GMJS-CEO wrote: ↑Mon Dec 23, 2019 1:36 am Sounds like Battambang is the right place for you. Siem Reap is the worst suggestion for someone looking to avoid tourists.

SternAAlbifrons wrote: ↑Mon Dec 23, 2019 3:27 am Lovely town, and interesting too. Only been their once tho'.
I came in for supplies after a month alone on the lake. A bit spaced out, understandably.
3 nights, 2 days. June, drizzly, cool, quiet, nice. 'Probably about the only kind of civilisation i could have really appreciated at the time.

Leaving town. Motodop to the bus station. Guesthouse regular driver, english speaking, 35-ish,
Slow town, slow ride. Half way, the driver cocks his head and says quite clearly, openly, and without hint of malice..

- You know, when KR come back i kill you.
long pause to let that sink in
- Not personal, you are foreigner, nothing, i kill you. Foreigner no should be in Cambodia.
absolutely no hint of malice, statement of fact.

We are at the bus station so now it's face to face
- I from Pailin. KR coming back. foreigner no should be in Cambodia. i kill you then.
Firm, quietly confident, relaxed, no hint of malice, pressed white shirt, good english. I gave him the usual tip.

and then I went back out onto that big big lake again, still a bit spaced out with those long slow thoughts you get out there..

AndyKK wrote: ↑Mon Dec 23, 2019 5:53 am I lived in Battambang about five or more years ago, I found it to be a very nice place, and very laid back and the traffic at the time was not too busy, no where near as chaotic like Phnom Penh or Siam Reap. I found a western style apartment near the Build Bright University and Wat Porti Vong just a little way out of the centre. The local people were friendly, the young people seemed to have good education, I used to visit the Polytechnic Institute from time to time as the tutors and students had set up an interesting aquaponics system (one of my interests). At the time, also there was a small number of expats living around the town and some running their businesses, such was a variety of good restaurants, but mainly good food. Khmer food, obviously this is Cambodia, on the riverside you can eat cheaply late on in the cool air of the evening. One of my favourite restaurants (although I have again many) was the Jaan Bai on road no2 away from the side of the market. Jaan Bai has tremendous home cooked Khmer food the best I have ever tasted, a little pricy but worth the money. There is also a good variety of western foods Pizza and Pastas, and Indian restaurants. But still not much happening after 10pm, but the places I eat in Phnom Penh close at this time.
Anywhere can be boring for some, but I think it depends more on yourself keeping busy with hobbies or some interest or pastime. Out of town are the bat caves and Temple on the hill, well worth the view alone. That's on Highway 57 and so is cool water lake where I used to go swimming, there is no cost and again restaurant beside the lake.
Its a good place Battambang, I hope you enjoy the place like I did.

Roadie wrote: ↑Sat Dec 28, 2019 9:50 pm its easy enough to find some expats around town to talk too and I would suggest a guest house on monthly rates as a first off and worry about whether you need to rent a whole place once you are settled and get to know your way around. You could check out New Sangke Hotel and Coconut house as a couple of other options.