Authors

A trained chef and sports aficionado with extensive experience across South America and Asia. Leon’s culinary creations celebrate local flavors, while his love for sports like football and boxing connects him with local communities.

Gareth Johnson is the founder of Young Pioneer Tours and has visited over 180+ countries. His passion is opening obscure destinations to tourism and sharing his experience of street food.

Reece is a South-East Asia based writer and journalist that originally hails from Northern Ireland. He has previously written for Philippines Lifestyle News, as well as for our previous publication Khmer Nights.

Marielisa Padilla is a multilingual expert in smart cities, sustainable urban development, and circularity. She has lived on three continents and collaborated with more than 25 cities worldwide to co-create innovative urban solutions. Now based in Siem Reap, she supports the Provincial Administration, on behalf of GIZ with projects on smart cities, sustainable tourism, and waste management. Fascinated by Siem Reap’s potential, she sees not only the marvel of its temples and exquisite architecture — true works of science and art — but also the vibrant opportunities that position the city as a hub for sustainable transformation. For Marielisa, sustainability is more than a professional field — it is a way of living. Beyond her work in smart cities and sustainability, she is also a yoga, mindfulness, and sleep coach. She believes that just as balance and awareness can transform cities, they can also transform lives.