One thing we love about traveling is getting to shop for unique items in local markets. Throughout the region there are many wonderful things to buy, like curios from a market stall or furniture from a factory. Southeast Asia boasts some of the best shopping in the world, between designer shops in Bangkok to night markets in Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang, and from boutique stores to Hilltribe markets in Vietnam and Myanmar. This wide variety of options also means that consumers are responsible for selecting their purchases wisely.
Environmental protection in Southeast Asia is in its infancy. Be mindful when purchasing items from local markets or food from restaurants that are made from threatened and endangered species. Many struggling families make ends meet by catching endangered creatures to eat or sell. Additionally, many of these items are illegal to bring back to the US.
Snake Wine, a commonly sold souvenir in Southeast Asia.
One popular souvenir that we frequently see in markets is snake (or scorpion) wine, so we decided to do a little research on whether it is legal to bring snake wine back to the US. It seems that as far as US Customs are concerned with snake wine, the type of snake contained in the bottle is what matters. Importing cobras, which are the snake most commonly used in wine, is illegal because they are an endangered species. Bringing back items made of endangered species is illegal in the United States, as these species are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which applies to live and dead animals. However, it seems that snake wine made using non-endangered snake species is acceptable as long as you declare it and the proper officials inspect it in the airport. (You can find more information on the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
Palm Wine, a legal alternative souvenir to Snake Wine.
That said, we always encourage travelers to support sustainably-sourced items, particularly where animal products are concerned. Although items like snake wine are traditional to the region, there is some debate about the how the snakes are acquired – some are farmed but many others are captured from the wild and demand from tourists has drastically increased how many snakes are used. Be wary of purchasing other products or food made from other animals such as turtles, sea horses, sharks, tigers, rhinos, and elephants.
For alternative souvenirs to snake wine, we suggest items such as palm wine, woven textiles (which are much lighter and easier to pack), locally-made artwork, jewelry or handmade clothing, among many other unique options.
Other Shopping Tips:
Try your hand at bargaining!
Shop Locally – Just like at home, one of the biggest ways that you can make a difference in communities is to use your consumer dollars wisely.
When looking for gifts to take home, keep your eyes open — there are plenty of shops around Southeast Asia that sell cheap goods made in China, but instead, why not look for locally produced, hand-made versions of the souvenirs you want. The price difference is usually very little and by purchasing products made in the communities you visit, you help support long-term job creation and the local economy.
Shop Environmentally-Friendly – Consider the amount of litter that comes with your purchases — if you don’t need a plastic bag, ask them not to use one.
If you are shipping goods home, be aware that the final price can end up much higher than they quote you so we recommend that, if you can, you carry the articles with you, even if this means paying excess luggage. If you do ship anything home, please make sure you get and keep complete documentation of the sale, the shipping quote and arrangement and be prepared to pay import duty at the other end.
And many more! Be sure to ask your guides for suggestions and when you travel with Journeys Within, you’ll receive a Cheat Sheet with our favorite shopping and dining options in each location.… Read more »
Some of the Journeys Within Team (from left to right) Sone, Nicole, Ounkham, Onkeo, and Naida
Over the next several weeks, some of the Journeys Within team is on our annual inspection tours throughout some of our Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia tour locations. This is an exciting time of the year for us to visit the countries we love and return home from our journeys revived with inspiration for travel, and with new stories to tell our followers.
I am Marketing and Booking Coordinator, Kena Cataneso, for our Truckee, California location. I will be blogging on behalf of Journeys Within this spring as I make my way through Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Luang Prabang, Phonesavanh, Vientiane, Pakse, and Siem Reap.
Kena Cataneso at the Grand Palace in Bangkok
Follow my journey for updates and travel tips on some of our key locations and tours throughout the months of April and May, and get inspired for your own next adventure.
The first three days – An Introduction to Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai
For travelers who seek to acquaint themselves with highlights of Thailand, these Journeys Within tours are ideal:
Day 1: Bangkok: Public Transport City Tour with Klongs
Day 2: Chiang Mai: Elephant Daycare at Patara Elephant Farm
Day 3: In and Around Chiang Rai
These tours are customizable to the guest’s preferences and schedules, though Journeys Within can make recommendations on the best timing to schedule certain tours and activities to beat crowds and the sun on hot days.
A view from one of Bangkok’s many canals.
Bangkok: Public Transport City Tour with Klongs
Guests who arrive in Bangkok via international flight late in the evening prior to this tour have the option to be picked up at the airport by van with a Journeys Within guide. This is a favorable option as guests will typically experience fatigue, jet lag, and if you’re at all like me, disorientation and irritability after a day of flying with potential connections and delays.
I arrived in Bangkok an hour late, around midnight, due to a delay with my connecting flight in Korea. The process to go through immigration and to pick up my baggage took about one more hour, putting me at nearly 1 am. At that point, I would not want to navigate my own way to my hotel. Bangkok is large and taxis are expensive, and public transportation does not run 24 hours a day.
Guests can choose to arrange their own transportation or use a taxi from the airport to their hotel, but it’s worth speaking with a Journeys Within Tour Consultant to discuss their priorities, options, and budget. Our Journeys Within Tour Consultants are transparent with our guests about practicality with logistics.
I was thrilled to be met outside the baggage claim by my guide. He took my bags, and walked me to my air conditioned van where I was provided ice cold water and a fresh, cold towel.
Kena, from the US Journeys Within office and Guide Ron, from the Bangkok office.
This time in Bangkok I inspected VIE Hotel, which is located a half hour from the airport. I was pleased to stay with VIE Hotel on my introduction night to Thailand. VIE is a large, modern hotel situated in the heart of Bangkok.
I haven’t traveled since last year, and frankly, it was a huge comfort to stay on my introduction night in an immaculate hotel with all the luxuries I would expect from a high-end hotel in the US. An insider tip to VIE – they automatically upgrade all guests to nicer rooms if they are available. I was upgraded to a suite.
The rooms are appointed with dark wood and the high ceilings provide a feeling of grandeur. Once I arrived at my room I promptly charged my electronics, which require no adapters for the power outlets, as they are compatible with standard US power cords. The restroom was equipped with a rain shower and fresh white bath robes.
I awoke the next morning reborn and ready to tour the city, especially after the complimentary international breakfast buffet, which is a veritable feast of international options.
Why public transport for the tour? The answer is simple; public transport in Bangkok is incredibly accessible, efficient, and inexpensive. The option of private transport by van may offer some guests a feeling of privacy and independence, however, traffic in Bangkok is heavy and guests using private transport will find themselves often sitting in traffic and with considerably less available time on their itinerary to tour.
I was met in the lobby by my guide and we were only a few minutes walk to the Skytrain, which is immaculately clean and air-conditioned, and then we took a short boat ride to The Grand Palace.
An exhibit of the Royal Family’s history at The Grand Palace in Bangkok.
The Palace is, by every meaning of the word, grand, with what seem like miles of murals that depict an epic Indian poem, multiple Temples highly ornamented with gold leaf and glass mosaic, a miniature construction of Angkor Wat, many Buddha statues, a weapon museum, and gift shop. Another insider tip – visitors may stand in line at the box office to buy tickets for entry, or there men and women sitting at the gates near the entrance who also sell tickets.
I asked my guide if they have ever been known to sell fake tickets, but he said no. I enjoy having guides whenever I visit historical landmarks, as I prefer to have a historical and religious context of the places I visit. My guide gave me information about every building and temple we saw at The Grand palace, and information about the Royal Family and how the buildings were influenced over the years.
An exerpt from the extensive mural at Bangkok’s Grand Palace.
My guide took me to a massage parlor once we finished our tour of the The Grand Palace, which was heavenly after my long flight the day prior. The rest of the day was spent strolling the nearby flower and produce markets, we had a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, and concluded the day with the klong tour. Klongs are the canals that run throughout Bangkok. My guide told me that Bangkok is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of Thailand”.
What to Wear for this Tour:
Sunscreen
Insect repellant
Hat or umbrella (seriously, the sun is very hot)
Loose fitting, breathable clothing, i.e. cottons, linens, long skirts and pants, and shirts that cover the shoulders
Sandals or walking shoes
Chiang Mai: Elephant Daycare at Patara Elephant Farm
My departure time from my hotel was at 6:30am. My guide met me in the lobby of VIE Hotel and rode with me in the van back to the airport so I could make my transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. My bag was overweight and I opted to pay the charge rather than fuss with having to carry something more. Insider tip: If traveling to Thailand via Bangkok Airways, go to www.bangkokair.com, register for Premier or Priority Flyer Bonus, and get 10-20 additional kilograms added to your standard luggage weight limit. Other airlines will have similar options.
The flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is one hour and a half, then a couple hour’s car ride. Once again, I was met by my Chiang Mai guide and given ice cold water and cold towels.
Chiang Mai is quaint, the original city measuring only roughly one square mile. My hotel, the Rachamankha, is located within the boundaries of the original city. This place is so incredibly unique, I could do an entire blog on the hotel alone. The Rachamankha, designed by a renowned architect father and interior designer son, has received numerous accolades and press for its design. The accommodation is the essence of Zen with ornate roof lines, the rooms centered around courtyards with beautifully manicured landscaping, rock walkways, and the entire property is decorated in the family’s own personal art collection. To stay here feels as if to be a privileged guest at an acquaintance’s extraordinary property. In the evening, spiral sticks of incense burn and subtly fill the space with fragrance.
Rachamankha in Chiang Mai, Thailand
I met with the General Manager, Paul Walker, who has been managing the property for over a decade and is an utter wealth of information about the hotel and Chiang Mai. We spoke over tea, which was served out of gorgeous blue and white china. Every detail of Rachamankha is the well thought out construct of taste and imagination. Walker explained to me that the design at Rachamankha comes first over pragmatism. This is not a property that was designed under the constraints of compliance for accessibility or safety regulation. In fact, here’s another insider tip: this hotel welcomes guests age 12 and older. This is for a few purposes, one being the potential for slips and falls of smaller children; the art collection that decorates the guest rooms and common areas is priceless and must receive the necessary respect of all guests; most guest rooms (with an exception of the suites) face one another in a courtyard, so noise from small children could disturb the zenful state that this property has worked so hard to achieve.
Walker showed me the property in its entirety, which also includes a pool, a library with a collection of the owner’s books, a restaurant, and a studio upstairs from the restaurant which may be used for small meetings. Walker said small yoga groups have visited and held classes in the studio on occasion. Insider tip: there is complimentary cogniac for guests in the library.
The library at Rachamankha.
The hotel has been a Chiang Mai favorite of celebrities, such as Angelina Jolie, according to Walker. He says that they receive repeat guests every year from all over the world, and that Rachamankha is a true home away from home for people who have come to know and love Chiang Mai. Insider tip: there is free live music from local artists almost every night in the courtyard at Rachamankha.
The months in late spring and early summer are considered “low season”, primarily because many tourists would rather not travel in the hotter months. I’d recommend travel in Thailand in April to anyone. It is hot and humid but worth experiencing the benefits of low season, like less crowding and more privacy at accommodations. For example, I went for a lovely night swim at Rachamankha and had the pool entirely to myself.
I could have spoken with Walker all afternoon about the property’s design theory and Chiang Mai’s architectural history, but I had to stay on tour schedule and visit Patara Elephant Farm.
Patara Elephant Farm
Patara is located 45 minutes outside of Chiang Mai. Journeys Within can coordinate transport for guests from their hotel in Chiang Mai to Patara. Once at Patara, guests are provided fruit, juice, and all the water they desire. I did a half-day at the farm due to my schedule, but whole day visits are also available. We first got to observe the elephants and play with a baby elephant. Then we fed the elephants, learned about the elephants, their names and commands, and bathed them. The elephants are gentile and the staff of Patara very attentive. The elephants are humanely cared for, an objective that Journeys Within prides itself. Our brand is cognizant of the humane treatment of animals on all of the tours we book. Insider tip: The staff takes photos and GoPro video which they provide on a complimentary DVD at the end of the day.
Kena at Patara Elephant Farm.
What to Wear for this Tour:
Lots of sunscreen
Lots of insect repellant
Hat
A swimsuit as a first layer, do not intend to bathe the elephants in a swimsuit alone. Thai people are modest, so visitors should dress accordingly.
My departure from my hotel was at 7:00am. I was met at my hotel by my guide and the drive was a few hours throughout the countryside, stopping first at natural hot springs, where visitors may dip their feet if they like, and do a little shopping and barganing. Then we stopped at The White Temple, or Wat Ong Khun, which was built in 1997 by a man renowned as the greatest artist in Thailand, Chalermchai Kositpipat, who designed and funded the project. He volunteered himself to build it, at the cost of 400 million Bhat. Insider tip: admission to the temple is currently free of charge until October 2016.
The White Temple in Chiang Rai.
My guide told me the history of the temple and its artist, and explained details of Buddhist beliefs and how those beliefs are reflected in art. The exterior of the temple is ornate and stunning, regardless that it is only one color. There is also a museum located on the temple grounds that contains artwork by Kositpipat. The inside of the temple as well as the paintings in the museum include some unexpected depictions which are both commentary and satire on American politics. These provide an interesting Thai perspective on the Bush Administration, 9/11, terrorism, and American pop-culture. Also located on the temple grounds is “The Golden Toilet”, an ornate golden temple-like building that houses a restroom, which visitors readily wait in line to use. Insider tip: there is another restroom down the walkway behind The Golden Toilet and to the left, which is very clean and there is no line.
Throughout the rest of the tour day, we visited the villages of the Akhe tribe and the Mien tribe, stopped for an authentic local lunch, and then visited a street market just outside the border of Thailand and Myanmar. To finish off the day, we visited “The Golden Triangle”, renowned for centuries as the epicenter of the opium trade. This location offers a hilltop view of the Mekong River, with a temple situated at the top that is 1000 years old. We also visited the nearby Opium Museum, which provides a history of the opium trade, as well as information about local tribes.
The Opium Museum, located at the Golden Triangle.
There are many stops throughout this tour day and a lot of walking. As usual, I returned to an air conditioned van, ice cold water and cold towels. I stayed at Laluna Hotel & Resort, which I was relieved to find to be like an oasis away from the city after a long day of touring. Laluna’s guest rooms are centered around a large pool, and while it feels like a retreat it is a short taxi or tuktuk away from city life. Insider tip: taxis are available right outside the hotel.
What to Wear for this Tour:
Lots of sunscreen
Insect repellant
Hat or umbrella
Loose fitting, breathable clothing, i.e. cottons, linens, long skirts and pants, and shirts that cover the shoulders
Sandals or walking shoes
Next up in this series of blogs, I will journey from Thailand to Laos via riverboat on the Mekong. I will spend 12 days touring throughout Luang Prabang, Phonesavanh, Vientiane, and Paske. See more photos of this journey on our Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/journeys_within/. I will post blogs weekly and photos depending on the strength of my hotel Wi-Fi connections, so stay tuned to get an insider account of some of our tours!… Read more »
A lot of our tours are for first-time visitors to Cambodia, which is great, but you can’t fit in a lot of the more remote options in these tours so I always love it when returning guests want an itinerary that takes them away from the main highlights and explores a little more off the beaten track. This last week I had a wonderful guest who wanted just that. She has a short amount of time, but a large amount of energy and spirit! I was, in fact, so excited for this that I ended up putting together two itinerary options for her. One includes Battambang and its amazing train, and the other goes East out of Phnom Penh and includes some of the more remote and, in my opinion, more unique temples. Our guest did choose one of the following tours for her Easter holiday. Which one do you think she chose and which one would you choose?
-Andrea Ross, CEO of Journeys Within
Journeys Within Custom Classic Cambodia – Option 1
24 Mar 16 Phnom Penh: Arrival
Arrive on your flight – arriving Phnom Penh at 17:40.
Arrive in Phnom Penh where you will be met by an air conditioned van and driver and will be transferred to your hotel.
Meals Included: None
Overnight at La Librairie Hotel – 1Single Chambre Declassees
25 Mar 16 Phnom Penh: Royal Palace and National Museum
This morning take a tour of the Royal Palace, which to this day is still the royal residence. See the amazing royal collection and the beautiful architecture before heading to the National Museum, where you will be taken around by a trained museum guide who will show you some wonderful pre-Angkorean pieces as well as a number of special pieces from the temples. Return to your hotel for lunch or have your guide drop you off in town where they can help you find a good lunch spot. Remember to take a look at our Cheat Sheet which lists a number of our favorite restaurant recommendations!
Leave Phnom Penh early by air-conditioned car and head towards Battambang. The roads are basic and the countryside is a mix of small villages and rice fields. Here you retrace the steps of many Cambodians who, back in 1975, were forced from Phnom Penh and sent to Battambang to “work for the revolution.” On a good run the journey should take around 5 ½ hours. Once in Battambang, your guide will take you to your hotel in town.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at La Villa Hotel – 1Single Standard Room
26 Mar 16 Battambang: Village Tour with Bamboo Train
Have breakfast at your hotel before heading out into the countryside and learn more about life in one of the local villages. Here you can learn about local industries, such as the methods of making jars, rice paper, and spring rolls, and visit one of the markets where you can try some local delicacies. Continue on to Wat Banan, one of the best preserved temples in the area. Please note it is quite a climb up to the temple (360 steps!) but the view at the top is well worth the climb.
Enjoy a well-earned lunch at a local restaurant, before finishing your tour with the unique experience of riding the bamboo train. This fun little adventure will take you along an old track through some wonderful local countryside, where you will stop to visit the nearby brick factory and village before heading back to your hotel mid-afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at La Villa Hotel – 1Single Standard Room
27 Mar 16 Battambang: Thma Puok Village Homestay with Narla
After breakfast, you will be met at your hotel by your driver and Narla at 9:00am. The drive to Thma Puok is approximately 2 1/2 hours, and along the way you will stop in a village for an opportunity to try local snacks such as sticky rice. When you arrive in Thma Puok, you will go straight to Narla’s family home which will be your homestay for the evening. A traditional family lunch will be served, and you will have some free time to relax and chat with Narla’s family. Later in the afternoon, you will take a village walking tour where you will meet some of Narla’s relatives and neighbours before walking to Prasat Kasen (Mote Temple), and ancient Hindu temple located next to the village. In the evening, return to your homestay and enjoy a traditional dinner with Narla’s family and friends.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Homestay
28 Mar 16 Banteay Chhmar Temple and Drive to Siem Reap
Start the morning with your choice of a home-cooked traditional breakfast or go into the village for local-style noodle soup. After breakfast you will drive approximately 30 minutes to the beautiful Banteay Chhmar temple. Banteay Chhmar dates from the late 12th to the early 13th century and it means Narrow Fortress. The massive temple complex, along with its satellite shrines and reservoir (baray), comprises one of the most important and least understood archaeological complexes from Cambodia’s Angkor period. Next, you will take a short drive Banteay Top (Fortress of the Army) a small, but impressive temple that was constructed around the same time as Banteay Chhmar. You will enjoy a local picnic lunch at Banteay Top before making the 2 hour drive to Siem Reap. Narla will accompany you to your hotel for check-in before saying goodbye.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Picnic lunch
Overnight at The Aviary Hotel – 1Single Tailorbird Standard
29 Mar 16 Phnom Penh: Departure
Your guide will meet you at your hotel for your private hour-long transfer to the airport in Danang and will ensure that you arrive in time for your onward flight – Cambodia Angkor Air K67114 departing Siem Reap at 16:25 & arriving Phnom Penh at 17:10.
Catch your connecting flight – Departing Phnom Penh at 19:15.
Meals included: Breakfast
PLEASE NOTE
This itinerary is currently in progress and does not reflect hotel room availability. The pricing is not final until the itinerary has been confirmed and booked.
Tour Rate: $ 1,890.00 per person based on 1 people traveling.
Price includes:
Air tickets Siem Reap – Phnom Penh
Boat tickets as specified above
Accommodation as specified above
Air-conditioned car/van with driver
Licensed English speaking guides
Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
Meals as specified in itinerary, including water
Price excludes:
Personal expenses
Visa fees
Airport tax
Drinks (except water) and meals not mentioned in itinerary
Tips
Journeys Within Custom Classic Cambodia (Option 2)
24 Mar 16 Phnom Penh: Arrival
Arrive on your flight – arriving Phnom Penh at 17:40.
Arrive in Phnom Penh where you will be met by an air conditioned van and driver and will be transferred to your hotel.
Meals Included: None
Overnight at La Librairie Hotel – 1Single Chambre Declassees
25 Mar 16 Day 1: Phnom Penh – Sambor Prei Kuk
Your driver will meet you at your hotel and will drive you to Kampong Thom. Arrive and relax at your hotel and enjoy the swimming pool.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Sambor Village Resort – 1Single Deluxe Single
26 Mar 16 Day 2: Sambor Prei Kuk – Preah Vihear
You will be met by a local community guide at your hotel and head to Sambor Prei Kuk, Pre-Angkorean temples that date to the 7th century. You can explore the temples by bicycle before enjoying lunch in a local home. After lunch, say goodbye to your guide then get back on the road to Preah Vihear and arrive in the early afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Preah Vihear Boutique Hotel – 1Single Deluxe Room
27 Mar 16 Day 3: Preah Vihear Temple
Today you will go to the much disputed border with Thailand to see Preah Vihear Temple. Preah Vihear sits atop a plateau overlooking the lower lands of Cambodia making for stunning views. The road getting to Preah Vihear varies depending on the season, but you drive through some wonderfully remote parts of rural Cambodia to get here, passing local villages and markets. Return to back to your hotel for afternoon at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Preah Vihear Boutique Hotel – 1Single Deluxe Room
28 Mar 16 Day 4: Koh Ker – Siem Reap
Visit Koh Ker in the morning when it is still cool. This was the old capital of King Jayavaraman IV when he moved the capital north from Angkor Wat to here. The temple itself has faced a lot of vandalism and many of the once beautiful sculptures are missing heads, but it still is a beautiful legacy to the Khmer Empire. If you have the energy, and aren’t afraid of heights you can climb to the top of the temple, the second tallest in Cambodia, so you can see above the forest line and enjoy amazing views of the rural countryside and the border of Thailand in the distance. Enjoy a basic noodle lunch at Koh Ker and if available meet an infamous soldier from the civil war. Known as a magic man, Ta Kok (Grandfather Kok) was a hero in his village…legend goes that bullets bounced off him and even a landmine exploding under him didn’t leave a scratch! He will be happy to answer questions through your guide and he can show you the tattoos that give him his magic power. He is now the head of police in Koh Ker and his wife runs the noodle stall.
After lunch start your return drive to Siem Reap, stopping for some famous bamboo sticky rice along the way.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at The Aviary Hotel – 1Single Tailorbird Standard
29 Mar 16 Phnom Penh: Departure
Your guide will meet you at your hotel for your private hour-long transfer to the airport in Danang and will ensure that you arrive in time for your onward flight – Cambodia Angkor Air K67114 departing Siem Reap at 16:25 & arriving Phnom Penh at 17:10.
Catch your connecting flight – Departing Phnom Penh at 19:15.
Meals included: Breakfast
PLEASE NOTE
This itinerary is currently in progress and does not reflect hotel room availability. The pricing is not final until the itinerary has been confirmed and booked.
Tour Rate: $ 1,815.00 per person based on 1 people traveling.
Price includes:
Air tickets Siem Reap – Phnom Penh
Boat tickets as specified above
Accommodation as specified above
Air-conditioned car/van with driver
Licensed English speaking guides
Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
Meals as specified in itinerary, including water
Price excludes:
Personal expenses
Visa fees
Airport tax
Drinks (except water) and meals not mentioned in itinerary
In observance of International Women’s day, we pay tribute to the amazing women on our team in Southeast Asia! The following empowering stories have been shared with us by some of our female staff in Cambodia.
Sokunna, (right) and her mother, (left)
Sokunna
When Sokunna’s mother was her age, she was already married and had three children. She began her own fish exporting business away from home. Her mother was gone often to oversee the business and help support their family. They missed each other very much and Sokunna’s mother came back home. Though she was happy to be back home with her family, Sokunna’s mother still had the ambition to help make money for them and she began a fish exporting business in the local market. She was the first woman business owner in Sokunna’s hometown. Business was successful and she helped other people in the community start businesses too.
At home, Sokunna says life for Cambodian women is filled with great responsibility. Women need to work hard to support their children and put them through school, and to “Teach them how to be respectful and kind to people.” Children in Cambodia today are more informed about technology and their mothers are devoted to working hard to provide their children things they never had themselves, like smartphones and iPads.
Life has changed so much for Cambodian women over the years. In Sokunna’s lifetime alone, she has seen changes in norms from dress to being allowed higher education, the option to have a boyfriend, or to move away from home. Now Cambodian women are free to dress as they choose, pursue an education, learn English and other languages, learn about modern technology, and to travel away from home and their parents as they choose.
Sokunna has no daughters of her own yet, but she says,
“If I have a daughter I expect her life in the future to be successful, bright, well educated, perfect, and cheerful in the rest of her life after she marries. International Women’s Day is the day that reinforces the persistence of women all over the world to have a freedom, democracy, and rights to think as a man: Men work hard and women also work hard; Men receive a higher education and so should women; Men receive a good salary and women should also have a good salary.”
If Sokunna could tell the world one thing on behalf of Cambodian women, she says,
“Women can became business women, CEOs, or presidents just like men. A woman can be a survivor without a man.”
Chieu, her mother, and her sister
Chieu
Chieu’s mother was also married by the time she was Chieu’s age. She was a housewife and homemaker for her husband and two children.
Chieu says that while Cambodian women have rights to do many more things in their daily lives much more than before, they are still expected to take care of all housework, cook, wash clothes, and take care of all family members.
Today, Cambodian women are able to study at school and have jobs, so some mothers spend time more time working and they put their children through private school, sometimes as early as age 3.
In the workplace, most of Cambodian women are able to work for the government and have the opportunity to work for private companies, because they are able to get the education and develop the knowledge that enables them to work the same jobs as men.
“In my lifetime, I think that all life has changed for Cambodian women, because they get education at school as well as from their peers. Before, older generations maintained the old thinking that women should not study or go outside home. They must do housework and be a wife,” says Chieu. “In modern society, many people give more value to women and most have the chance to accomplish their goals and dreams. Moreover, Cambodian women are now able to get scholarships to study abroad.”
If Chieu has daughters in the future she says,
“I hope that their lives will include better education, happiness, and respect from society as women, even in their own future married lives.”
Chieu says International Women’s Day reminds her of the effort of women to obtain rights in society, and as a result, women have equal rights with men and work in society to improve the economy. Women can express ideas and present questions to the public, and women can also work toward developing the country.
“One thing that I would like to tell the world as a Cambodian woman is that women have the same ability to succeed in any job to develop the country as men.”… Read more »
As we enter into the season of giving, our thoughts turn to ways we can help improve the lives of others. With the recent conclusion of our second annual Race 4 Change, our hearts are warmed by the impact we have made as a team through our efforts for JWOC.
Our team collectively ran and cycled over 900km to raise awareness for JWOC’s initiative to promote economic, educational, and improved health opportunities for Southeast Asian communities in need. The opportunity to impact the lives of the people who live in the places where we have the privilege to visit and work has been a gift to us. Read on to learn more about why our team participated in the Race 4 Change and what it means to them.
Andrea Ross, CEO
“I decided to participate in the Race 4 Change for a few reasons. Most importantly, I wanted to fundraise for JWOC to help us to continue into 2016 with all of our projects running strong and supported. I also wanted to train and run with the amazing team I have here in the US so we could not only come together as a team, but feel connected to our amazing team in Cambodia as well!”
“JWOC has come so far in the last 10 years and we have had an impact on so many lives. Just seeing our scholarship students and what they have accomplished inspires me to want even more for our community and our country.”
(From left to right) Courtney, Andrea, and April of the Journeys Within Truckee, Calif. office. Dazy, our Boston Terrier, was there too!
April Cole, VP of Sales
“I ran in the Race 4 Change for JWOC because I am inspired by the work JWOC does in the community, and even more so by the students who attend the JWOC education programs. These individuals know and appreciate the value of education. I have noticed that many of the younger scholars even head to JWOCs free classes after attending their government school! They are incredible children and adults who work very hard and are so grateful for the programs/opportunities that JWOC provides. I love JWOC’s new motto – Learn today, Lead tomorrow – this is what these scholars are doing. I will continue to ‘race’ however many miles it takes to keep supporting JWOC and the students!”
Courtney Ridgel, Booking Coordinator
“When I visited JWOC I was struck by how each person attending the free classes was determined to make a change in their own life for the better. Aside from fundraising to help further these opportunities for people in Cambodia, I wanted to make a positive change for the better in my own life. Running has never been my strong suit so I felt that running a half marathon would really help me to grow in an area that challenges me, in addition to improving my overall health. So, here’s to health and self-improvement!”
Vin Kebblewhite, Regional Director of Operations – Cambodia & Vietnam
“I chose to cycle in the race because it’s a fun way to support JWOC and a beautiful way to experience Angkor – an early morning bike ride with the sun rising over ancient temples! Not a bad Saturday morning! For me, JWOC is not just an awesome organization doing amazing work; it’s also one of the great benefits of working for Journey’s Within Tour Company. I moved to here to work towards positive change for Cambodia, so it’s great working for a tour company with an active focus on philanthropy.”
Narla, Vin, Naida, and Kanika of the Cambodia office.
“The reason I chose to ride in Race 4 Change is because it was a good way to show support for JWOC. I think that JWOC is doing amazing work and I’m proud to be working for a company that takes responsibility to support the countries it works in.”
Narla Phay, Concierge and Customer Service Director
“The reason I chose to ride in Race 4 Change is because JWOC gave so much the local Cambodia communities. I was a scholarship student who graduated from the JWOC Scholarship Program. I continued on to a very successful life after I graduated from college and was enabled to support my family. The program itself helps its students directly and as an indirect result, their families as well.”
“There are many wonderful programs that JWOC is doing to make the local community in Cambodia better, so I believe giving back is the key to setting a good example for younger generations. Without JWOC my life would not be as good now!”
Narla riding his bike through the finish line in Cambodia.
Makara Put, Country Director – Cambodia
“I like all kind of sports, especially running. I ran in the Race 4 Change for the second time because I am a former scholarship student of JWOC. Race 4 Change is a way that I can help JWOC in return by helping to raise funds. I wanted to show the people who donate and other scholarship students that as humans we need to understand the cycle of life – by this I mean that we should live for others as others should live for us. When we help each other, we smile together, and that is the real happiness!”
Makara of the Cambodia office.
Kanika Peou, Accounts Manager
“The reason I chose to ride for Race 4 Change is because it was a good way to show support for JWOC and to thank JWOC for their hard work in Siem Reap to help our community, local people, and children. I think that JWOC is doing amazing work to help and develop education for our younger generation and local villagers. I am so proud to be a part of the company and the amazing Journeys Within team.”
Kanika and Narla of the Cambodia office.
Donations for the Race 4 Change will be coming to a close soon. We invite your support of JWOC’s wonderful cause and sincerely thank you for contributing to an effort that can truly change the world.
