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!
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:
Phaeng and John head by motobike to look for office space in Luang PrabangPhaeng, Seila and Kristina on a tour of the Mekong River in Luang PrabangSeila and Phaeng at the Pak Ou Caves in Luang PrabangPreschool kids at Phik Noy School (which is sponsored by JWOC) excitedly wait new school uniformsStudents at Phik Noy School in Luang Prabang. Look at those smiles!!Neon green rice paddies in LaosA Buddha’s silhouette at Pak Ou Caves, LaosKhoa guiding a tour on the Mekong DeltaPhaeng, hard at work in the JW Laos officeSunset on the Mekong in LaosTui, April and Gavin giving alms to a monk in Chiang MaiApril’s son Gavin (2 years old) at a temple in Siem ReapApril and her husband Chris visit Angkor Wat for the first timeNarla, Jill, Seila, Sours, Makara meet at the lobby of Journeys Within B & B
What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:
In 2007 Andrea had just been named a Conde Nast Traveler Magazine Top Travel Specialist and she wanted to make sure that the level of service that the company provided was up to the standard that the magazine had said it was – from the booking process all the way through to the tour. At that point she decided to open a US office and that’s when I applied for Journeys Within. From what I read about the company it was philanthropic focused, which was something very important to me, and also a great company to work for as it was family friendly, but I wasn’t sure if it could possibly be as good as it sounded. After I spoke with Andrea I knew that Journeys Within really was as good as it sounded and maybe even better! Andrea spoke with such passion about Southeast Asia, the tour company, JWOC, and her vision for the future of the company. I knew from that first phone interview that this was a great company to be a part of and that it had incredible things in store and I couldn’t wait to join the team!
Special Memories from 2007:
We visit Koh Ker for the first time and start offering trips to this amazing temple complex. These more remote temples allow for a completely different temple experience, away from the crowds and bustle –getting there however, required some dedication. The tours included time with the “magic man”, a lovely man who is reported to be invincible.Journeys Within also launches our first kayak trips through the flooded forest and out on the Tonle Sap Lake!Callie and Srey Nut start school, which the Journeys Within kids team continues to grow. (Couper seems to realize that as a boy he is outnumbered!) Andrea and Brandon head to Vietnam with the kids.Andrea attends one of the first ever guide training dinners in Bangkok.Callie sees the ocean in Phuket.
Our Loas office often refer to each other as family, as they have grown so close working together. Over the years they’ve made many special memories and have watched the company and each other grow. Take a look at their reflections of their years with team Journeys Within.
We love Loas. This small, but infinitely charming country is the surprise favorite of many of our guests. Below are the team members that help us show off the beauty of Laos.
Houmphaeng “Phaeng” Phommaly:
Phaeng and Nicole — our Laos dynamic duo.
What are your thoughts about Journeys Within now?:
I don’t think I can find other companies that has such best team and so big now as I can see we have more groups coming in each year.
What are your thoughts on the next ten years (or just the future) for Journeys Within?:
I think this company not just stay at the same level but it will be one of top company in the world and we have our own unique tours.
What is your favorite memory working with Journeys Within?
I had so much favorite memory working with Journeys Within. When we have Guide Training and Tour Inspection I have such a wonderful time.
Nicole Long:
Nicole and the Laos team during training.
What are your thoughts about Journeys Within now?:
Honestly I am still excited about working with Journeys Within and how with each passing year we continue to grow by adding to our team, extending ourselves further to new countries and in creating new innovative tours. Even though we have grown, we have continued to stay true to our goal of quality over quantity. I feel as if our expertise on the region has grown over the years through continued training, experience, guests feedback and having eyes and ears on the ground.
What are your thoughts on the next ten years (or just the future) for Journeys Within?:
I think with our aims still in mind we will continue to improve each year. I know that the people on our team really believe in Journeys Within as a company that strives to give guests experiences of a lifetime. I think with that belief we will only continue to grown and improve our services. If you build it, they will come!
What is your favorite memory working with Journeys Within?
It is so hard to choose a favorite memory over the last 5 ½ years. There have been so many that have been made of these last years that I will carry with me forever. I think the majority of my favorite memories come from spending time with the Lao community or my Journeys Within team. Whether it was scouting tour options in villages or team building experiences with guides or joining all the SE Asian Journeys Within team in Cambodia; they were all awesome moments in my life!
What I love about working for Journeys Within is that these memories will continue to be made. Even today I added to my favorites when Phaeng, Laos Country Director and I went out to a village that we have been sponsoring for the last 5 years to give uniforms and shoes to all the students. Journeys Within sponsored 2 new uniforms and a pair of shoes for all 58 students at Phik Noy Primary School. Seeing all those smiles just warmed my heart and made me extremely proud to have the opportunity to represent Journeys Within.
Bousone Phonepaserth:
Bousone visiting Ban Kok School.
What are your thoughts about Journeys Within now?
In my opinions Journey Within is a best company to provides any trips for tourists who are wanting to travel in Southeast Asia. On the other hand, Journeys Within is also a very professional tour organization that can highly recommend the best destinations for traveling.
What are your thoughts on the next ten years for Journeys Within?
I expect that we are a constantly growing team of travel specialists. Our goal is to provide quality travel experiences benefiting our valued clients and that shows consistent growth in knowledge and services.
What is your favorite memory working with Journeys Within?
Even though I just started to work with Journeys Within only 10 months ago but I have made many great memories with the JW Team. I got many experiences, knowledge and help from our team. We are working closely to help each other like we are a big family.… Read more »
In the third year, Journeys Within grew in size and experiences offered, with more staff added, Couper being born and Burma being included on the list of countries we serve.
In 2006 Myanmar officially named its new capital Naypyidaw, meaning “City of the Kings”, after the military junta moved the national capital from Yangon to a site near Pyinmana in November 2005. At the time, less that 270,000 people visited Burma — a number that has ballooned in the last few years to over 2 million.
That same year Journeys Within started offering tours in the country, looking to help outsiders access this insular but fascinating place.
In 2006, Andrea’s family also grew by one with the addition of her son Couper, while at Journeys Within, we expanded our presence in Thailand.
2006
Milestones:
Andrea’s son, Couper, born
Journeys Within B & B Bungalows completed
Started offering tours to Burma
Touring to these countries:
Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Burma
Key Hires:
Khoa Dinh Nguyen:
Khoa on the Mekong.
What year did join Team Journeys Within?
2006
What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:
I was guiding a tour and got chatting with a few guests who had just completed their Mekong Experience Trip with Journeys Within and they were raving about their trip and also how Journeys Within work in such a professional way for their tours and guides.
Linda Chhay:
Linda is always quick with a smile.
What year did join Team Journeys Within?:
2006
What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:
That is the small tour company and in the Siem Reap office I work only me, Sela and Andrea, because per day we do only 2 or 3 new itinerary.
Narla Phay:
Narla (far right) with Makara, Brandon and Seila on Christmas Day, 2006.
What year did join Team Journeys Within?:
2006
What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:
Since I step in into this company in first year, I thought wow… this is a great company to work with because I was always dream of working in the tourism industry also interact with guests. This is not only the reason, the teams make me love my job. I started a receptionist at Journeys Within B &B then been promoted to be a tour director.
Special Memories from 2006:
Staff trip to Sihanoukville where everyone got a chance to enjoy the beach.Andrea’s son Couper is born in Bangkok! And with a fill hotel, Mom and big sister Callie and 2-day-old Couper head back to Cambodia.Callie is growing up! Enjoying her own coconuts, visiting Kbal Spean with Seila and even helping her uncle Barrett take a break from setting up the Bangkok office.Kai-o’s wedding — a happy occasion.Andrea moves to Bangkok to set up the Thailand office and to give birth to Couper. Meanwhile, a peaceful coup takes place sending tanks into town. I guess some things don’t change.
In its second year, Journeys Within marked some big changes, both personal and professional. Along with expanding the Journeys Within Boutique Hotel, Andrea and Brandon expanded their growing family…
2005
Milestones:
Built first Journeys Within B&B Bungalows and added a swimming pool! (An amazing addition that took blood, sweat and tears that has remarkably remains relatively unchanged!)
Opened Bangkok Office
Andrea’s daughter Callie was born
Journeys Within Our Community (JWOC) was founded
First year of Mekong River Experience
Touring to these countries:
Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam
Press:
Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel: Mekong River Journey
The Park Record: International Effort Bears Fruit for Killing Fields Pagoda School
Journeys Within’s Myanmar Tour Manager Dar Le prepares for take off.
What year did join Team Journeys Within?:
2004
What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:
Very much appreciated to Andrea’s thoughts on “tourism benefits the local people” and trusted that Journeys Within has the future with its own idea.
Special Memories from 2005:
So excited to have a pool and “real” rooms at the Journeys Within Boutique Hotel!The addition of the pool and bungalows was completed just in time for the arrival of Callie Sita Ross. A well traveled baby, here she is pictured on an elephant on her first trip to Chiang Mai.The team getting a kick out of the new pool.
