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Year 5: 2008

In 2008 Journeys Within opened an office in Laos and was honored with a World Saver’s Award from Conde Nast Traveler.

village laos

2008

Milestones:

Started Journeys Within Laos Office

Journeys Within receives the World Savers Award from Conde Nast Traveler Magazine

US Office moved from Sacramento to Truckee, CA

Touring to these countries:

Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Burma

Press:

ABC News Money Matters: Socially Conscious Travel: Interview with Andrea Ross, CEO, Journeys Within Tour Company

Conde Nast Traveler: 2008 World Savers Awards

Conde Nast Traveler: 128 World’s Top Travel Specialists

Daily Traveler: Help Cyclone Victims in Myanmar

Conde Nast Traveler: Guilt Free Tripping

Elite Traveler: Journeys Within Cultural Support in Southeast Asia

LA Times Travel & Adventure: How to Positively Impact the World Through Travel

Key Hires:

Nicole volunteering at Phik Noy school in Luang Prabang

Nicole Long:

What year did join Team Journeys Within?:

I joined in 2008.  First, I joined the Journeys Within Our Community team in July of 2008 by heading the first branch out of our projects from Cambodia into Laos. Then in December of that year I joined the Journeys Within Laos office officially as Country Director.

What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:

I felt very excited to have an opportunity to work with this grassroots company that had a huge philanthropic heart in a country that was extremely unfamiliar to me. Sure, it was a difficult at times adjusting to a completely different world than the one I knew for the last six years working in NYC.  However, being in this exciting and sometimes overwhelming position taught me a great deal personally. It all forced me to reassess expectations and adapt myself to the ways and culture of Laos. It almost felt like my freshman year of college all over again!

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Phaeng in Luang Prabang with a view of the mighty Mekong River

Houmphaeng “Phaeng” Phommaly

What year did join Team Journeys Within?:

2008

What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:

I am so excited at that time so I know this company would grow.

Special Memories from 2008:

1.Phaeng Finding new B&B hotel Sep2006
Phaeng and John head by motobike to look for office space in Luang Prabang
2.Phaeng TOur Inspection Jul2008
Phaeng, Seila and Kristina on a tour of the Mekong River in Luang Prabang
3.Boat Trip Pak Ou caves Jul2008
Seila and Phaeng at the Pak Ou Caves in Luang Prabang
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Preschool kids at Phik Noy School (which is sponsored by JWOC) excitedly wait new school uniforms
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Students at Phik Noy School in Luang Prabang. Look at those smiles!!
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Neon green rice paddies in Laos
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A Buddha’s silhouette at Pak Ou Caves, Laos
Mekong trip in Can Tho with JW guests
Khoa guiding a tour on the Mekong Delta
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Phaeng, hard at work in the JW Laos office
Sunset over the Mekong in Luang Prabang, Laos
Sunset on the Mekong in Laos
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Tui, April and Gavin giving alms to a monk in Chiang Mai
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April’s son Gavin (2 years old) at a temple in Siem Reap
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April and her husband Chris visit Angkor Wat for the first time
Narla, Jill, Seila, Sours, Makara meet at the lobby of Journeys Within B & B
Narla, Jill, Seila, Sours, Makara meet at the lobby of Journeys Within B & B

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