Survival & Maintenance
Dress codes – to Bling or Not to Bling?
Exercise opportunities, tailors, dry cleaners, hair & beauty salons, travel agents, airport transport &, travel tips
Cambodia in general feels remarkably open and safe, but given its recent tumultuous past, extreme poverty, and reportedly high corruption, it is best not too let your guard up too much. Street theft is cited as a common problem, so keep your purse close and leave important documents (including atm cards) in your hotel.
Getting Around
In general, it is safe to wander around Phnom Penh on all hours of the day (though women going around alone can expect to be hassled by tuk-tuk or motorcycle drivers). Be warned that, because tuk-tuks are open-aired vehicles, purse snatchers have been known to specifically target women.
Tuk tuks are safe and reliable means of transportation (raging no more than $1-3/ride), but if you can afford it, rent a car as it won’t cost much more than taking tuk-tuks. And definitely, avoid at all costs taking motorcycle taxies, which are both harrowing and quite unpleasant in the heat. (Phom Penh’s two seasons are either hot and dry, or hot and wet – but always hot).
Dress Codes – to Bling or Not to Bling?
An invitation often reads “dressy casual” – there is yet to be a universally-conclusive answer on what that one means - but as a rule dress it down in Phnom Penh. You will be over-dressed in a slinky cocktail dress, so try a nicely-cut linen ensemble instead. Dress code is generally liberal. For business meetings, a more conservative outfit is recommended, a suit (and for women, one with trousers or a longer skirt.)
Given the high temps and humidity, the thinnest possible linen is the most comfortable fabric to wear. Cambodia has a nice selection of affordable linen that you can stock up on arrival.
However, arrive stocked up with the necessary skincare products. The local markets only carry sketchy products with labels you can’t read (or would not like to) or which are past their expiry dates.
Meeting & Greeting
Cambodians traditionally greet people with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards.
The rule is to follow the trend of the guest, but people usually tend to look quite squeamish at the approach of a handshake, so best to follow the traditional path.
Cambodian women will hug you and kiss you on both cheeks (if you are female!).
As for expats—Cambodia has a large Anglophone and Francophone expat community where all forms of address seems suitable.
Traditional Greeting - The Sharing Foundation
Exercise Opportunities:
● Yoga classes from Nataraj yoga with the exceptionally gifted instructor
Isabelle E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Tel: +855 12 250 817,
www.yogacambodia.org
● The pool and gym at le Royal www.raffles.com
● Himwari has a pool, gym, tennis courts, and offers various exercise classes.
(Sounds like the best deal in town, doesn’t it, except it doesn’t have the
Elephant Bar of the Raffles for that essential after-gym happy hour!)
● The Intercontinental has a reputation as having the best-equipped gym, but
is not in a very central location for post-gym activities.
Tailors
Sadly, tailors in Phnom Penh are even more unreliable than most of their breed. Unless you are truly desperate, avoid them. There are plenty of well-appointed boutiques to visit instead. If you must, engage at your own risk.
The following will do tailoring for men and women.
● Threads located in the vicinity of the Java Café 56 Sihanouk Blvd.
● The tailors at the handicraft store, Rajana just across from the Russian
Market also have a decent reputation.
● Ambre will do made-to-order outfits on request.
Dry Cleaners
Don’t dry-clean your favourite clothes in Cambodia, as the dry-cleaning facilities are basic at best. For an emergency, try Le Royal or the dry cleaners on St 240.
Hair & Beauty Salons
● Do not risk a haircut in Cambodia, wait till you get to a lay-over in Bangkok or
another destination elsewhere.
● However, for basic styling (wash n dry), try the Vietnamese-run New World
Salon on Sisowath Quay. They also offer a nice hair conditioning treatment.
● Cambodia has a nice range of spas that offer indulgent massages and other
therapeutic treatments to repair and cleanse the body, very necessary after
dealing with the hustle bustle of the street. Try Spa Bliss on Street 240 or
Aziadee on Street 282. Both are sanctuaries of calm, peace, and tranquillity
housed in lovely restored colonial buildings.
Traveller Tips
Cityscape - Simon Fisher
Travel Agents
● World Express
Phnom Penh Office: 148E0, St. 169, Veal Vong, 7 Makara
Tel: (855) 23 884574, 986586, 991626, 884787
Mobile Phone: (855) 11/12 846840, 12 222759, 11 926161
Fax: (855) 23 884787**Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address),
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ask for Ms. Det
Reliable Airport Transport
Bailey’s Taxis (012 890000) and Taxi Vantha (012 855000) offer taxis 24 hours a day, but have a limited number of cars.
“Comfort Blankets & “Clutching at Straws” – there are times for even the most seasoned of travelling International Citizens, when you yearn for the familiar, in a sea of stress and obligations…..
The familiar is very easy to find in Phnom Penh.
If over-whelmed by the sea of bodies, tuk tuks, and eager moto drivers slip into a quiet café garden (Elsewhere or the balcony of Java). Or better yet - a bar on the river front.
Imported food items are easy to find, but be sure to bring your absolutely-must-have faves as you will pretty definitely not find them here.
● Bayon Market on Monivong for:
Good selection of beers and wine
Assorted sweet things and for the odd ingredient that you cannot find
elsewhere.
● Lucky’s
Nice deli including an extensive selection on cheese
● Open Wine
Pate
Other gourmet meats
● The Shop
Extensive array of bread (freshly baked every day)
Pate
Good dessert selection
● Chocolat
Fresh chocolate truffles