My September began on a sad note with the loss of my mother. She reached the age of 94, a quite noble age, which she herself considered good years. Even though, when I left Sweden after the summer, I knew I was seeing her for the last time and tried to prepare myself mentally, I didn’t quite succeed. It feels as if one loses a part of oneself. Life goes on after all, and one takes it day by day.
I was very surprised to learn that everything related to the funeral must be paid for before the estate inventory is completed if you are not registered as a resident in Sweden and you are an heir. Expensive is it to live, and expensive is it to die. Tell me, what in life does not have to do with money….
Sometimes it feels as if one is being punished for having left one’s homeland, and it hurts, as you still feel Swedish in your heart and soul.
Soon after my mom’s passing away, I had the pleasure of spending a day with a good friend, a former MGM photographer, US born Daniel Herron, specializing in fashion and celebrities, during a one-day shoot in Cambodia, Angkor Wat, with the Thai model Jane Kasemsarn.
The day before leaving to Siem Reap began with me joining Daniel on a shopping trip to select a range of outfits, many carefully chosen to complement the ancient temple backdrops Daniel planned for the shoot.
Since my visa had expired and I had left my passport with an agent, I was worried it wouldn’t come back in time. It took longer than usual, but to my great relief, it was returned the day before we were due to fly. Daniel worried about the weather condition as it was rainy season.
With Bangkok Airways we flew to Siem Reap, which I had not visited before. Their new airport is enormous, and we arrived to an almost deserted arrival hall, apart from the immigration staff who were ready to assist us. Everything went very smoothly and within just a few minutes, we were able to step outside and call for a taxi. It was not a very long journey to our hotel, FCC (Foreign Correspondence Club) that is located in the best area and is a real great hotel with the most welcoming staff.
While waiting for check-in, we were offered a refreshing lemon sorbet, which was a delightful surprise. The check-in itself was just as quick and effortless, setting the tone for what would become a very pleasant journey.
After unpacking, we headed out to explore the city. We passed our closest neighbor, the Royal Palace, and visited the local market where we picked up a few more traditional garments, to be used in the next day’s photo shoot. From there, we continued to a restaurant recommended by the hotel. It turned out to be an elegant venue where we were received like VIP guests. We ordered a selection of classic local dishes, two of them meat-based, and were delighted to discover that the Cambodian beef was exceptionally tender and full of flavor. In the kitchen worked more staff than guests.
After the delightful dinner, we strolled back to our hotel at a leisurely pace, admiring the beautiful architecture along the way.
A Cambodian beer in the hotel’s outdoor bar, accompanied by a guitarist and singer, was the perfect way to end the evening. I felt a little sorry for both the staff and the performers, as we were the only guests in the bar.
What many people assume about modeling – that it’s all about glamour and simply looking beautiful – couldn’t be further from the truth.
Watching Daniel and Jane work, I saw just how much thought, preparation, and coordination goes into every shot. Lighting, angles, wardrobe, and location all play a crucial role, and the model’s ability to convey emotion and story is as important as the photographer’s technical skill.
Throughout the day, it was fascinating to see the synergy between photographer and model, the way each anticipated the other’s moves, and how countless small adjustments transformed a simple pose into a striking image. It all reminded me on all my years as a fashion model in Europe.
Behind the scenes, that looks effortless on camera is actually the result of meticulous planning, creativity, and collaboration and the dedication to your profession.
Next morning, our first visit was to Banteay Srei, the “lady temple “built of pink sandstone and located about 45 kilometers outside the city. Incredible impressive, with a truly stunning backdrop for photos.
Our second stop was Ta Prom, the famous “Tomb Raider Temple”. Here we could admire the enormous, centuries-old trees, majestic in the way they grew in and around the temple, with their massive roots winding through the stones.
We were taken care of by a wonderful guide Chet, who knew his country’s history well and spoke very good English.
He turned out to be a hobby photographer and eagerly followed Daniel’s directions and movements with his own mobile, while at the same time acting as an assistant, carrying bags and looking after us.
It was a bit complicated for Jane to change clothes behind the boulders while the rest of us kept watch for curious tourists, but she managed it brilliantly.
After a few hours Daniel was satisfied, and we were driven back to our hotel. Never has a cold shower felt so heavenly. We packed our stuff and went to the hotel’s outdoor restaurant for a very late lunch. Once again, we chose the local specialties, and I couldn’t resist a cold beer. It was delightful to sit outside and relax for a while before it was time to say goodbye and head back to the airport.
I must admit that I couldn’t resist making a short stop to buy three bottles of wine to bring back to Bangkok, so much cheaper than in Thailand. I quickly chose a white, a rose and a red, and asked Jane and Daniel to take one each. We were together and I carried all three bottles in a plastic bag as hand luggage. But when it came time for the security check, I was stopped immediately. I had picked up one-liter bottles, and those were absolutely not allowed to be taken onboard.
Talk about disappointment – and a reminder that sometimes-penny-pinching defeats common sense. I didn’t want the bottles poured out under any circumstances, so after quite a bit of persuasion the officers agreed that our guide, who also worked for the taxi company at the airport, could receive the wine. The officer promised to carry it out and leave it at the taxi stand so that our guide could pick it up the next day.
I hardly dared hope it would work out, but the following day I received an email that our guide had collected the bottles. That made me feel a little better, but I was still terribly disappointed.
Our flight back to Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi Airport was rather bumpy with a lot of turbulence, but we landed safely. At immigration we said goodbye to Jane, who with her Thai passport passed through quickly. Daniel and I, however, ran into trouble. We had desperately tried on our phones to download the now mandatory electronic arrival card, but failed. We were directed to a row of screens where people were lining up to complete their cards.
When it was finally our turn, both Daniel and I failed again. I became so frustrated that I asked a policeman, who was directing fast-track guests and diplomats, if he could help me fill in it on my phone. After some hesitation, he did – though, I will never forget the look he gave me, as if I had been born yesterday.
Of course, he managed to complete the download quickly, and then he had to help Daniel as well. We were both upset that there was no staff available to assist. One wonders how elderly people manage with these new procedures. Sadly, it did not feel like the friendly Thailand that once existed.
Our disappointment grew when we discovered that our suitcases had gone missing, and we had to collect them from the baggage storage office. It was a bit of an anticlimax after an otherwise wonderful, brief trip.
I do hope to return to Siem Reap one day. With its river and beautiful architecture, I found it far more appealing than Phnom Penh.
“I am now eagerly looking forward to Daniel’s book “Voyage Mode-Asia Collection”, which will soon be published, featuring beautiful photos from Vietnam and Thailand.”
Now several challenges await in September. Soon SWEA Bangkok will celebrate its 25th anniversary – something to look forward to.
Until then, stay tuned.
