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Narla's American Adventure – Part 2: A Little Pick Me Up

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Narla’s American Adventure
Part 2: A little pick me up

I am writing this as I wait to pick up Narla at the San Francisco International Terminal and I have butterflies in my stomach, I can’t imagine how excited and nervous he must be. His impending visit is already affecting my perspective: driving on the freeway here I marveled at all the cars and how big the roads are, when I stopped for fast food I got excited to think of showing Narla the beauty of the drive-thru, the Bay Bridge, which I have driven over hundreds of times suddenly seemed an impossible length and I finally appreciated that it’s a double-decker bridge! All of these things that I take for granted are going to be shocking and awe inspiring to someone that has never left the third world!

I think beyond seeing his jaw drop at these ‘little’ things I really am excited to show Narla our country. He has spent so much time and energy showing Brandon and I, and all of our guests, his country, that it seems only fair I return the favor. I know he’ll take it in stride and appreciate this experience and I can’t wait to watch!… Read more »

Narla's American Adventure – Part 1: Up, up and away

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Narla’s American Adventure
Part 1: Up, Up and Away

Narla left Cambodia today and is on the longest flight of his life (by far) on his way to the US. He has traveled with us to Vietnam and Thailand, but this is his first time out of Southeast Asia and to a developed country. He wrote me a message from Taiwan:

 

*** 

Dear Andrea,

 

I would like to inform you that now I am arriving Taipei, waiting for my connecting flight. 

When I depart from Phnom Penh have some Cambodia but few of them are going to San Francisco.

I am fine and everything is good.

 

Here is pretty big and so excited to see, so many shops selling alot of stuff : )

 

I’m looking forward to see you soon.

 

Best regards,

 

Narla

*** 

I can hear the excitement in his voice and can’t wait to see his big smile!… Read more »

Happy Birthday Sela!

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Today we posted a happy 23rd birthday message for our friend and colleague Sela. However – after we posted the birthday message we found out he is actually 26!!! Below is his kind response to our totally embarrassing Happy birthday message…

Dear April

 

I am so sorry about my age. I did not mean to tell lies to all of you. Actually, I was born on Tuesday, September 10, 1983. When I started primary school I was on of the only oldest boys in the class. It was very late to start grade one when I first moved to Siem Reap after the civil war in my village. So the teacher had an idea that I can reduce my age to the younger age and told other kids that I grew up faster than my age. Now I can not change it. It is legally used for all my paper work, birth paper, CV, ID card etc.

 

Today I am 26 years old. Thank you so much for putting me on the blog and thank all of you.

 

Thanks,

Sela Chham

Happy 26th Birthday Sela! Here are 23 (oops! I mean 26) things we like about you:

1. You work hard

2. You care about people

3. You are a great teacher and role model

4. You are a wonderful host

5. You have a great smile

6. The way you dance

7. You let Brandon pick you up by your head

8. How proud you are of your wife and baby-to-be

9. Your silly sayings on skype

10. That you hate social injustice

11. Your amazing life story

12. That you aren’t afraid to fight Toung (you’re the only one!)

13. How frugal you are

14. Your outfit for the 50 cent concert

15. Your silly hair

16. How much you care about your mom

17. How organized your calendar is

18. How small your handwriting is 

19. You know Loc Lac should have a lime with salt and pepper

20. You have more energy than just about anyone

21. You are a great waiter

22. You are funny

23. You have a great heart!

 

AND…

24. Picked up Quickbooks faster than anyone….ever

25. The funny sentences you make up to teach grammar

26. Changing his age is not the weirdest confusion he has caused…we all remember the gardener formally known as Jam.… Read more »

Travel in Thailand is Continuing as Usual – updated.

Posted by April on (Updated: )  |  1 Comment

I’m going through a bit of dejavu at the moment with the current issues in Thailand. Two years ago I was living in Bangkok when the Coup against Thaksin occurred (my son is named Couper in honor of this fun, but at the time, rather undramatic, event). The truth was that we found out about the Coup through CNN and we had to drive to visit the tanks and see the demonstrations because we didn’t believe it. While the unrest at the moment has caused some temporary airport closures and is obviously something we have to pay attention to, it is dramatized in the media and is not affecting the day to day lives of the Bangkok people or tourists visiting the city. We have put below an update from our Bangkok office as well as the official Thailand Tourism Authority update. At this point travel can continue as usual and we don’t expect any problems over this high season. We will keep updating this is there are changes.

Thanks,

Andrea

****

Update as of 10 September, 2008:

Dear Andrea,

This is the current situation in Thailand with regards to the political situation.

On Tuesday afternoon (09th September) The Constitutional Court disqualified the Thai Prime Minister, Samak Sundaravej from holding the office of Prime Minister. Mr. Samak was forced to step down immediately and a caretaker Prime Minister is holding this position at this moment.

Mr. Samak was forced to step down because he breached the constitution by hosting a TV cooking show, for which he received a nominal salary. A Prime Minister can not be employed in an external role according to Thai law.

On Friday 12th September, the ruling PPP Party will meet to choose a new Prime Minister and have stated that they will re-elect Mr. Samak again to lead the country.

What this means is that Mr. Samak will again be Prime Minister and the same political deadlock will probably continue.

For tourists visiting Thailand there will be no affect. The country is calm and stable and there are no problems for visitors to our country. In all tourist areas, life is going on as normal.

We will continue to update you on any developments.

Best,

Waew

**** 

This is the current situation in Thailand with regards to the political situation and demonstrations.

 

Demonstrations:

The government has declared a State of Emergency restricting numbers of people who can meet together in a group, after one person died in a clash between anti-government (PAD) supporters and pro-government supporters. The Prime Minister has said that this will last for only a few days. The pro-government supporters have disbanded and are going home and the situation is calm at the moment. Dialogue is continuing and it is hoped there will be a resolution this week.

 

Airports:

All Thai airports are open and are operating as per normal at the moment. The Union for Thai Airways have said that they may delay arrival/departures of international flights but no action has been taken as yet.

 

Railways:

The trains are running as per normal at the moment after being closed at the weekend.

 

Strikes:

Many Unions are planning to strike and are threatening to cut off electricity, water and telephones to Government House and major Police stations. This will not affect other Bangkok citizens or tourists.

Bangkok Transit Authority have suspended 80% of local buses in Bangkok and the rest will offer free services to the public. 

 

The Bangkok City ;

There are no tourists affected by the demonstrations which are confined to the area near Government House, from experienced several similar political situations, usually, things will be resolved quickly, and life goes on as usual.

 

Please be assured that all of our guests will be well taken care of by Journeys Within Bangkok and we will continue to update you on any developments.

 

Best,

 

Waew

 

Director, Bangkok

Journeys Within

 

****

Official Tourism Authority of Thailand statement, per phone conversation with their office.

 

“Although there is current political unrest in Thailand, everything is opperating as normal for Bangkok citizens and tourists alike. The protests are centralized in political buldings. The only current situation we are advising tourists to stay away from is the Marble Temple in Bangkok, as it is located next door to a political building. We are recommending that it is currently ok to travel in Thailand.”

 

Journeys Within would like to note that we do not have any tours running to the Marble Temple in Bangkok.

 

****

You can view current official notices by the US government on the situation in Thailand here:

 

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/embassy/wwc/recent.htm

 

 … Read more »

Happy 30th Birthday Andrea! from the JW Team

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***

Although Andrea and I have only known each other a short time, we’ve already shared many memorable moments…

We’ve been on narcoleptic elephant rides and monsoon-drenched bamboo rafts in Thailand. We pulled a mattress over a second floor balcony with a very thick string and stared at a pile of wood in an attempt to will it into a desk. We’ve eaten everything from mouthwatering New Zealand steaks to burned discs of dirt that were called “hamburgers.” We’ve suffered through stinky foot pasta and mosquito-infested warehouses. We witnessed the magic of baby wizard booms and the hilarity of Frank in a plaid loincloth on his daily rounds.

Here’s a Beerlao cheers to your 30th and wishing you a few work-free days of celebration (and an empty inbox upon your return).

 -Kristina

***

We would all like to wish you a very happy birthday from Bangkok Office!  You are now turning 30 years old and have to behave responsibly be a good Mother, Wife and the Boss, we know you can handle it !!  Congratulations for the second consecutive year in Conde Nast Traveler Magazine, we are proud to be apart of Journeys within we will work hard as much as we can, thanks so much to give me the time off for our honeymoon we had a great time, I’ll send to you some photos.  Keep up the good work and send us 100 bookings a month J Have a great day and I hope you got everything you wanted, please say hello to little Boss Callie & Couper and Uncle Brandon, we all miss you !!

 

All the best……

Bangkok Office

 

***

…..Happy 30th Birthday to a terrific boss and dedicated mother and wife.  I hope this day brings you happiness and laughter and I hope you enjoy this milestone with your loved ones! 

 – Melissa

***

Almost 3 years that I am working at Journeys Within. Ever since I started here I have felt like Journeys Within is the best place to work and Andrea is very nice to me. She taught me how everything works and always gives the good advice.  Now I am confident with my work and am learning a lot from it.

 

Another special memory is my trip to Vietnam and Thailand that Andrea arranged. These trips  been the best experiences of my life so far. Each part of the tour I had different good memories and will never ever forget them. One thing that I never forgot with Andrea is the days that we toured Dalat , Vietnam (with Brandon, Callie and Couper). It was SO cold! And Andrea asked me, “are you ok Narla?” This question made me happy and feel like have her taking care of me all the time while I’m in Vietnam.   I’m really enjoy with my both trip Vietnam and Thailand.

 

August 30th is Andrea’s birthday, so I would to say  “Happy Birthday to Andrea” . I am wishing Andrea success, happiness, healthy and get done all her great jobs. Now I am doing my best job to make everything going well with the tour for the guests. Andrea, if anything that I can help to make the company good and you happy please let me know at any time.

 

Again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! : )

 

Best,

 

Narla

***

Well, well, well. Look at you Miss 30-Year-Old Thang!!  Who would’ve guessed that you’d do so friggin much in less than 10 years! Well, you probably did. 😉

 

I’m so honored to be able to call you my friend – and colleague!! I wish you all the luck in the world, and pass along all the good vibes I can give. Have a wonderful 30th birthday! Hope to see you soon!!

 

Love – Lindsay

 

***

Geez! I don’t know why this little blurb is so hard to write. I would love to write something smart and witty, but I am just at a loss for words. What I would like to say is that I am so honored to be a part of this team and to be learning and working with you. You are brilliant, kind, funny and a great friend.  It is not often that you meet someone who is so passionate about what they do and still so hands on and is successfully making changes and an impact in the world. You are a true rarity. I hope that on your birthday everyone else has the clarity to see how fantastic you truly are – what a perfect gift that would be.  (Dang, I am good at picking out presents! Ha Ha Ha!).

Happy happy birthday .

April

***… Read more »