The Mad Monkey Travel and Filming Experience in Cambodia

The Mad Monkey Hostels is like a wish granting factory because it gave me the best of everything I needed to film and travel.

Deciding to travel solo for the first time is the defining moment of my life. I was ready to lead a life of adventure, spontaneity and exploration that one gets from solo backpacking. Cambodia was always the destination in Southeast Asia that captivated and fascinated me. I was saving it for myself and I finally made the trip last June.

My trip is not only about travelling around Cambodia. I am an independent filmmaker and filming will always be the core of any trip I take. It gives me purpose and allows me to see and experience things with heightened awareness and inquisitiveness. I am able to observe the finer details of things and capture beautiful moments. The Mad Monkey Hostels is like a wish granting factory because it gave me the best of everything I needed to film and travel. They house travelling artists and is the ideal base for anyone like me. In exchange for great private room accommodation, Mad Monkey restaurant food and bus transfers, I produced 30 second TVC’s for their hostels in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Kampot.

   Work is editing at the MM Siem Reap rooftop beach bar with iced coffees and sand on my toes 🙂

It was the perfect space that enhanced my filming experience because:

1. Artists are appreciated and are given the freedom to create and express themselves

2. The funky, creative space inspires and excites

3. Dependable security gives peace of mind that filming gear is safe

River Booze Cruise, The Mad Monkey Kampot

It was the perfect space that enhanced my traveling experience because:

1. It houses like-minded, fun travellers

2. There’s always something happening— events,parties,tours and pub crawls

3. The staff is super friendly, genuine, happy and hardworking

4. They’re socially responsible. They have a number of education, art and clean water projects for Cambodia

5. They have quality service, facilities and food

Some videos I made for The Mad Monkey Hostels:

Video of my trip:

Collaborating with Mad Monkey was the best decision I made during my trip. It was exactly what I expected it to be and more. The space provides everything a backpacker and travelling artist would want and need. Having nothing else to worry about, I’m left to just enjoy and explore to the fullest. The Mad Monkey is more than just a hostel. They are a traveler’s community and family. My ideal travel experience with them made my first solo trip even more special.

VIMEO ACCOUNT: https://vimeo.com/biankaismad