No one seemed to be able to pick just one photo this week so it’s really a photo montage of our adventures around the globe:
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Kwanchanok “Jeab” Meechai/Thailand Director/Bangkok, Thailand
I had the road trip with my family to Cha-Am. As monsoon season is coming so it rained so heavy on our way there then we had to stop the car at the gas station. I was praying with the sacred temple beside the road and told my accompanies that there will no rain at the beach no worries and it worked out! This trip included my Mum, Dad, Dad’s new wife, brother, me and my little dog (Brownie). It’s been long time ago that we did not go anywhere together since we all apart so it was nice that everyone come back and spent time together.
Cha-Am beach is located 26 kilometers before get to Hua-Hin beach. Cha-Am is been very popular for Thai people (but I like Hua-Hin more as the sand and quality of water much more nice.) We had brought food from home and bring some small things for cooking at the beach but also can buy the food from the shops around there. Before I had seen some tourist (Farang) there but yesterday none, I am not sure why, it’s because of economic crisis or effect from politics problem or maybe both. We had a great day.
Andrea Ross/Tour Director/Siem Reap, Cambodia
We also got to spend some time at the beach this week. We went on a family trip to Sihanoukville. Couper loved the ocean, Callie was a big fan of the $1 lobster and it was interesting for Brandon and I to see how Sihanoukville is changing.
Journeys Within Our Community/Non Profit/Southeast Asia
The photo this week is of one of our most loyal and active donors. Leah Petty has been fundraising for JWOC for the last two years and she finally go to come to Cambodia to see the projects. Her most recent fundraiser allowed JWOC to buy two new GPS tracking systems so we can have more well teams out tracking and recording wells at a time. Leah went to see some of the well repairs going on and to see the GPS units in action, as well as meet some of the recipients of the clean water she has helped provide:
April O’Connell-Cole/Tour Consultant/Truckee, CA
Born and raised in California, I have not once taken for granted the beauty and diversity of this great state. I have lived and traveled throughout Cali. I love the beaches, the mountains, the cities, Hollywood 😉 – I love it all. But there is one place that holds a special place in my heart and that is San Francisco. Recently my family and I spent a week here and re-discovered the city. We rode the cable cars, ejoyed the incredible cusine, wandered through Union Square, went to a very Californian Giants vs. Dodgers game, explored the many museums – and we had an incredible time. Here are a few pics from our visit to the “City by the Bay”.
Nicole Long/Laos Director/Luang Prabang, Laos
What can I a say about Vang Vieng, Laos? It’s completely beautiful, peaceful and underrated! Sometimes I forget that I live in one of the major cities of Laos, Luang Prabang. But Luang Prabang to some cities I have lived in before, like New York, is miniscule in comparison. Most of all that come to visit Luang Prabang comment on beautiful landscape and laid back vibe of the city. Well, Vang Vieng is MUCH MORE laid back than Luang Prabang. The small town is located off of the Nam Song River surrounded by beautiful limestone cliffs. The laid back feel is probably one of the major reasons this town has become a backpacker haven. I have to say I was a little worried when I went down to inspect some hotels and it as a possible JW tour destination this past Lao Labor’s Day weekend.
I hate to give the term backpacker a negative connotation. I usually have to travel in foreign countries in the backpacker manner. I am specifically talking about the backpacker who travels across the world just to party. And Vang Vieng is notorious for that so, I was a little skeptical.
What I came to find out was that indeed it was filled with backpackers looking for the best party. Many of the backpacker bars have backpackers working in them. They stay and work for free with the owner providing them free board, food and booze. But that is not all I found out.
I discovered that there is another side to Vang Vieng to explore and experience. The few hotels there I inspected were quaint and quiet with breathtaking views. One could be completely content just taking a couple of days relaxing in the scenery and watching river life pass by from their hotel room view. Also, this could be a great option for a bit of adventure. You can rent a bicycle or motobike for VERY cheap for the day. On the other side of the Nam Song River are endless caves and crystal clear lagoons for swimming. It was extremely peaceful riding a bike out into the countryside discovering different caves and lagoons. I have to say there just wasn’t enough time in the day to cover all that there is to see.
I have included some of the sights of the enchanting Vang Vieng. Most are from my bike ride through the country side and at the caves. Let the pictures convince you there is more to Vang Vieng than a place to stage a bar crawl.
