What can you do in a small colonial-style city somewhere in Cambodia? On a Monday evening? Stripclub? Hey, what are you thinking?! That would be immoral, and you know it! Shame on you!

No, as the gentleman we are, Oskar and I decided to head for a 08-15 bar. Unfortunately, the only two bars in Battambang were a) closed and b) completely empty. Alright, let’s go home and start reading yet another intelligent book. But, there, what is that? Music? Colorful lights? A disco? In Cambodia on a Monday? Buddha must have heard our cries of despair!

We parked our car on a muddy spot next to the bar and walked towards a neon sign saying “Karaoke” in big letters.
Aha! Were we supposed to listen to Japanese guys humming stupid songs by David Hasselhof in the micro? Well, whatever it takes: we really were thirsty by now and that beer would be served here was out of question.

But then we were surprised: Once into the bar, we were welcomed by about 20 girls. One with a bigger smile than the other one. A manager in a white suit with black tie showed us the way to a huge room with enormous sofas and two high-rising TVs. Nobody else was there, but we noticed some other rooms with closed doors. Why were we let alone in a huge room with a sign saying “VIP” at the door?

We did not have much time to think. The light suddenly got dimmed down, a servant brought our beer (not the small dose we had ordered but some eight cans of Cambodian Anchor  beer) and the manager politely suggest that it was now about time to make our choice. Our choice? Well, we had to choose some of the 20 ladies to sing with us.

This was easy: I asked for English or French speaking ladies and 18 of the girls were sent out. Two stayed: Alina, who was not exactly a beauty, and Tali, a dwarf with 1.45 meters. And, what a surprise, at least Tali really spoke some English! She used her knowledge to state that she hated her job in the Karaoke bar. I thought of this as an excellent marketing speech and spent the next 15 minutes to explain to Alina that Switzerland was not exactly the same as New Zealand.

We then sang some songs and I must admit – it was quite funny. Alina moved with every song a bit closer and then asked whether she could come to the hotel for that night. So, that is what a Karaoke bar is about!

Meantime, Tali was telling Oskar that she still hated her job, however, that she was quite fond of guys with white skin. Oskar agreed to ask for the bill.

We left poorer by some 57’000 Riel (approx. 16 Swiss Francs) and with a sour throat. Luckily, David Hasselhof had not been played.