Ashley McDonnell: Cambodia was a country that surprised me — it was a mix of feelings

Irish Examiner

2 days ago

Born in New York and raised in Galway, entrepreneur Ashley McDonnell's passion in life is travel.
Living between Paris and Dublin, where she built her career in the luxury beauty and fashion industries, she's been to 60 countries and plans to see the whole world.
As founder of hit podcast Tech Powered Luxury and Ireland's first-ever upcoming Fashion Week, she's constantly on the move, for work, adventure, or both.
Favourite childhood holiday memory
I was very fortunate to grow up in a family that travelled extensively.
My parents emigrated to the UK and then to the US, so I had a very international upbringing.
Even when I look back, I have a photo of my great-grandmother on a camel in Morocco at a time when very few people would have travelled so far, especially women.
She was a true explorer and an ambitious woman who never took 'no' for an answer.
I grew up feeling very comfortable out of my comfort zone and always had a big hunger to see new places.
My best childhood travel memory was in the south of France.
We spent many summers in non-touristy areas, surrounded by French people and families.
That definitely gave me a big love for France and encouraged me to learn French and, ultimately, move there.
Most surprising destination
Cambodia: "It was a surprise that was pleasant; discovering how warm and resilient the people are, but also heartbreaking when I understood the extent of the genocide under the Khmer Rouge."
Cambodia was a country that surprised me. I went there for the first time in 2013, and it was a mix of feelings.
It was a surprise that was pleasant; discovering how warm and resilient the people are, but also heartbreaking when I understood the extent of the genocide under the Khmer Rouge. It propelled me to take action.
I fundraised for the construction of a school in Cambodia while I was a student to help with education, because what happened during the genocide was that anyone who was well educated was a target, and the education system collapsed.
As part of the project, we constructed a computer room and provided electricity, Wi-Fi, and computers to a previously remote area where most people lacked electricity in their homes.
We also made sure English classes were part of it. It opened my eyes to how privileged we are in Europe and the developed world, having access to the internet and education.
Most memorable trip
Botswana: "There was no luxury — very little electricity, no network, barely running water — but it was the most magical travel experience I've ever had."
Somewhere that had been on my wish list for a long time was Botswana.
I finally got to go this year. Initially, I was going to take a solo trip to Namibia, then Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
A week before I left, my best friend, Akash, decided he was coming too. We embarked on a two-week overland adventure in a truck, accompanied by a guide, a driver, and a diverse group of fabulous people from around the world.
My highlight was the Okavango Delta. We stayed two nights on a houseboat, and every evening, had to turn off all the lights at sunset or half the river would join you in your room.
There was no luxury — very little electricity, no network, barely running water — but it was the most magical travel experience I've ever had.
Favourite city
Paris: "Even every time I've moved away, I end up back. I think I've accepted my fate that Paris is a city I'll forever be tied to, and there's no point fighting that."
Without a doubt, it's Paris. I love the city, and wherever I go in the world, I inevitably end up returning to Paris.
Even every time I've moved away, I end up back. I think I've accepted my fate that Paris is a city I'll forever be tied to, and there's no point fighting that.
First and foremost, it's the architecture. If you walk through the beautiful avenues with the Haussmannian buildings, the gardens, the Louvre — that beauty is so deep in the culture of France.
It transcends into fashion, food, language, everything. As someone who is bilingual, I don't have a language barrier. People are always very curious when they find out I'm Irish because it's not what they expect.
They expect someone from another European country, or maybe French Canadian.
Favourite hotel
PuLi hotel: "One of my favourite hotels in the world is the PuLi Hotel in Shanghai. It's located in the Jing'an area and combines traditional Chinese architecture with a modern touch."
One of my favourite hotels in the world is the PuLi Hotel in Shanghai. It's located in the Jing'an area and combines traditional Chinese architecture with a modern touch.
From the spa to the breakfast to the bar, it's the kind of hotel you don't want to leave. When you arrive in China, it can be daunting because everything is in Chinese characters.
At the PuLi, you can still enjoy the whole experience, and you know you can communicate with the staff, as they speak English. The spa is another level, and there's a pool overlooking the skyscrapers and a park.
When you walk out into the park, you'll see retired Chinese people out exercising and meeting each other.
Memorable food experience
One of my favourite countries is Italy. Most summers, I try to go to Capri.
I always treat myself to one exceptional dinner, and two years ago I finally booked a table at L'Olivo, a two-Michelin-star restaurant.
Without a doubt, it was the most exceptional dining experience I've ever had. From the starters to the bread to the lemon pasta and the trolley of homemade sweets, everything was perfect.
If you go, be there for sunset because the views in Anacapri are stunning.
Favourite thing to do while travelling
When I'm going on a personal trip, I look for something that's completely different to my day-to-day life. In the last years, it's been adventure.
I've signed up for expeditions in some of the most remote places. The trip I'm preparing for now is a horseback trek across the country's largest mountain range in Kyrgyzstan.
We'll be camping, staying in yurts, with no electricity or running water. I just think there are so few places left where you can have that experience.
My bucket list trip
Papua New Guinea: among the countries on Ashley's list.
I genuinely want to travel to every country in the world in my lifetime. Every country is on my bucket list.
Every year, I try to go to a few countries I haven't been to before. That's how I'm almost at 60 countries.