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Year 5: 2008

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In 2008 Journeys Within opened an office in Laos and was honored with a World Saver’s Award from Conde Nast Traveler.

village laos

2008

Milestones:

Started Journeys Within Laos Office

Journeys Within receives the World Savers Award from Conde Nast Traveler Magazine

US Office moved from Sacramento to Truckee, CA

Touring to these countries:

Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Burma

Press:

ABC News Money Matters: Socially Conscious Travel: Interview with Andrea Ross, CEO, Journeys Within Tour Company

Conde Nast Traveler: 2008 World Savers Awards

Conde Nast Traveler: 128 World’s Top Travel Specialists

Daily Traveler: Help Cyclone Victims in Myanmar

Conde Nast Traveler: Guilt Free Tripping

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!

phang2
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:

1.Phaeng Finding new B&B hotel Sep2006
Phaeng and John head by motobike to look for office space in Luang Prabang
2.Phaeng TOur Inspection Jul2008
Phaeng, Seila and Kristina on a tour of the Mekong River in Luang Prabang
3.Boat Trip Pak Ou caves Jul2008
Seila and Phaeng at the Pak Ou Caves in Luang Prabang
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Preschool kids at Phik Noy School (which is sponsored by JWOC) excitedly wait new school uniforms
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Students at Phik Noy School in Luang Prabang. Look at those smiles!!
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Neon green rice paddies in Laos
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A Buddha’s silhouette at Pak Ou Caves, Laos
Mekong trip in Can Tho with JW guests
Khoa guiding a tour on the Mekong Delta
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Phaeng, hard at work in the JW Laos office
Sunset over the Mekong in Luang Prabang, Laos
Sunset on the Mekong in Laos
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Tui, April and Gavin giving alms to a monk in Chiang Mai
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April’s son Gavin (2 years old) at a temple in Siem Reap
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April and her husband Chris visit Angkor Wat for the first time
Narla, Jill, Seila, Sours, Makara meet at the lobby of Journeys Within B & B
Narla, Jill, Seila, Sours, Makara meet at the lobby of Journeys Within B & B

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Year 4: 2007

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growing team

2007

Milestones:

Andrea named a Conde Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist for the first time.

Opened US office

Touring to these countries:

Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Burma

Press:

Condé Nast Traveler: 130 World’s Top Travel Specialists

Conde Nast Traveler: The Dream List – Experiences That Only Insiders Can Deliver

Key Hires:

April Cole:

aprilcole

What year did join Team Journeys Within?: 

2007

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:

Original Koh Ker
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.
floating forrest
Journeys Within also launches our first kayak trips through the flooded forest and out on the Tonle Sap Lake!
kids kids
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.
year 4
Andrea attends one of the first ever guide training dinners in Bangkok.
callie and boys at ocean
Callie sees the ocean in Phuket.

 

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Year 3: 2006

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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.

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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
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:

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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:

Dec 2006 (Christmas Day) Makara, Brandon, Seila and Narla
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:

Sihanoukville
Staff trip to Sihanoukville where everyone got a chance to enjoy the beach.
couper born
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 getting older 2006
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-os-wedding1
Kai-o’s wedding — a happy occasion.
bangkok2
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.

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Year 2: 2005

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 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…hotel before and after

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

Family Travel Forum: Cambodia’s Siem Reap Alive with Travelers

International Travel News: Report Cards

Key Hires:

Dar Le Khin:

photo1
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:

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So excited to have a pool and “real” rooms at the Journeys Within Boutique Hotel!
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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.
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The team getting a kick out of the new pool.

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Year 1: 2004

Posted by April on (Updated: )  |  2 Comments

10 years have passed since Journeys Within was founded in Cambodia by Andrea and Brandon. Much has changed since the original team opened the doors to the Journey Within Boutique Hotel and the first guests enjoyed the inaugural celebrations. While Siem Reap has grown and Cambodia is receiving more guests than ever, Journeys Within’s dedication to providing guests with unique experiences and our sustainable travel philosophy has never wavered.

original JW

2004

Milestones:

Journeys Within Bed and Breakfast opened!

Journeys Within Tour Company opened!

Touring to these countries:

Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam

Press:

Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel: 40 Best Cambodia B&Bs

Sacromento Bee: Living the dream – A new life and a new business amid ancient sites

The Park Record : Parkite Ross opens shop in Cambodia

San Francisco Chronicle: Cambodia is catching on

Key Hires:

Kai-O: Our first hotel staff, Kai-o has worked for us since before our Grand Opening!

Kaio then and now
One thing that hasn’t changed in the last 10 years in Kai-o’s glowing personality.

Toung: Hiring a cook was a lifelong dream realized and Toung still makes magic happen in the Journeys Within Boutique Hotel kitchen!

Toung
Our feisty cook with the best caramel corn in the world!

Brandon Ross:

brandon then and now
Brandon with Andrea and her rooster in 2004 and Brandon with long-time staff in 2015.

What year did join Team Journeys Within?:

10 years ago  : )

What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:

I was really excited and nervous because everything was new. Had to learn how to work in new cultures while working with a brand new company. Everywhere were possibilities and obstacles. I had no idea what the company would be like in 10 years or even 5, I was still trying to figure out what it was going to look like the day we were ready to open.

Ron Loonar & Chutimon “Bee” Sitthiwong:

ron and bee
Our first Bankoktour guides Ron and Bee!

What year did join Team Journeys Within?:

We both have joined Journeys Within on 2004 as the tour guides. Then 2013 as the Journeys Within office team.

What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:

Journeys Within was small at the first start year but very unique tour company.

Special Memories from 2004: 

front of JW
The Boutique Hotel in its first weeks after landscaping and now, long after those plants have taken hold.
front driveway
The view from the front balcony across the dirt road…very different from our view today!
road
Our road. In the rainy season it could become impassable. Now you have to watch out for obstacles other than potholes.
rooms
Our rooms then and now. All the lights used to dim when you took a shower because the electricity situation in Siem Reap wasn’t great back then. We had the most adventurous guests that first year! Since then the electricity situation has been sorted out … for the most part.

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