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Guiding lights: Sina Kaam, Cambodia

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

Our guides are the backbone of our company and our biggest asset. I thought we would do a weekly Saturday blog dedicated just to our guides. Feel free to send in recommendations on who we should interview next and we will try to get to everyone.

I thought it was appropriate to start it off in Cambodia, where it all began after-all. Sina was one of the first guides we ever worked with in Cambodia and we were drawn to him right away. In the beginning Sina was pretty new to guiding so he didn’t get rave reviews, guests said that he was a bit shy and seemed nervous, but we saw such potential we decided to work with him on building his confidence and becoming the guide we knew he could be. Well Sina now exceeds all our expectations and is a joy to work with and be guided by. He gets amazing reviews from guests and is truly a part of the family. I sat down with Sina to discuss who he is and what he does…

Name: Sina Kaam
Age: 35-years-old
Married with two kids, a 7-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl
Started Guiding in 2002

Sina with Apsara
How do you become a guide in Cambodia?

You have to go to school for 4 month, 8 hours a day and at the end you have to take and pass a test. When I did it you could do it for about $200, but now it is much more expensive.


Why did you want to be a guide?

In 1992 I met some of the UN Army and I always asked them the questions and practice my English with them. I like to hear about other cultures and I like to find out about other people.


What’s the hardest part about being a guide?

A lot of guests ask questions about politics in Cambodia and it’s hard because in our culture we aren’t used to talking about this.

What are your favorite sites to show guests?

Of course I like Angkor Wat, everyone in my country is very proud of it. I also like Bayon and Banteay Srei because they are the unique temples and have the amazing carvings.

Where do you like to take guests to eat?

Journeys Within always recommend Khmer Kitchen so I take the guests there, but when I eat there I like it so much so I think it’s the good choice.

What do you recommend for guests visiting Cambodia?

To know everyday life in Cambodia and how they live. I think they should tell me their job and then we can compare to the job here, compare salary and experience and see how the same job is different in different countries.


Any favorite moments in guiding?

I like when the guest teach me things too. I learn the saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side.” I always tell the guests that it’s funny that Western people want the dark skin and Cambodians want the white skin and then they teach me this saying and I think it’s very true.

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Thank you to Sina for being such a great member of the team and stay tuned to learn more about our guides in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar!… Read more »

The Local's View on their Tourist Town

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

Every Friday evening I’m reminded that I live in a tourist town. The grocery store is flooded with people shopping for their weekend away, the parking lots and streets are busy and hectic and I tend to curse way more than usual. Then I stop, breathe and look around at my beautiful Lake Tahoe surroundings and remember the days when I used to come up here for the weekend because it is such an amazing place. I am grateful for the locals who welcomed me into their towns to visit and experience their hometown and hope to be a grateful local too.

Working in the tourism industry I realize that when I book a tour to Southeast Asia, I am sending our guests into someone else’s hometown. As locals in the incredible Southeast Asia area, I asked some of our staff to share something about their hometown that only a local would know.

 

Andrea Ross/ Director of Tours / Local in Siem Reap, Cambodia

 

1. If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?

I don’t think I have a lot of choice on this one… it has to be Angkor Wat!

 

2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?

I love the Old Market. I go and visit Pisey and watch people shop and bargain. I also happen to love my own swimming pool.

 

3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?

Our town has been pretty well documented. The National Museum is new and I don’t think people realize how good it is, it is worth a visit, especially since it has AC!! You can also take a horse ride with Happy Ranch through the countryside, including walking through a temple or two! My aunt and I took a New Years ride on December 31st and it was a blast, a really unique way to see the countryside.

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4. Is there anything you would like to add about the place where you live?

If you’re here, come and visit us J

 

Kwanchanok “Jeab” Meechai/ Bangkok Director / Local in Bangkok, Thailand

 

1. If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?

I would suggest them to go – Patravadi theatre has offers good food and tasty and nice location. Also if whoever interested for the performance they can also do after the meal.

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2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?

My favourite thing to do in town is taking my dog to get a walk at the weekend at the ministry of public health. There is a lot of dog lover coming to meet up and join the weekend. I have attached my dog’s photo(Shi tsu) So I just think that there are so many foundations here still need helps like the money to support for the dogs and cats who the owner left them behind when they don’t want them anymore or had no time to take care. I know they are unlucky dogs from irresponsibility human but you can visit the link at www.home4animals.org and www.scadbangkok.org perhaps you would like to visit and play with them.

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3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?

I would like them to know Ancient City: There is combined with interesting places of all 4 parts of Thailand there so this trip can take only one day to get to know about Thailand.

 

 

Nicole Long / Laos Director / Local in Luang Prabang, Laos

 

1.  If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?

That is such a hard one!  I would have to say either Kuang Si waterfall or Mt. Phousi at sunset.  They are both natural and beautiful wonders.  As many times as I have seen both I remain in awe.  One extra plus Kuang Si has over Mt. Phousi is that you can take a refreshing dip in the green blue water on a hot day. You really feel like your on a movie set in a tropical jungle and then you realize that you really are (but don’t worry you rarely see any wildlife swimming around with you)!

 

2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?

To be honest one of my favorite things to do in my town is hang out with local families and absorb their traditions and customs. They are always so welcoming and warm that I feel as if I am at home.  It is always a fun experience when they have reason to celebrate. The celebration is filled with tradition, smiles, food, and a lot of dancing (which I love).   A lot of times it can be a bit overwhelming because you’re the only farang (foreigner) and everyone is watching and taking care of you.  And you are always asked by the older Lao gentlemen of the village to dance.

 

3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?

I don’t know if there is an actual location I think tourists should go, unless they are feeling very adventurous.  Since Luang Prabang is such a small town most tourists just stay in the main part of town and rarely go beyond about a ten block radius.  I think if a tourist really wanted to try authentic food and see how the lao spend their days and evenings then I would suggest to go a little outside of town (honestly you don’t have to go far to get the “real” experience).

 

4. Is there anything you would like to add about the place where you live?

I would only add that I hope when people come to visit Luang Prabang they take a second to really take in the beauty of the surroundings and the people.  To keep in mind that as nice as the main part of town appears, Luang Prabang is still a third world country (one of the poorest in SE Asia).  So be kind and appreciate of all that you receive while visiting and your visit here will be that much more special.  And one helpful hint:  learn a little bit of Laos phrases for your trip. The locals LOVE it when a farang speaks a little Laos, it shows respect. 

 

 

Narla Phuon/ Cambodia Director / Local in Siem Reap, Cambodia

 

1. If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?

I will suggest them to go to Angkor Wat temple becuse it’s a temple that most the people wish to see when they are coming Siem Reap town. Visiting Angkor Wat temple complex it’s not just only the temple that they can see and explore the Cambodia history, but can also see the cocal people selling the sovenir, farmer planting and cuttting rice, understand about our tradition and culture.

2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?

My favorite thing to do in town is having dinner with friends after the work done.  It’s nice because we all working and no time to see each other, so it’s nice to meet and enjoy food together.

3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?

Kulen Mountain is the places that not have very many tourist go there.  There is a water fall up on the mountain. It’s not a natural site but it’s also an old place that have old temple on top was build by King Jajavaman II in 9th century. Overthere is crowded when Cambodia having the big ceremony but quiet when the cecemony done especially at rainny reason. Tourist can go there to explore about our nature and history tourism.

4. Is there anything you would like to add about the place where you live?

No, this is all have but If I found something that I think it’s good to see  I will suggest people who coming to visit Siem Reap town.… Read more »

Sela's Cambodian view of beautiful Laos

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

When I first stepped into Laung Prabang I felt like I was in the heaven. The country is so full of mountains and farmland, it is so beautiful! When I arrived at the guesthous, I did not want to relax so I immediately went out and walked around the city. I was surprise how the level of the country was mountainous, and not flat. I

 

The weather was very nice, but it was cold and foggy at night. In the morning you could see the fog around the edge of the hill. I love the way the city has built itself around the Mekong River.

 

There are a lot of restaurants along the Mekong River and around Mount Phousi where I had the chance to try the Laos food – and especially the sticky rice. At first they gave me a small bowl of sticky rice and I thought that it was not enough for my big belly. I soon found out that they packed a whole lot of sticky rice into that small bucket! I like sticky rice. The Laos people say I will be fat if I eat a lot of sticky rice.

 

The town becomes very busy between 7 and 9pm because a lot of tourists are walking around the night market buying souvenirs. I like the Night Market. In the day time people use it as the main road but at night they turn it to the night market where a lot local people sell their products.

           

Laos people are very nice and very honest. They smile at you all the time when you see them. One time when I went to the local market and went to buy something and negotiate with them they thought I was Laoatian, but I am not.

 

On July 3, I walked around the town alone and saw a lot of beautiful things. In the afternoon, I went on the city tour to the National Museum which used to be the Royal palace. All the decoration is beautiful and you can see the Royal family’s house! The last king of Laos was King Sisavangvong. The guide told me many stories about how famous he was. He had nine wives!. After visiting the Museum I went up to Mount Phousi. From up there you could see all of Luang Prabang, all the buildings and the coconuts trees lining the long roads and of course the Mekong River. The last place that I saw was Wat Xieng Thong. There you can see the powerful architecture of Laos style.

 

The next day I went hiking to Kuang Si Waterfall. On the way there we went through many villages and I went to visit people in the villages. The people were all so nice to me. They talked to me and told me how they make their living. After I went through all the villages, it took me about four hours and half to walk through the jungle up and down the mountains. Once I got to the waterfall, it was cold. At the waterfall you can swim in the clear natural water, but I couldn’t because it was freezing to me. I also saw some bears at the waterfall. In the evening I had dinner at the Tum Tum Cheng Restaurant. The place was simple but the food was great and the staff was very helpful.

 

After breakfast the next morning I set off the to the Pottery Village and took a local longtail boat on the Mekong River. After a big lunch I visited the Pak Ou Cave or the Naga cave. I like the nature of Luang Prabang. Along the Mekong river I saw a lot of beautiful farmland and trees.

 

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My own "First Time Asia" tour

Posted by April on (Updated: )  |  1 Comment

May 5th I started my very first journey to Southeast Asia. Although I had an itinerary in hand and what I thought was an extensive knowledge of the land, there was no amount of books or movies that could have prepared me for the beauty of this part of the world. The people’s warm attitudes and kind smiles are the only thing that could over out shine the surrounding scenery. I have completely and utterly fallen in love with Southeast Asia. I could go on and on and on about each and every incredibly amazing detail, but I don’t think the space in this blog would allow for it. Below is a highlight from each city my family and I toured.

Bangkok, Thailand- The phone rings. I look at the clock 06:00 – is it morning or evening? The room is dark and I’m exahusted after a long flight and a busy day touring the city. The phone rings again. “Hello?” I answer. “Hi April it’s Waew.” “Hi Waew – is it morning or night?” She laughs. I assumed that meant night and remembered that I was supposed to meet her for dinner. I basically sleep walk to the elevator to meet her and Jeab in the lobby. Too tired to really talk, I lazily apologize for my jet-lag hang over and slow footed, follow them down busy Silom Road for dinner. By the time dinner was finished and a bowl of ice cream was in front of me I had woken up from my daze and began to chat away like my normal self. Waew and Jeab giggled a couple times and I know it was because they were humored by my ability to talk non-stop. I was even laughing at myself at times.  We all continued laughing and chatting thoughout our walk to the hotel. This get-together was extended as we all were having so much fun getting to talk in person. It truly felt as if I was sitting down with best friends from long ago. As the hours grew later I needed to go back to sleep and recover from the jet lag. I was sad to say goodbye, but knew I would be coming back to Thailand sometime to visit my new friends again. 

Waew and me in Bangkok

Chiang Mai, Thailand – It is a tradition in the Buddhist culture for the monks to walk the streets in the early morning for the community to give them food. I did not understand why this happened until I witnessed it for myself. Our guide, Tui, explained that the monks need to make a selfless commitment as an act of faith and get up early the weekday of their birth and walk throughout the community. The local community makes the same faithful commitment to give to the monks on this day. In turn both the monks and the local people are committed to their faith and each other and continuously perform selfless acts. This astounded me. What an incredible way for people to join together in their faith and community and work to better themselves and the world around them. As my family and I took part in giving the monks food I felt I was included in a very special part of their lifestyle and I was honored and moved. I was certainly one of the most memorable parts of my entire trip.

Giving to the Monks Chiang Mai

Siem Reap, Cambodia – The moment I stepped out of the van and was standing face to face with Angkor Wat I literally lost my breath. It is quite simply the most beautiful and awe-inspiring place I have ever seen. I was a bit overwhelmed by the magnitude of its beauty and deep history. No amount of books or pictures could ever describe the true wonder of this magnificent place. I felt I could have visited every day for years and still discovered new things.    

A second favorite moment in Siem Reap was our tour of a local village. We were taken away from the hustle and bustle and tourist scene of Siem Reap city and shown the true and marvelous Cambodia. At one point an older woman came up to me and held my hand and smiled and said something in Khmer. I asked my guide what she said and he said that she was thanking me for visiting Cambodia. It was truly moving. The boat trip to Baray Lake and exploring ruins without tourist guide signs and walkways was the moment I was waiting for on this trip. I felt I had the opportunity to view the temple in their honest form. No improvements, nor renovation – just the ruins. Seeing the quiet peace of the lake and the ruins was a moment I was able to sit back and absorb. It was easily placed up on the top of my favorite moments. 

Krabi, Thailand – If you knew me, you would know that my husband is a major inspiration in my life. Yes, he challenges me in many ways to be a better person, but to be honest one of the reasons I love him so deeply is his fun and excitable approach to life. In Krabi he successfully reminded me why I adore him so. The moment the sun rose on our first morning in Krabi I awoke to see Chris sunscreen on and skim board in hand. “Are you ready to go?” he asked. I knew there was no way to convince him to wait for me to have my coffee. I grabbed a cup of joe to go and we were off to the beach. I’m sure you are wondering what the heck a skim board is – well, it’s a board that is meant to “surf” the wave break or shore break on the beach. From sun up til dusk, Chris was catching the waves breaking on the beach. Seeking more of a challenge Chris rounded up a large piece of driftwood and created a rail to ride on. Picture this – a wave comes in Chris runs, drops his board into the inch deep water, jumps on the board then somehow manages to get the board up on a giant piece of wood on the beach slides across the wood then spins around in the water. This is the type of entertainment my husband provides all the time! Of course I attempted to skim board myself. While I wasn’t brave enough to “hit the rail” I did manage to ride a couple waves and had a great time doing it.

 

Koh Lanta, Krabi, Thailand – While most special moments are described as an action, the island of Koh Lanta itself stands alone as a precious memory. Quite simply, I was whisked away to paradise and never EVER wanted to leave. Secluded white sand beaches, lush tropical rain forest, the sound of Gibbon monkeys hollering in the distance—Koh Lanta was paradise found and a place I certainly plan to visit again.       

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Village life

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

One of Siem Reap’s many squatters’ villages is a short walk from the Journeys Within B&B. JWOC built its first wells there and I went to check it out with Brandon and some volunteer students from Loyola Marymount University. Brandon wants to get a business started that the JWOC scholarship students can run themselves, so we went into the village to research business ideas and assess the need for different services.

There are places blocked off where potential roads will go if they’re ever built, but for now the village is connected by a sequence of dusty tan trails. Some structures are built with corrugated metal or wood and seem relatively sound, while others are thatched with palm leaves or draped with tarps.

Because of the nonprofit projects most of the villagers have seen Westerners, but it’s still a treat for them when we arrive. They all know how to say “hello” and as soon as they spot you a harmony of hellos hits you from all angles. Groups of kids rush over wanting to show you things, while the shy ones gather to watch from a distance. I was just another giant white lady with a camera, but with this kind of welcome you would’ve thought I was Brangelina.

The kids love to get their picture taken and they’ll follow you around in hopes of getting their chance. Their favorite part is seeing themselves on the photo playback screen and they run away giggling as soon as they see their faces on the monitor.

As we walked back to the B&B—a short distance from poverty to luxury—I tried to imagine living without a toilet or electricity and what it must be like to put what little money you have into a “house” that could be destroyed any day.

What really resonated with me was the overall mood of the village. For all their hardship, the people were in great spirits. Everyone was smiling, the kids were running around and playing in the rain, the adults were chatting and playing cards. I expected it to be a bit more somber, but it was actually pretty upbeat.

Maybe they’re making lemonade, or maybe it’s just a Cambodian thing. I don’t think I’ve witnessed a happier, friendlier group of people anywhere. Each country has a different draw: gorgeous beaches, great food, beautiful sights, and although Cambodia has all of those things, the real draw is the people. Their smiles and good hearts are the reason you want to return.

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