This week’s Guiding Light is one of our star guides, Santhou. Mild-mannered and knowledgeable Santhou loves to show guests the best of Siem Reap.
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Name: Sen Santhou
Age: 33
When did you begin working for Journeys Within ?
I became a tour guide in 2005 after graduating from university in Phnom Penh in 2004. I decided to move to Siem Reap looking for a better job and I found tour guide is one of the better jobs. I have been working with Journeys Within since 2007.
What do you like about being a guide?
Telling the history of my country to the world and meeting people from other parts of the world.
What is your favorite part about being a guide?
I like having fun with the guests on the job and making good money.
What is the most challenging part about being a guide?
Telling stories or history to people who don’t want to listen or can’t hear well.
What is your favorite thing to show guests?
The real life of my people. I want guests to know how hard my people work and how poor they are.
What kind of things do guests want to talk about with you?
History, politics and the story of my life.
What food / restaurants should guests try?
Real Khmer food — one day I took the guests to a local restaurant which made steam fish and morning glory soup with chicken. They liked it a lot.
What should guests coming to Siem Reap know?
People should look into the history of Siem Reap, the temples and politics.
Most memorable JW guest?
Guests who treat me well. Guests who like to make a lot of fun on the trip. Guest who like to learn about the country that they are visiting.
Remember, if you have a favourite Journeys Within guide, nominations are open for Wanderlust’s World Guide Awards 2014.