In 2008 Journeys Within opened an office in Laos and was honored with a World Saver’s Award from Conde Nast Traveler.
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!
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 Prabang
Phaeng, Seila and Kristina on a tour of the Mekong River in Luang Prabang
Seila and Phaeng at the Pak Ou Caves in Luang Prabang
Preschool kids at Phik Noy School (which is sponsored by JWOC) excitedly wait new school uniforms
Students at Phik Noy School in Luang Prabang. Look at those smiles!!
Neon green rice paddies in Laos
A Buddha’s silhouette at Pak Ou Caves, Laos
Khoa guiding a tour on the Mekong Delta
Phaeng, hard at work in the JW Laos office
Sunset on the Mekong in Laos
Tui, April and Gavin giving alms to a monk in Chiang Mai
April’s son Gavin (2 years old) at a temple in Siem Reap
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