In our 9th year big things happened at Journeys Within – National Geographic Magazine named our Mekong Experience tour a “Tour of a Lifetime”, JWOC partnered with the Cambodian Ministry of Education to provide 32 schools with clean water, Andrea was named as an A-List Travel Agent by Travel + Leisure, and so much more – read on to find out more milestones of 2012.
2012
Milestones:
Journeys Within and The Marine Megafauna Foundation run the first Myanmar Culture and Conservation Tour
Mekong Experience tour was named a “Tour of a Lifetime” by National Geographic
Andrea named A List travel agent by Travel + Leisure Magazine
JWOC partners with Cambodian Ministry of Education to provide 32 schools with clean water.
Andrea, Callie and Couper moved to the US full time
What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:
It was a pretty big move for me as I took over operations on the ground, almost immediately, so I’ll be honest it was all pretty daunting at first! But after no time at all I realized I had nothing to worry about. The reason Journeys Within is in my view one of the top tour companies in Southeast Asia is because it has one of the most talented and hardworking teams in the industry. Every single member of the company brings something new and exciting, with a unique passion and skill that develops every year. That first year I was introduced to some incredible people, from the guides that look after our guests on the ground, to our amazing Country Directors who help us develop these unique tours that set us apart us from other companies. Working with these people has taught me more than I ever could have hoped for or imagined.
Michelle Crawford:
What year did join Team Journeys Within?:
2012
What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:
A company that cares about their customers
Special Memories from 2012:
Andrea and Nicole attend a Baci ceremony in LaosAndrea and the girls at the waterfall at Kulen Mountain, Siem Reap, CambodiaAnna goes horseback riding at Happy Ranch in Siem Reap, Cambodia.April and her kids at Song Saa private island in CambodiaApril, Gavin and Scarlett at the waterfalls in KulenCouper, Brandon, Jeab, Santhou, Bee and Ron on their way to a team building activity in Siem Reap, CambodiaTeam JW rides off into the sunset. Siem Reap, CambodiaThe sun sets into the flooded rice patties in Siem Reap, CambodiaAndrea Ross and Andrea Marshall lead the Myanmar Culture and Conservation tourAndrea had the rare opportunity to see “The Lady” Aung San Suu Kyi speak in MyanmarAndrea makes Truckee, CA her new homeAndrea at the Directors meetingCouper and Gavin playing games while picnicing at Kulen MountainGavin explores the temples in the Rolous GroupNarla, Andrea and Anna take a helicopter ride above Angkor WatKanika at the Directors MeetingOne of my all time favorite pictures. Scarlett, Callie, Sabai and Kiao at Kulen MoutnainSreyleak, Win Win and Kanika enjoy a picnic at Kulen MountainLinda and Leak are ready to go horseback riding!Linda’s got her eye on you. Watch out!Catching the sunset in Luang PrabangAnna always takes the most beautiful portraits on her travels. She shared this one she took of a monk at Angkor Wat.The Myanmar Culture and Conservation Tour groupNarla at the Directors MeetingNicole and Andrea aren’t afraid to get muddy when they are out on tour in Laos!Nicole on a boat.Phaeng on a boat.Santhou on a boat. (Have you noticed we have a theme going on here? Lots of boats in Southeast Asia!)Scarlett loves the new Journeys Within Boutique Hotel Kidz CLubSina and Scarlett explore the temples.The sunset at Song Saa Private Island, CambodiaTeam JW gathers for a group photo at a secluded temple after their horseback rideJourneys Within will make you, Jump! Jump!JW Jr. hard at work in the Truckee, CA officeAndrea enjoys the winter at her new California home.Anna and Andrea at The Siam hotel in Bangkok, ThailandWat Arun, Bangkok, ThailandSomebody’s got to try the breakfast to make sure it’s good enough for our guests. These waffles at The Siam hotel breakfast got the thumbs up from us!Kids and water buffalo, as seen from a bike ride through Siem Reap, CambodiaNicole on a boat. Again.Team JW get some rest after a beautiful bike ride to the temples in Siem Reap.The view of Angkor Wat from the helicopter
In our 8th year, Journeys Within B & B became Journeys Within Boutique Hotel. Even with the hotel construction keeping things busy, the team still managed to make a lot of memories traveling around the region, making 2011 a very photogenic year!
2011
Milestones:
Journeys Within receives Global Vision Award from Travel + Leisure Magazine
Launched Journeys Within Family Adventure Tours
Journeys Within B & B becomes Journeys Within Boutique Hotel, opening 5 new guest rooms, a spa and a restaurant
What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:
For me, I have worked officially with Journeys Within since 2011 but I met Andrea in April 2010. We did great trip to Quang Ngai Long Wall, at that time it seemed that we are the first foreign group find the way to go there. And that was on my birthday, 3rd April and Andrea had a very kind decision: I can go home earlier and she will go to airport by herself. I can enjoy my birthday with my family. That was the first time I worked with her. She made me think about a real boss. So I met her and worked with Journeys Within’s clients until January of 2011. Of course, I agreed without being worry when she asked me to work as full time guide for Journeys Within.
Kanika Peou:
What year did join Team Journeys Within?:
2011
What were your thoughts of the company that first year?:
In first year, I thought that Journeys Within is quite busy because at that time Tour Company at Journeys Within Hotel were stayed together and it is under construction.
Special Memories from 2011:
Callie relaxes in a hammock in KepA typical commute in CambodiaCouper, Srey Nut and Chen on a boat to Rabbit Island in Kep, CambodiaThe ever so stylish construction crew hard at work on the new bungalows at Journeys Within Boutique Hotel.Kids at play at Phik Noy in Luang Prabang, Laos.Nicole captures the beauty of this sleepy village in LaosAndrea, Srey Nut, Chen, Couper and Callie hang out with a bear on a tour of the Phnom Tamao Zoo in Phnom Penh, CambodiaA picture perfect sunset in Kep, CambodiaBrandon rides through the floods in Siem Reap, CambodiaFlooding at Journeys Within Boutique Hotel.The Journeys Within Boutique Hotel staff are all smiles while they work!After living in Cambodia for years, Andrea still loves to explore hidden templesCouper gets a visit from a friend from the US! Griffin and Couper discussing very important fishing skills before heading out for a swim.A lone house among the flooded rice patties in Siem Reap, CambodiaApril with a calf in Chiang Mai, Thailand.The Bangkok team and April enjoy dinner togetherAndrea and Callie on their way to Jeab’s house in BangkokAndrea Ross and her best friend Andrea Marshall tour Thailand togetherAndrea and Callie at the beachI’m pretty sure it doesn’t get much cuter than this picture of Callie in her pink tutu swim suit in the crystal clear watersCallie tries out the famous street food in BangkokThe Andreas on tour with Callie and friendsCallie always finds the camera – say cheese!Couper, Chen, Srey Nut and Callie on tour in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.Best friends at Rabbit Island – Kep, Cambodia.The Journeys Within Boutique Hotel staff and their familiesSunday Art Class at Journeys Within Our CommunityFamily of four on a single moto in Siem Reap, CambodiaA family on tour visits the village where they donated a water well through JWOC.Srey Nut, Callie and Chen on a tuk tuk on their way to a play date in Siem ReapCouper on an island in Halong BayCallie and Couper visit with their Nana in Halong BayBinh at the Long Wall of Quang NgaiAndrea and Binh sit down with a villager at the Long WallBrandon, Callie, Couper, Jo and Toby on a family vacation in VietnamAndrea remembers her river guiding skills and steers the boat in the MekongRosie, Khoa and Michelle’s daughter, on the Mekong in VietnamCouper serenades Rosie and Callie while on a boat in the Mekong.Callie and Andrea in Dalat, VietnamCallie and Couper giving alms at a temple in VietnamAndrea, Callie and Jo take a picture with their favortie tailors in Hoi An, Vietnam.Callie poses in her Ao Dai in Hoi An, Vietnam.Callie, Rosie and Couper in the bus on tour in VietnamBrandon with his parents on flight to their next Vietnam destinationAndrea, Brandon, Callie and Couper visit a homestay in Cambodia with NarlaBrandon, Narla and the kids enjoy a picnic at a temple in CambodiaBrandon, Callie, Couper and Andrea at a temple in Cambodia.Brandon gives Couper a lift
