Travelfish correspondent Simon Hare

Simon was born in London in 1966 and made his first overseas trip at the age of seven, a family holiday by rail to the South of France and has barely stopped travelling since. He has lived in the UK, Spain, France, and Thailand and is currently living in Siem Reap, Cambodia, home of the remarkable Angkor Wat temples, where he works for a UK charity that place volunteers with local NGOs. He is fluent in English, Spanish and French, but to date he has only mastered a few carefully chosen words of Khmer, like "Food" and "Beer" and "Fat". Simon's 20 years working as "a suit" in magazine publishing have been described by friends as "long periods of travel interrupted by short periods of work", so it made sense that he should eventually retrain as a travel writer. He studied journalism at night school at The London School of Communications, and in 2011 he called a "time out" on his publishing career and headed west out of London, armed with his notepad, his Nikon and a one way ticket to Asia, via The USA, Mexico, The South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia.
Website: http://www.simonjhare.co.uk

Posts by Simon Hare:

• Review: Siem Reap cooking classes with Beyond Unique Escapes

  First published: 06 Mar 2013
  

  The Cambodian cooking classes advertised by Sojourn Boutique Villas and tour operator Beyond Unique Escapes both come highly recommended — so highly that I’ve managed to use my inability to choose between the two as an excuse to do neither for quite some time. So, when a visiting friend booked us onto a half-day course, … read the full post

• Power outages in Siem Reap

  First published: 01 Mar 2013
  

  UPDATE, Tuesday, March 5: Electricity supply has now returned to normal in all parts of Siem Reap city, according to our various sources. *** UPDATE, Sunday, March 3: Lengthy power outages continue to affect most of Siem Reap, and authorities have not yet given any firm date as to when services can be expected to … read the full post

• Siem Reap’s Psar Leu Market

  First published: 27 Feb 2013
  

  There is nothing like a visit to thriving city centre market to make you feel really connected with the local culture. While Bangkok has Chatuchak, Saigon has Ben Thanh, and Phnom Penh has the art deco Psar Thmei, what does Siem Reap have to compete with these mercantile icons? The answer is Psar Leu, a … read the full post

• Banteay Kdei

  First published: 25 Feb 2013
  

  Close to Siem Reap, with its own unique appeal and much quieter than your average Angkorian ruin, Banteay Kdei offers the perfect antidote the crowds at Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm. It is also conveniently close to the Big Three so you can easily add it to your one-day itinerary, enjoy a little … read the full post

• Review: Khmer Kitchen Restaurant, Siem Reap

  First published: 20 Feb 2013
  

  With its deep red and warm yellow decor, lively atmosphere and rows of wooden tables, Khmer Kitchen bears an uncanny resemblance to a Spanish venta or a Mexican cantina. But the similarity ends with the decor and what you will actually find at this busy eatery in Siem Reap’s tourist centre are generous portions of … read the full post

• The ‘Made in Siem Reap’ craft market

  First published: 13 Feb 2013
  

  Visitors to Siem Reap are often disappointed when they get home to discover that many of the Cambodian souvenirs they bargained so hard for in the heat and the crowds of the Old Market are actually made in China. Thanks to the Angkor Handicraft Association’s new gold seal of authenticity, and its recently opened ‘made-in-Siem … read the full post

• How to see the Siem Reap Giant Puppet Parade 2013

  First published: 10 Feb 2013
  

  Puppet construction is well under way and the marching bands are booked. Whether you have planned it deliberately or just happen to be in Siem Reap for the 2013 Giant Puppet Parade on February 23, getting a good vantage point on the night is crucial if you want to see and hear the parade in … read the full post

• Cycle safety in Siem Reap

  First published: 06 Feb 2013
  

  The area around Siem Reap is prime cycling country. It’s flat, picturesque, and — if you are lucky — quiet.  However, accident rates on Cambodia’s roads are staggeringly high, and while most of your cycling will probably be on the quieter back-roads, you will have to tackle one or more of Siem Reap’s busier “arterial … read the full post

• Review: Victory Guesthouse, Siem Reap

  First published: 27 Jan 2013
  

  Finding budget accommodation in Siem Reap that might make you want to stay in with a good book rather than go out visiting the awesome temples of Angkor is a bit of a tall order. But the friendly staff, spacious rooms from just $8, and the convivial atmosphere of its communal lounge and restaurant all … read the full post

• Cycling around Siem Reap

  First published: 17 Jan 2013
  

  For cyclists, Siem Reap is genuinely twice blessed. Firstly, all the major sights are within easy striking distance of the town using pedal power alone. And secondly — and more importantly given the tropical climate — the terrain is pretty much flat as a pancake, making cycling a year-round possibility. Many hotels and guesthouses include … read the full post