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Ready Set Go, Go, Go! We’re leaving for guide training!

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

At 01:20am tomorrow morning our guide training trip to Vietnam and Laos begins! Andrea and myself will be taking this trip together, focusing this year’s guide training on family travel.  Ironically, this will be a trip with out husbands or kids – we’ll be far too busy!! I’ve outlined our itinerary below, because there is just no way you will believe how busy we will be until you see the itinerary.

10 Jul 09   Saigon – Arrival and City Tour

April arrives at 1005am

Andrea arrives at 10pm

Arrive in Saigon where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon enjoy a City Tour.

11 Jul 09   Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels / Meet with Vets

Breakfast meeting with the guides for guide training.

Take a full day excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels.  On the way to the tunnels, visit Tay Ninh Cao Dai Great Temple, a unique religion worshiping Jesus, Confucius and Buddha! Enjoy lunch at Ngoc Tuyet restaurant in Tay Ninh. Arrive and descend into the Cu Chi tunnels where the guerilla fighters constructed an amazing underground base and meet a veteran of the Vietnamese/American war who will give you a private tour of the tunnels and recount his experiences as a tunnel rat. Finally, to end our trip, we will be taken to the private home of Mr. Nam where we will have dinner with him and his family.

12 Jul 09   HoiAn – Arrival

You will be picked up and taken to the airport for your flight to HoiAn.

You will be met at Danang airport and driven to HoiAn

Dinner meeting with the guides for guide training.

13 Jul 09   HoiAn – City Tour Half-day

After breakfast your guide will meet you and take you on a walking tour of HoiAn. Visit the Ancient Town including the beautiful Chua Cau, or roofed bridge, Hoi Quan, the ancient meeting places, some ancestral family homes and some of the lovely and hidden pagodas. Have lunch at a local restaurant.

Drive to Danang where you will transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Hanoi.

Arrive at Noibai airport Hanoi, where you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

14 Jul 09   Hanoi – City Tour

Your guide will meet you and will discuss with you what you would like to see. There are so many options that we like to leave it up to you and your guide to decide what suits you best. Some interesting highlights are the Hanoi Hilton, where John McCain and other prisoners were held during the war, it now houses a museum. Or head to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where you can see Uncle Ho laid out to rest. If you like art you can visit the Fine Art Museum or see which local galleries are offering shows. The Temple of Literature is always a nice place to stroll through and is a great stop before or after lunch as you will be having lunch at KOTO, a restaurant benefiting at risk youths. Your guide will be with you all day so discuss what suits you and then have fun. Dinner meeting with the guides for Guide Training.

15 Jul 09   Luang Prabang – Arrival

Transfer to Noibai airport for your onward flight – Vietnam AirlinesVN869 departing at 09:00 & arriving at 09:55

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon meet with JWOC Scholarship students. In the evening, visit the night market. April to go out to dinner with friend honeymooning in Luang Prabang!

16 Jul 09   Luang Prabang – Day in the Life

Today you’ll escape the tourist hubs in town and see Luang Prabang through the eyes of a local. First, you will drive up the Mekong to visit the small village of Ban Mueng Keo, known for its production of Lao whiskey. Here you will receive a demonstration of the whiskey-making process by a local Lao Lao producer. And if you’re up for it, sample the finished product for an early morning punch! From here board a small boat and take a tour of the local fishing area, checking traps with the fisherman along the way and collecting any fish you might find. Return to Ban Pak Ou, where the former village chief and his family will cook you a Lao-style lunch and you’ll learn about dining customs and etiquette. After lunch, drive to the small weaving village of Ban Phone Xay, where you’ll receive a weaving demonstration and have a chance to purchase handmade items directly from the source. Learn the story behind who really makes the beautiful textiles sold at the night market! You’ll be the only tourist in town who knows the real story behind the boffles of Lao Lao, the grilled Mekong fish and the night market stalls. Dinner with guides for guide training.

17 Jul 09   Luang Prabang – Sunrise to Sunset

Wake up at sunrise to give monks morning alms. You’ll be accompanied by your guide who can demonstrate the proper method of alms giving and explain this daily Buddhist ceremony. Return to your hotel for breakfast, after which your guide will take you on a tour of the city, including visits to The National Museum, Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Visun and Wat Sen. Enjoy lunch in town at a restaurant of choice. After lunch your guide will meet you and you’ll continue your tour, finishing with a hike up Mt. Phou Si in the late afternoon to see a sweeping view of Luang Prabang and watch the sunset.

Transfer to Luang Prabang airport from your hotel in time for your flight to Vientiane. Arrive Vientiane where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

18 Jul 09   Vientiane – World Ecotourism Conference

Attend the World Ecotourism Conference.

19 Jul 09   Vientiane – Departure

You will be transferred to Vientiane Airport in time for your onward

flight to Cambodia. You will be met by a Journeys Within representative and taken to Journeys Within Bed & Breakfast. (Andrea)

You will be transferred to Vientiane Airport in time for your onward flight to Bangkok (April). You will go on to Bangkok to visit Jeab and have dinner with the guides.

20 Jul 09   Bangkok – Departure (April)

21 Jul 09   Saigon to Phu Quoc (Andrea)

Arrive in Phu Quoc where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

22 Jul 09   Phu Quoc – Day at Leisure

Have a free day to explore on your own.

23 Jul 09   Phu Quoc to Saigon and departure

While we will be very busy touring, training, inspecting, checking emails and working – this trip will still be a lot of fun too. Andrea and I will be sure to make time to buy trinkets for our families, enjoy the fantastic food and maybe even fit in time for a massage. What can I say, my job is tough ; )… Read more »

Guiding Lights: Somphone Sayasit, Laos

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

Name: Somphone Sayasit
Age: 29 yrs. old
Married with two children, 4 yr. old girl Poy and 1yr. old boy Tino
Worked for tour companies for the last 10 yrs., been a guide for 6

Guide Bio Pic 002

What did it take to become a guide in Luang Prabang, Lao P.D.R.?

When I began working as a guide there was no policy or rules to follow. If I wanted to get work as a guide
I would have to test at the companies individually. There was no one test to become a guide like they do today. When the Ministry of Tourism made it a rule for the guide to have a license I didn’t have to take the test. They just gave it to me because they knew I had been working in the industry for such a long time.

What do you like about guiding?

I like everything about it. I think it is the best job in Laos. Many Lao people do not get the chance to travel around the country,`but as a guide you can see all over this beautiful country.

What’s the hardest part?

Sometimes communication can be difficult. Because people speak different languages you have to work hard to try to understand each other, but I always make sure we do.

Where is your favorite place to take guests?

My favorite place in Laos to take guests is north of Luang Prabang to Luang Namtha. It is very beautiful with nice green forests and such nice people. It is the best place for trekking and kayaking. It is always best to get outside and excercise.


Which restaurant to recommend for guests and what local food should they try?

I think the best restaurants for guests to go is L’Elephant and the 3 Nagas restaurant. They are very nice restaurants with the best chefs. These restaurants have a lot of Western and Lao food. If they wanted Lao food I would tell them to try special foods you can only get in Luang Prabang, Mekong Riverweed, Chili Sauce and Luang Prabang sausage.

What should guests coming to Luang Prabang know?

They should know some things about the culture. They should know that in Luang Prabang and all over Laos you should dress respectfully. If you go to the temple you should have your shoulders and knees covered. And that Lao people do not get angry or show tempers so, it is not good if you show yours.

Favorite guests and why?

There was a german guest who came to Laos for the first time a couple of years ago. I was his first guide. Since then he visits Laos twice a year and has become a good friend. Whenever he comes I am his guide everytime. He is one of my favorite guests because he is a very good person who always helps everyone. He sponsors everyone he meets! He built a small primary school in a village in the countryside and gave them books. When I needed a new motobike and didn’t have the money he bought one for me. He continues helping me by paying for my children’s school and care. He even helped my friend go to the University in Luang Prabang. I have many favorite guests, but he is one of my favorites because he helps so many people and doesn’t ask for anything in return.

Thank you Phone!!… 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.

 

 … Read more »

The Idea Guy

Posted by April on  |  Leave a comment

My husband is an ADDtrepreneur. This is an entrepreneur with ADD. He is always looking for new ideas and often has several going at a time. Journeys Within, the B&B, JWOC, Nikaya, all of this came from Brandon’s head. Now I’m not saying he makes all of these ideas come to fruition, he is also smart enough to surround himself with hard working people who can take his many ideas and make them happen, but still, the ideas are his. The interesting thing about Brandon is that he has very little ego attached to his ideas. Other people can steal them and call them their own and Brandon just rolls with it. I generally take full credit for the tour company and he never bats an eye! It is actually really fun to be around him because you can always see him appraising things – researching ideas, listening to people talk, keeping an eye out for new projects. Most of our staff, Khmer and Western alike, think he’s crazy, I don’t necessarily disagree entirely, but I also think he’s brilliant, he’s the reason my life is so interesting! Here are some of his projects:

 Journeys Within. We now have offices in the US, Bangkok, Cambodia and one coming in Laos, we also have people working for us in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar and it all started when we met a moto driver in Siem Reap 6 years ago whom Brandon wanted to hire.

 Journeys Within B&B. I liked this big house and Brandon said, “why don’t we turn it into a B&B, I bet that would cover the rent.” Our team has grown a bit!

 

 A Crocodile Farm. So I didn’t say all his ideas were brilliant! It does make for cool stories though!

 JWOC. Brandon started helping a small classroom near our house in Siem Reap. Now, three years later it runs two schools, has installed hundreds of wells, is providing college educations to underprivileged students and has brought many families out of poverty with the micro lending division.

 Tire Repair. Really the Michelin Man of Cambodia this deserves its own post. Maybe the best Valentine’s Day present ever, definitely the most creative.

 Koh Ker. We are now the proud owners of 22 hectares of farm land in Koh Ker. Brandon is working with a land management NGO to determine the best crops to grow. Most of his ideas I am able to make happen, for this one he’s on his own, I draw the line at farming!

 

Nikaya. From when we first moved to Cambodia Brandon has talked about marketing some of the beautiful products you can get here to the world. This year he hired a director and we started Nikaya, a fair trade company that will offer Cambodian made products to individuals and retailers in the US. Look from some awesome purses and beautiful home décor coming to our website this summer!

 I think there are some smaller projects I am missing, but there are the ones that come to mind. It does mean my life is a bit busy, but, always, always, interesting! I advise anyone bored with life to find themselves an ADDtrepreneur.

 … Read more »