My Cambodian Adventure
Harper's Bazaar India|April-May 2023
From the chaos of a circus to the calm of the jungle, travel writer CRYSTAL WOO opens up her travel journal as she chronicles her time in Cambodia.
CRYSTAL WOO
My Cambodian Adventure

FRIDAY, 3:30PM The flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia, from Kuala Lumpur, is a breeze. Just a little over two hours, and I am with the Khmer people. Siem Reap International Airport is modest in size, yet unmistakably modern—I arrive without a hitch. Everyone likely knows Siem Reap as the seat of the legendary Angkor Wat (early 12th century), the largest religious monument in the world that continues to capture the imagination of many. This trip, however, is to discover Siem Reap’s other sides. At the arrival hall, Chivoan (G1) from Bensley’s Pool Villa is here for the pick-up right on time. Only a short drive away from the airport, and in the laid-back neighbourhood of colonial shophouses bearing French influences, Bensley’s Pool Villas Shinta Mani Angkor is ideal for a carefree getaway.

4:05PM After a fast check in, walking into a quiet corner, the black door of Bensley’s Pool Villa reveals itself. Two floors connected by a flight of stairs as pretty as a picture, and with one’s own plunge pool to boot, the villa opens up to an interesting layout, with semi-outdoor walkways from the front yard to the shower at the back, offering surprises at every turn. From the ancient Khmer art details of King Jayavarman VII’s robes to the striking black and white floor tiles, the design is very fetching; instead of occupying maximum horizontal space, Bensley’s Villa plays more with vertical height, bringing to life a certain kind of swag. In the upper floor, soft yellow flowers dangle like chandeliers, complete with an inviting daybed and a bar counter to host friends. In the bedroom downstairs, a king-sized bed shares space with a tropical garden. Plus, the espresso machine and I become best friends overnight. But as amazing as the villa is, I need to get going. The circus is in town. 

Denne historien er fra April-May 2023-utgaven av Harper's Bazaar India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra April-May 2023-utgaven av Harper's Bazaar India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA HARPER'S BAZAAR INDIASe alt
Filler Fatigue
Harper's Bazaar India

Filler Fatigue

With worries about facial distortion and a shift towards the natural, is it time to sav goodbye to these corrective tweaks?

time-read
4 mins  |
October - November, 2024
Mind-Skin Connection
Harper's Bazaar India

Mind-Skin Connection

Is il possible for your skincare to communicate with your brain:

time-read
3 mins  |
October - November, 2024
Tailored for the Game
Harper's Bazaar India

Tailored for the Game

Fashion meets sports as U.S. Polo Assn. names Sawai Padmanabh Singh of ol Jaipur’ s royal family its global ambassador.

time-read
2 mins  |
October - November, 2024
Reimagined Classic
Harper's Bazaar India

Reimagined Classic

Louis Vuitton launches the Neverfull Inside Out bag, transforming the icon into a fully reversible tote.

time-read
2 mins  |
October - November, 2024
Italian Muse
Harper's Bazaar India

Italian Muse

Guecr's new high jew ellery collection isa stroll through the country’s picturesque gardens.

time-read
2 mins  |
October - November, 2024
Co Gs Art Post, Gas Art Pas New CELSIOR Net Lay the show Neking ble e dh PATRON An TH Fotal 24 ANAR Romantics
Harper's Bazaar India

Co Gs Art Post, Gas Art Pas New CELSIOR Net Lay the show Neking ble e dh PATRON An TH Fotal 24 ANAR Romantics

Romcoms might not have prepared me for modern dating, but they offered a timeless sartorial guide to falling in love.

time-read
3 mins  |
October - November, 2024
Making a Case for India's Ingenuity
Harper's Bazaar India

Making a Case for India's Ingenuity

William Dalrymple says The Golden Road is an extraordinary story but also the most challenging book he has written in the last two decades.

time-read
4 mins  |
October - November, 2024
On My Playlist
Harper's Bazaar India

On My Playlist

Playback singer turned indie-pop artiste Dhee talks about music, identity, and empowering a new generation.

time-read
3 mins  |
October - November, 2024
Explicitly Bold
Harper's Bazaar India

Explicitly Bold

The latest lipstick range by Nars is designed to empower wearers with colour and confidence.

time-read
2 mins  |
October - November, 2024
Art in a Bottle
Harper's Bazaar India

Art in a Bottle

The Perfume Library founder Jahnvi Lakhota Nandan believes fragrances are meant to be liberated.

time-read
4 mins  |
October - November, 2024