Dec
19
We met Madagascar-born fashion designer Eric Raisina at his atelier in Siem Reap when researching shopping in the city. The Paris-trained designer, who has worked for Christian Lacroix and Yves Saint Laurent, makes some of the most enchanting clothes that I’ve ever seen. He’s also something of a celebrity in Siem Reap, a city he …
Dec
18
For most travellers, Siem Reap has been little more than a departure point for exploring Angkor Wat and the other Angkor temples. Yet it hasn’t always been that way. Until the Khmer Rouge seized power in 1975, Siem Reap had been something of a celebrity hot spot. Its heyday was the 1960s, when King Sihanouk …
Nov
02
We had flown to Phnom Penh from Bangkok to do a story for a section of an Asian travel magazine called The Buzz, which meant we had to cover places that hummed – the best, busiest, most talked-about spots in the city, whether they be hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars or boutiques. Being a fan of …
Oct
31
Like all South East Asian cities, we quickly discovered, Phnom Penh has a few standout markets that are worth a wander to soak up the atmosphere, snack at the food stalls, and, naturally, shop for souvenirs. The Night Market / Phsar Reatrey We stumbled upon the small outdoor night market opposite Sisowath Quay on our …
Oct
15
The much-maligned shopping mall makes sense in steamy Bangkok, especially during monsoon season* – just as it does in the oppressive heat of Dubai. Whereas the gritty streets of both cities offer few opportunities to escape the elements, air-conditioned shopping centres provide a respite from the humidity and, in Bangkok’s case in particular at this …
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