on. Leukemia case did not have happy ending though as person in question denied it until it was too late.

actually now it's easy as road is paved all the way. When I was in Cambodia first time , back in 2001 and asked about trip there all I got was know on the forehead, there was no passable road to Anlong Veng and not only mines but also remnants of Khmer Rouge remained danger there. Now all you need is to hire car or join a tour if you find one running. Then underneath the mountain is visitor center where you buy motorbike ticket for 10$ ot you can rent a car for 20$ to take you up to the temple. Road up the mountain is very steep at places so ride is exciting . Then all one needs to do is just walk around, it's pretty vast area. Monumental Staircase is what you probably climbed from Thai side, entry from Cambodian side is on top of staircase right by so called Gopura VII. pictures below, stairs and Gopura VII

years ago upon returning to work from 3 weeks holiday I noticed that one employees lost weight in such a short period. I called his wife, also employee, and asked if she noticed that. She confirmed but that convinced her to drag him to the doctor for tests. It was cancer. He was treated and survived

dogs barking at night and cocks (animals) making their morning noises but can't say it bothered me, my condo faces 16 lane highway , LOL

that too but I'm realistic, who cares about ruins ? Everybody including me likes more juicy stuff

lucky you

more tomorrow

Other car trip was to Kbal Spean , riverbed carved with hundreds lingas but timing was unfortunate, after night’s rain water was high and lots of carvings were poorly visible. To get there there's nice 40 mins walk through the jungle. I visited it on my way to sacred mountain Mount Kulen where upon arrival I was offered trip to some remote places accessible only by narrow paths for motorbikes only. Driver wanted 20$ for the whole circuit , pictures looked enticing but what made me take his offer was comment I saw on internet “ very interesting adventure but not for old people “ Moment I saw it I was buyer, fuck whoever wrote it. KFC man rules , no? Not that it was entirely wrong as it was shaky ride but worth every penny and adventure indeed and can be undertaken only by motorbike.

Next day was Preah Vihear which I already visited before but that temple being separate UNESCO site seated dramatically atop of mountain is worth going to any time. Fact that it was fought over with Thais quite recently (tranches are still visible ) adds to the drama. For those in Bangkok, there’s replica of her in Muang Boran park in Samut Prakan among other architectural gems of Thailand. Driver sensed perhaps that 90 $ he charged me yesterday was too low so asked for 130 $ to go there, still less than I paid last time. temple is on that mountain view from the top I met family

So as you can see above fun still can be had in Siem Reap. But make no mistake , evening meets with boys were just side business. My main goal was sightseeing and number one goal was Banteai Chhmar temple about 60 km north of Sisophon. This is last from big Khmer temples I never visited. It’s vast complex but quite ruined even for Angkor standards, still warrants 2-3 hrs drive on way and that 90$ outlay. Time there was spoiled by some festivities in nearby village accompanied by deafening music which was heard in Siem Reap and Poipet and perhaps in Kuala Lumpur too I’m sure. few impressions from Banteai Chhmar and loud festivities

room at Royal Crown room at Men's Resort bathroom

this trip continues in that thread https://www.gayguides.com/forums/topic/38619-guys-and-ruins-ruins-and-boys-trip-to-cambodia-in-oct-2022/

As for fun available in Siem Reap now I found 3 massage places ( Men’s resort, Gecko and 168 massage ) and one bar , Barcode. And of course Grindr worked there as well ( I don’t use other apps for now , perhaps in future I will ). Massage at Men’s was very professional, costly at 26$ for 1.50 hrs session and it was just that , very good massage , no extra’s. May be I was again not brave enough to signal or masseur was not interested in any of that , anyways this reflected my previous experience there few years ago. Saying that they must be popular as day before I went there around 8 pm and was told all guys are busy and there’s 1 hour wait involved. Gecko massage is located on main street leading from Old Market and is of mixed staff but guy there I asked for massage knew his job very well, ahem, and I had very pleasant time there and with him , massage 15$ for 1.5 hr, tip twice as much , bit high but he caught me in heat of the moment with request. Anyways I’m not one to haggle about 5 $ or even 10$ . My headquarters when comes to guys was 168 Massage, I found it on my first night when I went to check if Hatha Khmer is still there , it turned out it was replaced by 168. It’s on side street by roundabout past Old market. Massage 10 $ ( 40000 riels) , min tip 20 $ ( 80 000 riels). I went there six evenings in row, my all there with exception of first. Each time had different guy but experience was uniformly great with good massage and ample extras. Guys congregate behind glass and curtain, similar to old Hero experience in BKK, all rather guy next door to hunky types, exactly what I like. I tipped each uniformly 100 000 riels (25$ ), well deserved. Funniest was third encounter on Wednesday ( I was there Sunday to Sunday ), mamasan told me they my chosen one just started today and I’m his first customer. Which was no doubt truth as he was so excited that upon entry to the room where I laid already ready for oil massage i.e. naked he did not bother to close door. He did when I pointed there. After that all went very well, he knew how to massage, who cares about door closing skills. And was not shy at all. I developed evening routine there, after massage I had banana pancake on the corner and then through Pub Street I went to Barcode bar. There were two days of exception as at that time at least bar was not open every day and was closed I guess Mon and Wed (please confirm if you are there ) . There’s no longer any gay oriented bar on Pub Str, no harm done as street was extremely noisy so all I did every night it was just fast stroll through. Other gone venue was Barcode massage and I say it with bleeding hear as my last time there 5 years ago I got great guy from there who accompany me on trip to Prasat Bakan (most remote from all Angkor temples, called also Preah Khan Kompong Svay ) and was tasked with warning my bed almost nightly. Barcode has continuous show for good 3 hours , alternating resident dancers with resident ladyboys. Audience is mixed , I saw elderly couples , your girls alone and in company but everybody behaved, no screaming girls infesting some Pattaya and Bangkok bars. Few very handsome waiters and on my first night at departure I tipped one of them whole 5$ hoping next day he will remember me. Such sophisticated plot worked as indeed next time he greeted me as soon as I showed up and after few complements from me about his handsomeness we arranged for visit in my room after hours. It involved some drama as initially he declined, only to Line me later that he changed his mind. Sweet taste of dollar denominated tip I guess. He was one who forced me to wake up receptionist at Men’s. I was hoping for repeat during day next day but it did not work for him for some reason. There was another guy encounter earlier, on my first night at Barcode I recognized guy I saw previously on Grindr and he was one who draw my attention there with nice face and built. In flesh face was as nice but he turned out to be more diminutive than I imagined which did not stop me from glancing toward him until he noticed and showed empty chair beside him. He had drink already, we exchanged Line with promise of future contact. Future was closer than I imagined as I got message from him as soon as he left bar. Question was ‘ what hotel you are staying ? ” . Only looking stupid I knew what it means so my answer was “ Royal Crown, do you want to see my room ? “ to an answer : “ yes, tonight ? “ and that being me next question was ‘ How much?”. We met in front of hotel and I had very good time , I even asked about long time option but he declined as he was supposed to go to work in the morning. Not only good looking but also smart and good conversationalist. I don’t think he liked me that much though , not only because that declined long time but also when he saw me at bar o subsequent nights he did not make any effort to approach me which I don’t hold against him as he was obviously popular with younger patrons, he, he.

My apologies to those who care I promised second part a while ago but I was busy with other travel and some social functions and only now have time to continue. As I said after 3 days in Phnom Penh I went for full week to Siem Reap. As lover of old buildings and ruins I must say Siem Reap for me is close to ultimate destination owing to number of crumbling buildings spread over large territory. During that week tourist stuff was more important to me than, eternal shame on me, boys. Saying that I haste to say that with exception of first evening , none of he following six went without romantic stuff . Getting from airport to my hotel was easy, I was planning to go outside gates where always some tuk-tuk drivers congregate but on my way was stopped by some driver who offered me ride to hotel for 9$ which is upper end of price for that service but was smart enough to finish his sentence with statement that he has also car if I want to go somewhere further. I was prepared so asked him right away ‘how much to Banteai Chhmar?’ 90 $ was much less than expected so deal was sealed. More about that later, boy stuff first as this is what readers are waiting for, not a pile of old stones. Owing to good offer on Agoda my first 4 night were at Royal Crown followed by three at Men’s Resort. Royal Crown markets itself as 4 if not 5 stars and it is quite shiny with two pools , breakfast is included and room was very spacious and nicely furnished. It’s across the river from Old Market. There are two supermarkets just steps from hotel and there was no problem with visitor. Men’s resort is little gay enclave in hidden soi north of National Highway 6 which is Siem Reap’s main drag but it’s only 5 minutes walk from said Hwy so hardly remote. Wat Po Lanka as well as town’s only Catholic Church are in close proximity and National Museum (closed when I was there ) is nearby. They offer massage and there’s sauna with adjacent maze on ground level, pool and all staff are males. For lazy or rich types there’s always tuk-tuk or two parked at front so getting to the city is cheap and easy. Room had a view and all conveniences but had that industrial feel with concrete floor , bit different from opulence of Royal Crown but quite similar to one I had in Phnom Penh at Saravoan. I liked their breakfast and to this day I recall taste of fresh baguette and heavenly tasting jam, best I had in generation or two. As for more interesting stuff there I had one massage there before I moved in but after that did not participate in any internal activities in resort. I’m not sauna person and somehow either I did not know how to approach guys working there or they skillfully ignored me but for me that resort was just hotel without any extras. Perhaps I should be more forwarding, I just don’t know but did not click there. No problem with external guest other than necessity of waking up night shift receptionist as gates were closed but 10000 riel / 2.5 $/ note soothed his inconvenience – my initiative , he did not ask for anything, perhaps because was too sleepy, lol. to be continued below

with new generation of gay tourists name 'Twilight' does not resonate as much as with us oldies with good memory. But " Queen Club " as bar name ? For me it's like name of bar with fem bottoms only

they do , I'm one of them, but still it should be customer decision , not masseur's. One of Tawan boys I off quite regularly tried the same as soon as he entered room in my hotel. My answer was " 1500 baht ' with outstretched palm. He got the message and become cuddly all of the sudden. Goes without sayin that in few minutes I offered to massage him, free of charge. His answer was equally smart : "but you tip me as always? "

so now we have two UNESCO recognized places in Silom area : Neilson Hays Library and Foodland Patpong restaurant

welcome to a heavenly gates anyways