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The Shinta Mani Market is back! (And better than ever…)

Posted by Andrea on  |  Leave a comment

Shopping in Siem Reap just got twice as nice as the Made in Cambodia Market, hosted by the Shinta Mani, has expanded to Saturdays and Sundays …

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Truly something special, we are proud to pass along the news that the Well Made In Cambodia is back and expanding to two days a week! Not your average market, this weekly event has delicious food, Khmer entertainment and the best handcrafted, high quality goods available. From jewellery and tailored clothing to soap, bags and everything in between this market presents a one-stop shopping experience to support local quality goods.

Those who attend Made In Cambodia will have the opportunity to purchase fine quality artisan products & luxury goods that redefine what it means to be made in Cambodia today.

I encourage anyone who crosses my path to visit this market as the economic benefits of shopping local are well known and more important in a country so focused on development. Each item for sale has been produced by a new generation of talented Cambodians that I am glad to support.

Held in front of the Shinta Mani Hotel, the re-launching of this one-of-a-kind market and street fair will be Saturday, August 30 with the market continuing every weekend thereafter.

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Free and open to the public from 4-9 p.m. Made In Cambodia brings together the most exciting examples of craftsmanship in Cambodia today. Internationally recognized artisans and designers participating include Cambolac, Eric Stocker Laquer & Textures, Saomao, Grace Gecko Creations and much more.

Live entertainment, artist workshops and wholesome food will round out the market’s festive and diverse offerings.

Whether you are in the mood to shop or not, this weekly event is a must see!

 … Read more »

Cycling tour in Siem Reap gets green

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Narla and Kanika did a cycling tour around Siem Reap over the weekend and loved it. Organized Siem Reap Cycling Adventure, this green adventure was a great way to get out of the city and into nature — added bonus, it ended with a community tree  planting. Here Narla talks about going green…

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Named one of Conde Nast’s Top Ten Cities in Asia,  Siem Reap and the surrounding are combines culture and nature in a unique way. The city is fun and full of amenities but we also love the green landscape here — from the ancient trees in Angkor Park to rice paddies of the nearby countryside. We love to keep this this way and help much as much possible make it more green.

There are many people from the younger generation who are now living in the city of Siem Reap. Many of them are students and workers from the countryside that come to Siem Reap to work in different sector such as NOGs, Hotels, Restaurants and more.

One of my favourite activities is cycling through the temples and the nearby villages — every weekend young residents (as well as tour groups) cycle into nature to get some fresh air after 5 or 6 days working in the city.

Kanika and the team

Last weekend, a big group of cyclist (about 400 people) gathered together for an event call “Cycling for Green Environment” with the purpose of planting tree at the local school — Ta Pang Primary and Secondary School.

Organized by Siem Reap Cycling Adventure this event was a great reminder of how lovely it can be to leave the  city and get back to nature.

The event is start at 7am so that we could cycle together to the school in a village about 20 km away. When we got there, the school director gave a speech to all of us to tell us how important the trees are and how they inspire the kids in this school to learn and get more engaged with nature. We have planted about 400 Koki and Teak Wood trees on the big school campus before heading back on our bikes.

It was also a great way to send a message to future generations that we all love nature and that we will do our best to protect it!

This tour reminded me how much more there is to Siem Reap than ancient ruins. Much of what makes this town, my new home, special is growing just outside the city limits, a message I look forward to sharing with our guests!… Read more »

Travel and Leisure takes note of Siem Reap

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

For the first time ever Cambodia’s tourism hub, Siem Reap, has made Travel & Leisure’s list of Top Ten Cities in the World …

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One of our favourite Southeast Asian destinations has made it to #4 on this year’s Travel & Leisure World’s Best Cities — Siem Reap!

For those of us based out of the Journeys Within office in Siem Reap, it comes as no surprise that the city that acts as gate keeper to Angkor Wat is getting recognition. Ever changing, Siem Reap has much to offer locals and visitors alike — from first class accommodations to one-of-a-kind entertainment. Here we sound off our top six reasons to love Siem Reap.

1. The Food

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For a small city, Siem Reap has more than enough choice for those who love to eat.  Whether you are looking for a taste of Cambodia or comfort food that reminds you of home, Siem Reap has it. From up-market restaurants like Aha to feel-good, NGO-run eateries like Haven, private village dining experiences and authentic Austrian this little town is a culinary cross-section that will appeal to food-lovers of all sorts.

2. The Temples

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Truly awe inspiring, it is hard to describe the size, scale and wonder of the Angkor temples to anyone who hasn’t experienced them first hand. Once the heart of the powerful Khmer Empire the temples extend over modern day Cambodia, the pinnacle of which is the famed Angkor Wat located just outside Siem Reap. While more and more visitors flock to the site each year, it is still possible to enjoy the beauty of this amazing temple complex with the help of our expert guides. In addition, the temples located just outside of town always attract less of a crowd and are the perfect opportunity to unleash your inner Indiana Jones.

3. The Circus

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Acknowledging my bias — I absolutely love the circus  — I still think the nightly Phare circus shows are one of the best additions to small-town Siem Reap. Each Phare show is a perfect cross section of contemporary Cambodian culture with young artists using athleticism to performing new-age stories. The Siem Reap big top is part of the larger Phare Ponleu Selpak arts program based out of Battambang that offers education and cultural preservation to the local community. The students have an obvious enthusiasm for the stage, the shows are engaging and each reasonably priced ticket supports a good cause. Yes please!

4. Day tripping

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Whether you want to see the Cambodian countryside by horseback or kayak through a floating forest, there is more to Siem Reap and the surrounding area than temples. For those who plan to stay after their Angkor passes expire their is plenty to fill an itinerary. Zip lining, ATV tours and helicopter tours  are among the excursion we plan for guests who want to spend a little more time exploring the surrounding area.

5. The Pampering

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Whether you want 2$ foot scrubs daily or to treat yourself to a five-star spa day, Siem Reap has whatever you need to feel better. You can indulge in massages, facials and scrubs to suit pretty much any budget. There is nothing better than spending the day at the spa pampering yourself surrounded by the smell of lemon grass, jasmine and lotus flowers.

6. The Culture

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Over nearly two millennia, Cambodians have developed a unique culture shaped by their ancient passed, Buddhist beliefs and the legacy of the Khmer Rouge. Tough, industrious and family-oriented, there is something about the locals in Siem Reap and the surrounding villages that never fails to inspire new perspectives.

 … Read more »

Get creative at the JWOC volunteer art class

Posted by Andrea on (Updated: )  |  3 Comments

On Sunday afternoons JWOC presents a great volunteer opportunity for those with a creative streak and time to give…

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Sunday afternoons are special at Journeys Within Our Community — a day designed to the artist inside shine.

On Sundays, JWOC holds their art class for local students at 2.30pm — a no-pressure class where anyone is invited to come and play games, sing songs and participate in a simple and rewarding art projects. Basically it is an afternoon designed to channel the creative spirits of our eager young learners.

A favourite volunteer opportunity for our Journeys Within guests, these art classes present a great chance to integrate, even for a short period, with the local community.

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Final fishes!

Like art classes anywhere, the students are split up into groups where adult volunteers are tasked with helping the little ones with their scissor work or other tricky tasks while offering older students encouragement and an opportunity to practice their English.

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A new perspective on fresh faces.

A fun experience at any age, these art classes are a great way for traveling families to see JWOC’s projects in action.

Guests to the class also have a chance to meet with our scholarship students and gain a greater understanding about the work we do within the greater community.

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JWOC students showing off their inner expressionists!

For those looking to give back while on tour — or let their inner Picasso loose for an afternoon — the Sunday volunteer art class is the perfect addition to any  trip to Cambodia.… Read more »

Top Ten Tips for travelling Southeast Asia

Posted by Andrea on  |  4 Comments

Here are some Journeys Within tips to making the most of your Southeast Asian holiday…

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Top Ten Tips to make the most of your holiday

Orient yourself  — When you leave your hotel pick up a hotel card to give to a taxi or tuk-tuk driver for your return trip. It usually has the name of your hotel and directions to get there in the local language as well as in English.

Haggle with a smile — Remember to bargain, it is a way of life throughout Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar and can be fun! Smile and give haggling your best shot, keeping in that 25 cents may not be much to to you, but to a local it can cover the cost of a meal.

Trust your gut — Don’t believe everything you hear. Tuk-tuk and taxi drivers have been know to tell visitors that where they want to go is ‘closed’, has a bug infestation or bad reputation; they might be planning to take you to an outlet where they get commission. Tourist hot-spots are susceptible to scam, so a little skepticism (and maybe a quick Google search) can be a healthy thing.

Kindness of strangers — That being said, don’t assume everyone is trying to rip you off; most locals are honest and want you to enjoy their country. The Golden Rule applies everywhere — treat others the way you want to be treated.

Keep cool — Asian isn’t always as organized or logical as we would sometimes like — try hard no to lose your temper, or even raise your voice, it is counterproductive. Believe us, Andrea has tried! Hot tempers will embarrass the locals while calmer heads will always prevail.

Keep your eyes peeled — The most photographic moments are often the ones you don’t see coming. Have your camera with you and ready at all times. You never know when you will catch the elusive 5 guys or family of 7 on a single motorbike.

Be prepared … with wet wipes — Hand-sanitizer, bug-spray, toilet paper, feminine products (if applicable) – don’t leave the hotel without them. The more remote the location the less likely you will be able to find the essentials. Wet wipes are the key to handling dusty roads and long days touring.

Stay hydrated — Only drink bottled water and drink lots of it. You don’t want to wait until you are dying of thirst or suffering from headaches before replenishing the liquid lost during the hot tropical days.  Dry the bottle if it has been kept cool in a tub of water; who knows where that water came from!

Befriend a local — Don’t hesitate to ask questions, directions or for help. Locals are generally eager to lend a helping hand, much the same way you would be if you came across someone lost in your neighborhood. Plus, it is surprising how much can be communicated with body language!

Accepting Asia — Everyday life, sight and smells will be very different in Southeast Asia compared to home. Go with the flow – the unexpected makes the best stories when you get home!

And one important extra…

Walk slowly and nap often, the locals do!… Read more »