Introducing another of Journeys Within’s Guiding Lights, here is Ounkham from Luang Prabang. Proud of his country, culture and heritage, Ounkham relishes the opportunity to show guests the best that Laos has to offer.
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Name: Ounkham Phanthaseng
Age: 29
Married for a little over a year to his wife who is a Bangkok Airway employee. Ounkham lives with his wife’s mother, sister and brother.
When did you begin working for Journeys Within Tour Company?
I started working for JW in Dec 2012 when a mutual guide colleague had to cancel last minute and sent JW my number. Since then I have been working with the company.
How did you become a guide?
In 2006 I got a job with a local tour company but was not freelance. Then I got my national license in 2009.
What do you like about being a guide?
I like to talk with different people from around the world and show them Lao culture, which I believe is unique and unexploited like many others in the region.
What is your favorite part about being a guide?
Traveling is the best part of being a guide. I have gotten to travel all over the country and before the only places I had been to was Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
What is the most challenging part about being a guide?
Touring with a big group of different ages and interests. It can be hard to keep everyone happy and if someone has difficulty climbing then you spend a lot of time helping them and not with the other guests. This is especially hard in Luang Prabang because there are steps everywhere!
What is your favorite thing to show guests?
I love to show people the local temples and explain traditions and the religion of Buddhism because I find so many travelers don’t know much about it. I love to see how the travelers begin to understand the practices and become happy knowing they have learned something new.
What kind of things do guests ask you/ want to talk about?
They ask a lot about Buddhism, history and politics. I find many guests are very surprised to learn about the Secret War in Laos and don’t usually believe it until they see pictures from the time period.
What food / restaurants should guests try?
Local food at a nice restaurant like Tamarind or Tamnak Lao.
What should guests coming to Luang Prabang know?
I think everyone should do a little research before they choose the tours they decide on because guests can be disappointed when go somewhere that isn’t what they thought it would be. For example, Pak Ou Caves is more of a spiritual and holy site as opposed to a great cave. Most travelers love the boat ride the most out of the experiences and not necessarily the cave but this is because they think they will go cave exploring but in fact it is a shallow cave with many Buddha statues. I think that it is a good idea to read up on sites on their itinerary so they are more prepared to what it is and its significance.
Most memorable JW guest?
My first group with JW was Lan Nguyen and her husband Marc. They were really excited to come to Laos and were extremely easy-going, relaxed and happy. They loved going out to the villages on our Village and Temples on the Mekong Tour. We all really enjoyed our time together – they felt like old friends.
Love another of Journeys Within’s guides? Let us know in the comments below and we will profile them for the public. Or nominate them for Wanderlust World Guide Awards 2014.
It was great to read this profile about Ounkham. We really enjoyed our time with him in Luang Prabang.