jimmie50

Will be there for approximately three months, so I do not plan to travel with a large amount of cash for the duration. Definitely will be using ATM's. When traveling to Thailand, I know the large bills I carry for exchange need to be pristine. I always go to the bank in person prior to departure and specifically request brand new bills that have not been in circulation yet. That has always worked for me in the past, so plan to do the same for this trip. The only difference is I will be getting some smaller denomination bills this time as well, so those need to be pristine, too. Not a huge fan of brand new bills as they tend to stick together, but I just need to be extra careful when dispensing them. Hopefully, if there are any problems, Cam uses ACLEDA bank and should be able to navigate the system. In fact, he still has a stash of Baht he brought back with him from Thailand and has no problem using that to pay for things. He says people prefer Baht or USD over the Riel. The agency I plan to use to apply for the retirement visa will require cash payment with USD to submit with the application. This will be $300, so I think large bills should be okay. I find this interesting...similar to the fee when you enter the country...government requires payment in USD, not Riel. lol. Even their own government prefers USD!

Thanks for that tip. I did not think about Western Union. That will be a good alternative if I run into any problems. I have already notified the bank and credit card companies. That is just part of my normal routine any time I travel outside of the US. Cam uses ACLEDA bank and they have branches in Siem Reap and Battambang as well as many other locations including his hometown. He should be able to break any large bills. If nothing else, I think he can deposit the cash in USD directly into his account and then withdraw either smaller denominations or Riel as needed.

Trip to Battambang to visit family is currently underway. It seems the family they are staying with does not actually live in the city of Battambang, but a more rural area outside of the city. Internet service is lousy in their location, so our video chat was very frustrating as it kept freezing up. We eventually gave up and have just been texting. Six people traveled to Battambang on two motorbikes!!! I asked him why they didn’t take three motorbikes, but he said the women didn’t feel comfortable driving that far. Mind you, it is paved road and only about a one hour drive. So he and his father were the drivers, and the other four family members, all female, were the passengers. I was shocked when he sent me a video of him driving down the road with two people behind him on the motorbike. lol. I guess nothing should really surprise me…I just wasn’t expecting that. They will stay two days visiting with family. I was also a little surprised when he did a brief scan around the large open room with his phone showing me the family. They were beginning to prepare a meal and I could definitely make out an area designated as the kitchen. What I didn’t expect to see was just to the left of this a row of pens, each containing a very large pig. I counted 8 pens, so 8 large and noisy pigs in the same space where they were preparing food for dinner. If his father had over 100 chickens running around their yard, 8 pigs in a covered living area should come as no surprise. Obviously, I did not grow up on a farm.

Already done. I actually go in to my local branch and have them entered it into their computer system while I am standing there in front of them so I am 100% sure they are aware. I also go online and put a travel notice on my various credit cards, even though I may not plan to use them...but just in case. I certainly don't want to carry a large sum of USD with me in smaller denominations. That would be cumbersome indeed. When traveling to Thailand I usually only carry 50's and mostly 100's. I wasn't sure that was the smartest thing to do for Cambodia. If nothing else, I can get Cam to go to the local branch of his bank and exchange larger bills for smaller ones or Riel. If there is some sort of fee, it would probably be much less for him than the foreigner with no account walking in.

+1

I found this to be true with my ex-boyfriend's family in Taiwan, too. Whenever we were invited to someone's house for a meal, we always took some type of gift...usually a food or drink item such as wine or fruit. I do this in Thailand, too, when going to my friends. To be perfectly honest...that is how I was raised. Whenever we went to someone's house when I was growing up, my parents always took something for the host family. Nothing elaborate...sometimes something my mother had made...but we always took something.

Question for those of you who have been to Cambodia before. Cam has told me I do not need to exchange any USD for Riel before my trip. He said everyone accepts USD. Just bring that. However, from things I have read here, in expat groups on Facebook, and in travel books it is recommended to have some Riel for the markets and small local shops. I know some ATM's will dispense both USD and Riel. When I travel to Thailand, I always exchange a small amount of USD to Baht before the trip and then take new, large bills to exchange once in Bangkok at Xone or Superrich. So...should I exchange some USD for Riel prior to departure? If so, how much would you recommend? Is it better to carry smaller or larger USD? I don't think the local shops and markets will be able to make change for large bills. I am not planning on making any major purchases, so I am thinking fives, tens, and possible some twenties...but nothing larger. Would appreciate comments! I still find it interesting that when Cam is talking about buying things, he always refers to it in Baht or USD...he never mentions Riel. lol.

Confirmed that the travel medical insurance I purchase will cover me if I am injured in an accident, whether riding in a remork, taxi, rental car, motorbike, etc.

Well, it seems the trip to visit family in Battambang is temporarily on hold. Since they are taking a break from working on the fence/wall, Cam’s father needed to do some work with his brothers in the rice fields. His father has actually stayed overnight a couple of nights at the farm. I have no idea what those accommodations might be like. I suppose it is possible he stays with one of his brothers. They all work the farm together. I know they got some chemicals to ‘spray the grass’ as Cam put it. Anyway, they have been taking measurements to order the material they plan to put above the brick wall. I guess it is some sort of wire mesh. They are also going to order the materials to finish the fence across the back of the property. They still have plenty of sand, gravel and bricks to finish that section. But, they need to order more bags of concrete and also the steel rods. They need to allow for access to the property from the back fence, but Cam wasn’t sure if his father was just going to leave an opening or they would actually build a gate. They still hope to visit family…just put it off for some days while tending to the rice fields.

Actually, yes, he has. He even showed me pictures. The motorbike was relatively unscathed, but he was pretty bruised and banged up. He wasn't even traveling a long distance at the time. His sister and brother-in-law were visiting and the brother-in-law asked him to run to the nearby market and pick up some beer. I don't know that he was actually speeding that much, but it was raining and wet. I think he just got distracted and lost control. He claims that is the only time he has ever had an accident. I have no reason to doubt him since he willingly shared that information including pictures.

Good questions. I will double check the fine print on the insurance policy...may need to contact them and ask if I don't see anything in print.

Tourists are even able to rent a small tuk-tuk to drive around Siem Reap. However, you are still not allowed to rent a car. If you rent a car, you must rent the driver as well. Technically, you are supposed to have an International Driver's Permit to rent a motorbike or tuk-tuk, but Cam says they don't check it. Cambodian police are very aggressive about stopping people riding without a helmet, though. Helmets are required on motorbikes. They have two sizes on bikes...125cc and 160cc. Naturally, Cam has a 160cc while everyone else in his family has the 125cc. Told you...speed demon. lol.

The nearest embassy is in Phnom Penh, although they do send a Consular Service Team occasionally to Siem Reap. Any time I travel outside of the US I register with the State Department to receive notices if there is some crisis, catastrophe, war, etc. They would also alert via text and email of any upcoming visit by the service team. So, if we are living in Battambang I would need to either travel to Siem Reap to meet with this service team or travel to the embassy in the capital. Those are my only two options. There is a public hospital in Battambang, but not recommended for foreigners by the online expat group. There are two private hospitals that are recommended...Sovann Polyclinic and Handa Medical Center. Handa is the one most recommended as they seem to provide better care. Both have English-fluent doctors, though. This would be for routine care or in an emergency situation. Anything more serious would require a trip to Royal Angkor International Hospital in Siem Reap, which is part of the Thailand Bangkok Hospital Group. Major problems would most likely require a transfer to Bangkok...which is why I make sure I have health insurance that includes substantial allowance for evacuations. I cannot say for certain about social groups, but there is a very active Facebook expats group for both Siem Reap and Battambang. I am sure I can make some connections that way when I am on the ground, so to speak. Battambang actually has a very active art scene and several good museums. As for getting around, that will depend on where we live. Initially, these first few months we are staying in an Airbnb which is close to most ever I would need. Easy walking distance to most things, and if I need a ride I can always take a remork. Eventually, we may end up getting a second motorbike. That is very far off in the future. I am also trying to learn the language, but that is very difficult just using an app on the phone. I want to find some people there interested in doing language exchange during the day so that I can get lots of practice. English lessons for Khmer lessons. Just for fun. Not exchanging any money as I technically cannot work on a retirement visa and do not want to run afoul of the system.

Yes, something tells me that Cam is a bit of a speed demon. I will be hanging on for dear life I am sure. lol.

I had an interesting conversation with Cam today about education in Cambodia. Since they are taking a few days off from work, Cam has helped his oldest sister out by picking up her three boys at school. They all adore their Uncle Cam and he really enjoys spending time with them. I have read about the education system in several of the books I either purchased or borrowed from the library, so I had a general idea that there was no such thing as a free and public education. Anyone in his parent’s generation who has any education would have received it from the monks in the temples. This would have primarily been religious education. While his father is able to read and write a little, he is self-taught and never attended any type of school. His mother does not read or write. Cam is fortunate in that his parents thought education was important and he is also the youngest. Being the youngest, his parents were in a better position financially to afford to send him to school for nine years. His brother went to school for five years, and his three sisters went to school for two years each. All of the nieces and nephews that are school age attend school, so that importance of education from his parents did transfer to his siblings. The schools are considered public and fall under the authority of the Education Ministry, but the government only provides minimal financial support. So, to attend school the people must pay. I believe out of the 14 nieces and nephews, 10 of them are school age now so his siblings must pay to send them to school.

Well, since I will be on Cam's home turf and motorbike is his (and his families) main means of transportation, I am sure there will be many outings on the motorbike that will be slightly uncomfortable but unavoidable for me. We will need the motorbike in Battambang on a regular basis. I suppose I could take a bus, boat, or hire a car to take me and my luggage to Battambang, but Cam would still need to ride the motorbike there. Not sure I like the idea of traveling separately like that after traveling all the way from Denver to be with him. (I know...just call me lovesick! LOL) I am only aware of one person in his family who has any type of vehicle other than a motorbike for transportation and that is his brother. I believe he has a commercial truck of some type because of the construction business. They do have some motorized equipment they use on the farm for harvesting rice and sesame seeds...but my understanding is that is shared equipment with some of his father's siblings.

That seems to be a reoccurring theme based upon everything I have read.

According to Cam, there is no such thing as mandatory insurance for vehicles...other than commercial vehicles. There are a few private companies, but the cost is prohibitive for most people. I have asked the question, and Cam does not have insurance. There are companies in the US that will sell you a policy to cover liability and medical for international travel, and I am looking into that option. I have already purchased medical coverage that would cover me if I was injured in some type of vehicular accident. I am not sure if I would need liability coverage, since I will be the passenger, not the driver. Good question.

Since I will be staying for three months, I am hoping that we will be able to do a little exploring and sightseeing. Since this is home turf for Cam, he won't think it is anything unusual. I might need to do a little arm twisting. loll.

Correct...and many had professional careers back in Myanmar before coming to Bangkok.

I was surprised they had not cleared more plants away when they were digging the footers and pouring concrete. However, as I said before, I tend to keep quiet about such things. At one time, Cam's father raised chickens and would have as many as 100 chickens scurrying around the yard. I think I prefer the trees to the chickens. It will be interesting to see what happens to all of the plants when they start to demolish the existing house to make way for the new one. The temporary housing they are building is kind of nestled in amongst all of the greenery on the back of the property, so they didn't remove anything for that. Sometimes, it is best to adopt the old phrase "don't ask, don't tell" to avoid any disagreements. It really is between Cam, his brother and his father. My comments are really only worth 2 cents, and as we all know, the orange bobblehead has done away with the penny...which means my opinion is worth zero.

I guess I will find out soon enough. Cam will have the longer ride from his hometown to Siem Reap. We will meet in Siem Reap and stay there for a few days at first, then travel by motorbike to Battambang. He says he has made arrangements with a friend of his who works as a delivery driver to take the luggage to Battambang. We shall see. I certainly hope we don't have to travel one hour with me holding the bag all of the way on the back of a motorbike! LOL. The reminds me of some of the motorbike escapades I have seen in Thailand before...mother, father, three children, a dog and bags all on one motorbike! I feel a TikTok video coming...

Big Boys was not doing the advance ticket sales when I visited back in April/May. Had they instituted that system back then I probably would not have visited. As you said, we are all different, but I find the advance ticket sales very off-putting. That is why I have only visited Jupiter and Moonlight a couple of times compared to the other bars. I just don't care for that. I have yet to visit Tawan, to be honest. I believe on my first trip to explore they were closed or in some form of reincarnation. I am not into muscle at all, so it usually does not come to mind as a place to visit when I am trying to decide my evening activities. lol.

The host bar I am most familiar with is Rainbow Dragon. It is very near Dreamboy, Hotmale, Freshboys, Midnight Bar, and the infamous Foodland. Most of the young men who work there I would classify as twinks or twunks. At least when I was there in April/May the majority of the guys working there were from Myanmar. Don't know about now. As @12is12 said, the guys are there to host you. You invite them to sit with you, buy them a drink, and tip them for their time. Some are gay, some are straight. There is no hanky panky that takes place in the bar and the owner (American from California, btw...also owns another bar on Soi 4 across from Banana Bar) does not allow the guys to go off with customers during business hours..at least that is my understanding from both the guys and Shawn, himself (owner). Some will exchange contact information with you and agree to meet outside of the bar, but only during non-working hours. The young man I met here was definitely gay, very flirtatious, happy to exchange contact info and amenable to meeting privately during the daytime.

Good point.