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Phnom
Penh (Ah!)
Travel
Tips
- PHNOM
PENH CHANGES
D. J. Ken - National Radio Text Service
This month we were fortunate enough to meet more tourists who came to help and not destroy. They were a group of Christians from Korea who first visited Siem Reap for four days. They spent one day seeing the Angkor Wat Temples. The remainder of their time in Siem Reap was spent visiting children in orphanages. - KFC SPOT ON CHICKENED OUT - BIG A MOVED - WARNING CAMBODIA'S UCB BANK CHARGING - ENGLISH MATTERS
Friday February 27, 2009
WHAT'S UP? There is no question that Cambodia and Phnom Penh have its problems the point is what are they doing about it? The Tourism Ministry currently has an enormous television publicity campaign going for tourists to come and visit with the focus being Angkor Wat. Last month we pointed out the there should be more to interest a tourist in visiting the country. The other point is what kind of tourist is the country trying to appeal to the alcoholic sex addict drug user or a quality tourist who has a positive purpose in life who helps and does not destroy. In January we met a lady who enjoyed playing volleyball with the children during her visit. Given what one reads in the English language newspapers numerous foreigners and so called businessmen have been arrested for having SEX WITH CHILDREN. There is quite a difference the question what type of tourist is Cambodia looking for? This month we were fortunate enough to meet more tourists who came to help and not destroy. They were a group of Christians from Korea who first visited Siem Reap for four days. They spent one day seeing the Angkor Wat Temples with the remainder of their time they spent visiting children in orphanages. We ran into the group at the Lucky Supermarket at the Sorya Shopping Center in Phnom Penh. They said they didn't visit any of the sites in Phnom Penh because they were too tired and were resting for the next leg of their trip Vietnam where they intended to spend several days. Up to that time they enjoyed their visit to the country and had no bad experiences. The point being Phnom Penh needs to step it up and develop activities for tourists to get involved in. If there was more of an effort in coming up with a solution money spent elsewhere could be spent in Cambodia and help their economy. Visiting the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng is worthy of seeing from a history standpoint but the experience doesn't leave a tourist with a good feeling. Something has to be done. If a legitimate tourist comes to Phnom Penh they are usually tired from walking around the Angkor Temples. R & R . (rest and relaxation) is the key. Physically healthy people in mind and spirit aren't alcoholics and have discriminating principles. The question is what can be done in Phnom Penh that isn't about death? The obvious options are the Royal Palace and the National Museum. One can spend the day in that area as they are adjacent to each other. There are numerous restaurants in the surrounding area for food and beverage. At dusk another site worth seeing is what we are now deeming the Dancing Fountains. It is in Hun Sen Park that is also adjacent to the Royal Palace on the southern side. The fountains dance and change colors and formations to the sound of music. Later in the evening the music stops. The tip is to arrive at dusk and as the Doobie Brothers sang listen to the music while the fountains dance. The fountains dance on weekends and holidays. CHICKENED OUT We could never understand why tourists would travel to the other side of the world to visit a country and then eat McDonalds or Pizza. In Cambodia and Thailand for those of us who know the difference they make terrible fast food. In the past we've taken issue with Thailand's Pizza Company franchise that their pizza was too dry and lacked sauce, it was just dough, cheese and topping. But then we ran into a pleasant surprise from a tip from an American friend who suggested to try the KFC chicken. With decent food for a foreigner being a rarity in Cambodia this shop has got it right. Most importantly the chicken is cooked perfectly by being juicy, crispy and tasty. We rate it better than KFC's in America and we're addicted. It is as good as America's Pioneer Chicken which had several shops in Hollywood, California USA back in the 70's. That shop on Sunset Boulevard was so good it is where I met the famed rock N Roll legend Little Richard who certainly knows something about chicken. If celebrities go for it then you know it's good. The Phnom Penh shop doesn't have a Little Richard but aside from the great tasting chicken it is does have an extremely polite and well trained staff. This is the most polite staff of any business that we've visited during our 10 years in the country. The establishment is extremely clean and the air conditioning just right. KFC is located at 170 Monivong Boulevard on the bottom floor of the Asia Hotel. It's near the Central Market and Sorya Shopping Center. They also have a shop on Norodom Boulevard near the Paragon Shopping Center. BIG A MOVED If you noticed that the Big A Super Market on Monivong Boulevard is shuttered the reason is they have moved to the Paragon Shopping Center on the ground floor at rear of the building. WARNING UCB BANK CHARGING The UCB bank has come under scrutiny as they charged a tourists credit card more than he signed for on several cash withdraws. The bank advertises that they do not charge a fee for cash withdraws. When the matter was brought to the attention of UCB management in Phnom Penh they said the problem was with the tourist's bank in their country. The tourist contacted his bank and was informed that the problem emanates from Cambodia as they also do not charge a fee for cash withdraws. The tourist has been dealing with his bank for over 12 years with no problem. The problem with the Cambodian bank surfaced after they made a personnel change. Here's our tip if you have made cash withdraws at any of the UCB banks in Siem Reap, Sihanoukville or Phnom Penh check your statements. If there are discrepancies contact your bank and report it. NATIONAL RADIO PUBLISHED IN 5 LANGUAGES We are published in five languages, English, Thai, French, Russian and Khmer (Cambodian language). Any of our foreign language material and our Roman Wanderaugh columns are legally available ONLY on our National Radio site. ENGLISH COMPREHENSION BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND TRANSACTIONS When making a purchase it is wise to talk to a person who: 1. Speaks good English. 2. Has a good COMPREHENSION of English. 3. Has good PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE. 4. IS HONEST and serves the customers needs. The serving the customer's needs issue came to light when my Japanese neighbor who speaks very good English purchased an Internet service from Camshin They first told her that she needed a telephone line thus having to pay for a telephone, a line and connection as well as the Internet installation fees and service cost. She later found that she didn't need a telephone but could receive the service by ADSL. There was another $200 Installation charge and equipment costs. The point being as a tip is careful who you gave your memory cards and business to so you can prevent theft, damage or aggravation.
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