877-454-3672

Search Tours ▼

Travel Blog: Our Journeys Within

Holiday in Cambodia

Posted by Kristina on (Updated: )  |  Leave a comment

During my grueling 48 hours of travel from New York to Hong Kong to Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, I experienced my own version of “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (minus the humor of Steve Martin and John Candy). The Asian version: “Puddle Jumpers, Airbuses and Tuk Tuks” was scripted with a different sense of humor—or dread, depending on your perspective—and came to its cinematic end when my nauseated stomach touched down in Siem Reap.

Andrea and Brandon gave me a wonderful welcome and thankfully I didn’t give them a car full of half-digested plane food on our way home from the airport.

My first two days have been a jumble of new people, interesting places and an overwhelming amount of Cambodian smiles. … Read more »

"Voluntourism"

Posted by April on (Updated: )  |  Leave a comment

Recently Brook Wilkinson came and stay with us at Journeys Within. She was writing a story about “voluntourism” for Conde Nast Magazine and wanted to do some research. We had a wonderful time hosting Brook and also showing her the language schools and our other Journeys Within Our Community projects.  She wrote an incredible article about the recent trend of volunteering while traveling, and we are proud to share it with you.

Here is a section of the article by Brook: “…I left Cambodia without the weight of the world’s problems on my shoulders. For once I stayed at a first-class hotel in the developing world and didn’t feel some shame at my good fortune. As Journeys Within… Read more »

From one mother to another.

Posted by April on (Updated: )  |  1 Comment

This is a letter Andrea sent to me regarding my upcoming trip. I found it very helpful and comforting. Although I am terribly excited for our trip, I must admit I have been a bit stressed about traveling with a two year old and fearful of not having our creature comforts readily available. Below is the letter.

Dear April,

From one mother to another: As you get ready for your big trip to Asia next month I wanted to send you some friendly advice mother to mother. For the last two weeks we have been in Vietnam and it has reminded me that traveling can be hard work and traveling with kids can be downright exhausting. Here are some helpful tips that have made this trip go smoother for us and that I wanted to pass on to you, they are in no… Read more »

Song kran Festival!!

Posted by April on (Updated: )  |  Leave a comment

Here are some photos from Song kran festival. At first we weren’t planning on playing in the water, but two of our friends were visiting and have never gone to a Song kran festival so we made sure to do our best to make our friends enjoy Thailand more… so into the water we went! Joel said “I’ve never been so wet like this…all my life” You can see the photos before and after and see just how wet we got! Every time when someone would throw the water at him, Joel would scream…very loud…which only made it more enjoyable/tempting for people to throw more water…and so we got even more wet! We tried to stay away from him 🙂 but he kept running to us to stay close to the group. Anyways, we really had a good time… Read more »

ROCK for JWOC!

Posted by Kristina on  |  1 Comment


The big night is almost here! On Sunday, May 4, we will be throwing a benefit concert, ROCK for JWOC, to raise money for Journeys Within Our Community (www.journeyswithinourcommunity.org) and their new projects in Laos.

The event will be at the Highline Ballroom in New York City at 7:00 p.m. Advance tickets are $10 and can be purchased through the Highline Web site (www.highlineballroom.com). Tickets purchased the day of the show will be $15 at the door.

The fundraiser will feature local rock bands, an improv comedy set, a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses and a DJ set to finish off the night.

Nicole and I will be celebrating our imminent departure for Southeast Asia and raising money for a great cause.… Read more »