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Re: Blog on Boueng Kok
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sayadian
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I've already mentioned this in the thread entitled 'Goodbye' but on reflection felt it needed to be placed in a thread of its own.I don't know the quality of other blogs but seeing as Somtam was making a defence for the site being more up-to-date because of the blogs I felt I had to pick up on this one.
Such errors can have serious consequences on peoples livelihoods.
I'd like to take issue with one of your bloggers.The piece on lakeside, Phnom Penh by Abigail.
She states:
'.....but the tourist businesses have closed down or moved on.'
Well, she obviously hasn't been there in awhile because the Number 10 guesthouse is still going and so is the wonderful, friendly GreenWall restaurant which specialises in pizzas and Italian food at rock bottom prices and there are other businesses still up and running. The owners of these establishments are struggling as it is without getting written off by lazy journalism. Perhaps a correction might be in order.
Whilst I'm on the subject,it's a pity to write off this area anyway. The entrance to Boueng Kok is next to the Calmette hospital,if you cross the road you will find the Caltex filling station.The road running down from there has an array of good (and cheap) restaurants specialising in cook your own barbeques with an array of interesting Cambodian relishes to go with your chicken or beef. There are also a number of places where you can cook your own soup. Something I think which has a Chinese origin since you find the same sort of thing in Malaysia called steamboat.You add your ordered meats, fish and vegetables to the pot and cook yourself. Turn at the corner by the Wat and there is another line of great eateries with jugs of cold beer sold for $2 or $3.
In fact this area bordered on one side by the Calmette and the other by the rear of the Kanta Bopha hospital is a real find if you like food and has the added attraction of being a few minutes walk north of Wat Phnom...and you probably won't see another tourist.
#1 Posted: 30/8/2012 - 04:20
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somtam2000
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Hi Sayadian,
As mentioned in your other post on this, I've belled Abigail about it -- she's travelling at the moment, but I assume she'll reply when she is back.
As you're no doubt aware, Lakeside today is a shadow of its old self and many of the businesses that regulars knew and loved have either shut up shop or moved on. Part of the point of the post was pointing out where those businesses have moved on to -- and in some cases renamed -- so old guests will still be able to find them.
Cheers
#2 Posted: 30/8/2012 - 05:43
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sayadian
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So then it should read 'most of the tourist businesses have moved on.'
I realise she's talking about where some of the businesses have relocated. She doesn't mention that many of the old guesthouses including the infamous Number 9 have relocated near the Independence Monument.I think it's Street 258, though none of them resemble anything like the lakeside scene.Number 9 is considerably more upmarket! How can you talk about BK without reminiscing about that place.
#3 Posted: 30/8/2012 - 08:10
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Here's my original response to the thread in the other post:
Hi Sayadian
There was an all important 'most' missing from my article, which I've now rectified.
My intention when writing was to help people who used to visit lakeside find their favourite businesses which are now in the wider city. I've had a few people wondering where Phiron was now (Dolce Vita) or whatever happened to Oh My Buddha. The fact is, most businesses have moved out or, sadly, just closed down. For the ones who are still there, I wish them all the best.
Most visitors to PP don't go to lakeside now - it's not the attractive, quirky place that we spend so many happy days and messy nights in. And that won't change. There's no lake any more. Having spoken with travellers who turned up there this year, on the back of out of date recommendations, they were disappointed/confused. If it's your first time at lakeside, there are no pleasant memories to fill in the gaps in the rubble.
For that reason, I don't recommend lakeside to visitors. I don't discourage them either, but if asked for my opinion, I mention the history of the development and add a few caveats. When I recently visited, I felt the atmosphere had changed, especially at night (I'm not just talking about the slight edginess that lakeside always had in the wee hours).
Please feel free to comment on my post and mention the businesses at lakeside that you favour. I wasn't intending to make business harder for those guys - the repos, bulldozers and sand suppliers have already done that and I'd hate to be lumped in with them.
#4 Posted: 3/9/2012 - 03:46
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As far as the wider area around Caltex goes, I agree it's a great place to explore. My favourite place for soup is A1 Restaurant, but there's a row of similar establishments.
Eighty8 Backpackers (which I included in my round-up of pools) is another gem in that area and a good base if you like to be away from tourist-central.
#5 Posted: 3/9/2012 - 03:54
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