Going to be in Phnom Penh volunteering for July. A few questions:
1) What should I expect from PP weather on a daily basis in July? What's generally proper attire – (heat-wise & culturally)? I am woman.
2) Are there good spots to meet up with other foreginers/expats/etc. who might be interesting to meet/hang out with? (I’ll be apartment-sitting, so won’t really be doing the hostel scene.)
3) If I’m going to be in PP for 90% of my trip, with a side trip to Siem Reap (and possible trip south to the beach) – do I need to take anti-malarial medicine? My doctor prescribed me doxycycline and left it up to me. I’d prefer not to be on antibiotics for two months and be able to go out in the sun (side-effect of doxy being sun sensitivity), but getting malaria would be a rather large drag.
Any other thoughts/ideas/advice on a month in Phnom Penh & Cambodia would be appreciated. Thanks!
- Its hot all the year round, but July is rainy season so there will normally be one or two heavy showers a day. Women generally dress quite conservatively here, but in Phnom Penh its a bit more relaxed, as long as you aren't revealing too much I wouldnt worry too much.
2. There are plenty of bars where ex-pats hang out, without knowing a bit more about you its hard to know which ones to recommend. Many of the bars are hostess bars, but there are others that aren't, maybe try Jungle Bar, Red Fox, Talking to a Stranger, etc.
3. None of the residents here take anti-malarials, and Ive never heard of any catching malaria, dengue fever is more of an issue.
My travel advisor told us that you only have to take anti-malaria pills when going to the south, like Sihanoukville and Kampot. Also in the north it is advised.
As a woman living in PP...my take on the situations is...
1) Long pants, skirts with a t-shirt or blouse is fine. Avoid stringy tops, short tshirts or short shorts that show way too much flesh. It's very casual here and you'll find that long cotton trouses and top is as cooling and comfotable as being in skimpy clothes anyway. I wear jeans and tshirts during wet season days and skirts and blouses for night or functions
2) There are a few wine bars around popular with expat women and men...Talking to a Stranger, Rubies, Elsewhere, Monsoon, Pontoon, Gasolinas, Flavours are a few
3) No-one takes malaria medication. Dengue is the plague at the moment and there's nothing you can take for it...prevention is the only "cure".
1) Weather in July most probably a few hours heavy rain each day in the afternoon early evening, but as with everywhere weather patterns are becoming less predictable… Cambodia is not a muslim country, wear what you would generally wear to an office in you home country, skirt / blouse, dress etc…
2) Many great bars to meet up with expats – pick up a copy of the free Pocket Guide when in Phnom Penh, this lists all the expat bars, then its just a case of choosing what sort of expats you want to hang out with.
3) Malaria is not an issue in Phnom Penh, a small issue in Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. If not taking medicine just cover up and use spray when going to these places. Very few expats do anything to counter mozzies in Phnom Penh bar mozzie coils, mozzie mesh on windows doors etc. Denge Fever is more of an issue currently and doxy does not protect against that.
Hope this helps…
1) Light rain mac type thingy!Cover up a little- you get less unwanted attention if you dress conservatively....
2) Head down to the riverfront, lots of bars and guesthouses and lots of westerners hanging around drinking and chatting.
3) If you are going to Sihanoukville take the anti-malarials and I can't stress enough the importance of buying sprays IN ASIA. 4 bottles of spray from UK didn't work, and and after 62 bites in two days (!!!Yes, I counted them-Anyone wanna see the pics of my poor legs?!) I soon accepted new stuff from the chemist....Think it is both mosquitos and sandflies causing the problem down there. If you do get bitten use Tiger balm. My husband and I used Doxy for 3 months solid and had no problems but obviously everyone is different, might be an idea to just try them and then just stop if you get side-effects?
Here's an interesting little aside... At the worst point a local girl had a look at my bites asked me what I'd been eating (I'm a veggie) she said I was getting attacked because I was'nt eating enough Meat, Garlic and Chilli - mosquitos can tell from your skin and don't like it apparently(?) Might be somethin in that as hubby ate that stuff everyday and hardly got any bites!
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