2 hours ago, daydreamer said:

Why was hotel next door to the bar a bad idea? I understand that Space Hair boys are not offable during working hours, but aren't they free to do what they want when the bar closes, like the Rainbow Dragon boys in Patpong?

They are free to do what they want outside of bar and working hours but fact is , it was clear prospective guy lost his enthusiasm upon learning I'm just upstairs. Perhaps he did not want anybody from bar to see he is entering or emerging from hotel , no matter what time - just my guess. Due to language barrier we couldn't discuss issue at depth

7 minutes ago, vinapu said:

Perhaps he did not want anybody from bar to see he is entering or emerging from hotel , no matter what time - just my guess.

I agree.

Also, just about all the guys who work there are straight and probably won't go to any hotel, not just one next to the bar.

Plus, they may not want their friends in the bar to see them working as a prostitute. It's not that kind of bar,

Day 9

 At 5.30 am , phone started making noises so I did quick refreshing, prepared some coffee, finished packing that little I carry and walked to train station 10 minutes away.

 Few words about Aurora Delight hotel , not really luxurious but for a price certainly adequate. AC and shower worked , they provided a kettle but not tea , coffee, sugar , water etc. Location was clean and quiet despite it being very central. Safe worked but it was probably few years ago.

 There are two trains leaving in the morning , 6.40 to Battambang and 7.00 to Sihanoukville  so it pays to make sure  one boards proper one. Once inside , I was impressed. Thore were refurbished former Hokkaido Railway carriages and certainly both classes were quite comfortable with 1^st class  being very comfortable.

 What I liked the most  was , at least for those seating in the first car, ability to observe  tracks train was rolling on.

All in all very pleasant trip. Was not very packed but considering that is was 2^nd day of 3 days holiday it was expected , whoever wanted to go went already and returns will start tomorrow.

 On few provincial stations on the way there were bilingual banners clearly indicating that if one plans to board train at this station should buy a ticket from website or call given number to inform crew train should stop there, wow!

 Mid way train stopped at Pursat , we were clearly informed that stop will last 10 minutes and in front of station were few stands where we could buy some food and drinks. I treated myself with 2 fish cakes  at 1000 riels  a piece  and they were surprisingly tasty. Can of Coca cola   - 2000.

 Interesting 6.5 hrs , we rolled into Battambang station about 10 minutes late greeted by few remorks and taxis but since my hotel was close I just decided to walk there as a mean with acquainting with the area.

 My hotel Deluxe Villa was collection of bungalows with small pool in the middle of courtyard . Room very spacious with full sized refrigerator and bank sized safe which unfortunately did not work.

 You may recall that I was hoping  certain guy from Phom Penh visiting his parents in the area will join me so I sent him message I’m in the city. Answer was fast and clear ”I’m so happy, are you coming here or you want me to come to you “ Opted for 2^nd option and he promised to be here at 6 pm

Shower and I set for a walk, City center was about 10 minutes walk, quite pleasant with river bisecting it. Interesting architecture of central market although I saw cleaner places in my travels. Certainly pleasant place but with certain provincial feel, Siem Reap feel more metropolitan in comparison and no wonder   with those hordes of tourists.

Upon returning  to hotel I arranged driver for sightseeing tomorrow – I did not want to keep my guy for the day , let him enjoy his time with parents.  He arrived as agreed at 6.p,m and I must say it created some buzz in the hotel – super  hunk visiting old crippled troll, WTF ? you could see in eyes of receptionist and maintenance guy. Those knowing smiles will be accompanying me  for next 2 days, even if I will maintain celibacy.

I was hoping we hit the sheets , at least for a while but my guy had other idea, he wanted to go out  to eat and drink so off we went.

He found  quite busy restaurant on other side of river, we got the last free table. I ordered  , what else? Chicken with cashew nuts, he took advantage of occasion and ordered 4 dishes  and I don’t think he eat more than half of what they brought. This happens quite often in Thailand and Cambodia and I’m not fun od such waste but kept quiet .  

It was still fun  with lively atmosphere, chatty waiters and live music.  I must admit it was good idea of his to come  there.

 At one point , after few hours situation become bit awkward as another oldie appeared,  obviously well known to my boy  who asked if that guy can sit with us. Sure , why not. Guy turned up to be Khmer from California. Was already quite drunk and certainly very possessive. It did not take long before  it was clear  who is third wheel here and it was me.

So when my guy said he wants to stay bit longer and have  few drinks I opted out, paid for what we consumed so far, told him  I will be waiting in the room and walked out. It was interesting as it was dark, I was in area of the city I never visited before and still found my way to hotel without any problems. It was great idea to do that walk as I sobered up a bit and not long after I arrived , my guy showed up. He told me other guy was too drunk to he packed him to taxi , ordered another one for himself.

I was glad to take back possession of what was mine, he, he. He got his share of drinks and as result was not very active  but did not mind at all of me being more energetic and it was exactly what I was looking for. I’m glad my plot to see him in Battambang worked.     

 

6 hours ago, vinapu said:

ordered 4 dishes  and I don’t think he eat more than half of what they brought.

Could it be he was ordering for you to eat as well? I know some boys are doing that and have to say to him only order for yourself when i order. This was the case with one of my regular before, because he thought i would eat as well so he took around half, expecting me to finish the other half.

2 hours ago, spoon said:

Could it be he was ordering for you to eat as well? I know some boys are doing that and have to say to him only order for yourself when i order. This was the case with one of my regular before, because he thought i would eat as well so he took around half, expecting me to finish the other half.

most likely although it was discussed before we ordered anything and I disclaimed I don't eat seafood , two out of 4 dishes were seafood.

One thing is sure , I did not go bankrupt as it was not expensive place , aimed at locals , not tourists but still some food was wasted which I don't like , specially in poor countries where chances are many people go to bed hungry.

train at Phnom Penh station

first class car

first class seat of first class passenger

view from front of train

Pursat station

future site of garden of earthly delights

Deluxe Villa and it's pool

my bungalow

Battambang Central Market

waterfront on busy Sunday afternoon

this dish was not wasted

Lovely pics.

50 minutes ago, macaroni21 said:

Lovely pics.

I just click on my phone so credit goes to Samsung

9 hours ago, vinapu said:

still some food was wasted which I don't like , specially in poor countries where chances are many people go to bed hungry.

In Rio or Sao Paulo, it's customary that we take to go boxes of food at restaurants and give it to homeless on the streets, but make sure to bring utensils, some are picky 🤷‍♂️

2 hours ago, floridarob said:

In Rio or Sao Paulo, it's customary that we take to go boxes of food at restaurants and give it to homeless on the streets, but make sure to bring utensils, some are picky 🤷‍♂️

I got it but don't forget I left my guy in the restaurant with his drunken Khmer-American 'friend"

 

Day 10

 My guy decided to skip the breakfast and in the morning went back to mom and dad.

 Deluxe Villa doesn’t offer breakfast but next door is small, modern café offering American breakfast for 5 $ so I went there. Did not linger too long , while breakfast was tasty , music was too loud and  AC set too low to linger longer.

 At 9.15 my tuk tuk arrived and we  set out for grand tour. First  stop – famous bamboo train  I already described and posted pictures from in this thread on page 7.

My Cambodian Dream - Page 10 - Gay Cambodia - Gay Guides Forum

 Then some ancient wooden residence , more than 100 years old. Must be popular place with locals as owner was busy  guiding tour of what looked like college students. Thing which drew most of my attention was quite impressive collection of Cambodian money   with quite a few rarities ( I know a thing or 5 about those things ) .

Next stop was Banan temple , ancient structure on top of the hill so requiring  bit of climbing. Because today is last day of 3 days long holidays place was crowded with locals , both praying and just sightseeing.

 Then , closer to the city mountain with Killing Cave and Bat Cave. Killing Cave is chilling testimony of Khmer Rouge atrocities. They were keen to save bullets and other killing tools so people condemned to death were just thrown to the cave by natural opening in  ceiling. We are not talking about  XII century but goings only 50 years ago.

 In the cave is memorial – stupa with remains of some of the victims. Mind you , local commander of Khmer Rouge in Battambang was apparently quite humanitarian in comparison to his more devoted colleagues from other regions.

 Bat Cave  on other side of mountain we left for the end  for simple reasons. Spectacle of   millions bats leaving cave at dusk to , presumably , get some fresh air  starts about 5.30.  I was one of thousands gathered there.  No doubt because of holiday , bat in charge decided to speed up a bit and flu-out started  shortly after 5.

I’m not big fan of nature, which normally is at it’s best on the serving table ,  well roasted , but must admit it was fascinating. Fly-out seemed never to end , I was watching it for 15 minutes and it was  squadron of bats after squadron flying and flying .  After 15 minutes I suggested we can go as no doubt later on traffic to unload the crowds of spectator would be  enormous. I was told that it lasts about 1 hour.

 At the hotel when paying him his  fee driver surprised me by asking if I have riels instead of USD. Unfortunately I did not and blamed him directly – why you quoted your price in USD if you wished to be paid in KHR ?

After refreshing in hotel I went to the center to eat some , surprisingly tasty hamburger. Had a walk here and there  but after such busy day I went to hotel and soon collapsed on the bed , sleeping till morning without interruption. Too much perhaps for old man thought I.

3 hours ago, floridarob said:

In Rio or Sao Paulo, it's customary that we take to go boxes of food at restaurants and give it to homeless on the streets, but make sure to bring utensils, some are picky 🤷‍♂️

Also salt and pepper?

5 $ breakfast

ancient house and equally ancient owner's wife

Banan temple

Killing Cave memorial, you can see skulls under the flag

that opening lead many to their death

Bat cave

fly out started . Unfortunately my clip is too big to upload here