Archive for the Regional Rumblings Category

The Local’s View on their Tourist Town

Posted in California Casual by April, Laughing out Laos, Living and Laughing in the 'bodia, Regional Rumblings, Waew and Jeab Thai it up with tags , , , , , on April 24, 2009 by aprilcole

Every Friday evening I’m reminded that I live in a tourist town. The grocery store is flooded with people shopping for their weekend away, the parking lots and streets are busy and hectic and I tend to curse way more than usual. Then I stop, breathe and look around at my beautiful Lake Tahoe surroundings and remember the days when I used to come up here for the weekend because it is such an amazing place. I am grateful for the locals who welcomed me into their towns to visit and experience their hometown and hope to be a grateful local too.

Working in the tourism industry I realize that when I book a tour to Southeast Asia, I am sending our guests into someone else’s hometown. As locals in the incredible Southeast Asia area, I asked some of our staff to share something about their hometown that only a local would know.

 

Andrea Ross/ Director of Tours / Local in Siem Reap, Cambodia

 

1. If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?

I don’t think I have a lot of choice on this one… it has to be Angkor Wat!

 

2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?

I love the Old Market. I go and visit Pisey and watch people shop and bargain. I also happen to love my own swimming pool.

 

3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?

Our town has been pretty well documented. The National Museum is new and I don’t think people realize how good it is, it is worth a visit, especially since it has AC!! You can also take a horse ride with Happy Ranch through the countryside, including walking through a temple or two! My aunt and I took a New Years ride on December 31st and it was a blast, a really unique way to see the countryside.

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4. Is there anything you would like to add about the place where you live?

If you’re here, come and visit us J

 

Kwanchanok “Jeab” Meechai/ Bangkok Director / Local in Bangkok, Thailand

 

1. If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?

I would suggest them to go – Patravadi theatre has offers good food and tasty and nice location. Also if whoever interested for the performance they can also do after the meal.

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2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?

My favourite thing to do in town is taking my dog to get a walk at the weekend at the ministry of public health. There is a lot of dog lover coming to meet up and join the weekend. I have attached my dog’s photo(Shi tsu) So I just think that there are so many foundations here still need helps like the money to support for the dogs and cats who the owner left them behind when they don’t want them anymore or had no time to take care. I know they are unlucky dogs from irresponsibility human but you can visit the link at www.home4animals.org and www.scadbangkok.org perhaps you would like to visit and play with them.

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3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?

I would like them to know Ancient City: There is combined with interesting places of all 4 parts of Thailand there so this trip can take only one day to get to know about Thailand.

 

 

Nicole Long / Laos Director / Local in Luang Prabang, Laos

 

1.  If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?

That is such a hard one!  I would have to say either Kuang Si waterfall or Mt. Phousi at sunset.  They are both natural and beautiful wonders.  As many times as I have seen both I remain in awe.  One extra plus Kuang Si has over Mt. Phousi is that you can take a refreshing dip in the green blue water on a hot day. You really feel like your on a movie set in a tropical jungle and then you realize that you really are (but don’t worry you rarely see any wildlife swimming around with you)!

 

2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?

To be honest one of my favorite things to do in my town is hang out with local families and absorb their traditions and customs. They are always so welcoming and warm that I feel as if I am at home.  It is always a fun experience when they have reason to celebrate. The celebration is filled with tradition, smiles, food, and a lot of dancing (which I love).   A lot of times it can be a bit overwhelming because you’re the only farang (foreigner) and everyone is watching and taking care of you.  And you are always asked by the older Lao gentlemen of the village to dance.

 

3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?

I don’t know if there is an actual location I think tourists should go, unless they are feeling very adventurous.  Since Luang Prabang is such a small town most tourists just stay in the main part of town and rarely go beyond about a ten block radius.  I think if a tourist really wanted to try authentic food and see how the lao spend their days and evenings then I would suggest to go a little outside of town (honestly you don’t have to go far to get the “real” experience).

 

4. Is there anything you would like to add about the place where you live?

I would only add that I hope when people come to visit Luang Prabang they take a second to really take in the beauty of the surroundings and the people.  To keep in mind that as nice as the main part of town appears, Luang Prabang is still a third world country (one of the poorest in SE Asia).  So be kind and appreciate of all that you receive while visiting and your visit here will be that much more special.  And one helpful hint:  learn a little bit of Laos phrases for your trip. The locals LOVE it when a farang speaks a little Laos, it shows respect. 

 

 

Narla Phuon/ Cambodia Director / Local in Siem Reap, Cambodia

 

1. If someone visiting your city had one place to visit, where would you suggest they go?

I will suggest them to go to Angkor Wat temple becuse it’s a temple that most the people wish to see when they are coming Siem Reap town. Visiting Angkor Wat temple complex it’s not just only the temple that they can see and explore the Cambodia history, but can also see the cocal people selling the sovenir, farmer planting and cuttting rice, understand about our tradition and culture.

2. What is your favorite thing to do in your town?

My favorite thing to do in town is having dinner with friends after the work done.  It’s nice because we all working and no time to see each other, so it’s nice to meet and enjoy food together.

3. Is there a place in your town tourists do not know about, but you think they should?

Kulen Mountain is the places that not have very many tourist go there.  There is a water fall up on the mountain. It’s not a natural site but it’s also an old place that have old temple on top was build by King Jajavaman II in 9th century. Overthere is crowded when Cambodia having the big ceremony but quiet when the cecemony done especially at rainny reason. Tourist can go there to explore about our nature and history tourism.

4. Is there anything you would like to add about the place where you live?

No, this is all have but If I found something that I think it’s good to see  I will suggest people who coming to visit Siem Reap town.

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Thailand Update: April 20

Posted in Andrea's Adventures, Regional Rumblings, Thailand Trevails on April 20, 2009 by andreaross

I love Thailand, I loved it as a backpacker on Khao San Road, I loved it when I had my first baby there and lived in my first apartment, I loved it when I was schlepping that first baby around while pregnant with my second baby, I loved it last month when I got to hang out in the islands and go to Princesses on Ice with my friends. I loved it during the first coup, I took care of it, said nice things about it and tried to understand it during the second coup and airport closure, but this time, this time I draw the line. I am officially angry at Thailand.

Guests want to know about travel to Thailand and I am, for the first time ever, at a loss for words. Not because I think Thailand or Bangkok is dangerous, I don’t, but because I can’t predict what is going to happen next. During the riots last week when CNN made Bangkok look like the next Beirut I called Jeab, my Bangkok director, to find out about guests we had in the city and guests we had arriving in the city. As it was Songkran Festival, this is where Jeab was…
Bangkok, Thailand

it looks less like Beirut and more like an amusement park? Our guests were fine, itineraries were modified and things carried on as usual, but what about next week and the week after that?

I have read so many articles and opinions on the state of Bangkok and Thailand this week that I’m starting to go a little crazy and everyone in my dreams is wearing red or yellow shirts! The truth is I don’t know what will happen: there are rumors that there will be more riots on the 25th, there are rumors that the PM will squash any riots any way he can and martial law will stay in effect, there are rumors that it’s peaceful and will remain so until the next election, and, of course, there are rumors of everything in between.

So here it is, my advice to travelers, both my own guests scheduled to go to Bangkok and others: This has to be your decision, as much as I like to tell people what to do, I just don’t have the answers on this one. Here is what I do know so you can make an informed decision:

1. The riots do not target tourists, both sides have actively avoided harming tourists (other than with inconveniences.)

2. Our guides are fantastic and if there is a need to change the schedule or cut a tour short I trust them implicitly.

3. More riots and demonstrations are possible.

4. The news makes it look a lot worse than it is and the demonstrations are generally centered around government buildings.

5. If it was me, I would go.

I am sorry that I don’t have more solid advice, I am really sorry that I can’t guarantee that the problems are over. I will continue to monitor and will let you know if I come up with any solid suggestions and of course feel free to write your thoughts or questions.

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Bangkok Airport Situation – UPDATED

Posted in Regional Rumblings with tags , , on November 26, 2008 by aprilcole

12/2/08 – UPDATE

Bangkok airports have now been opened to limited outgoing flights, and are scheduled to be in full operation by December 15th at the latest. Airport staff has been allowed to go into the airport to start preparing for full operation, and it has been reported that the airport could start incoming international flights in as little as a week.

Brandon and Andrea plan on going to Thailand as soon as the airports are in full operation to gauge the political situation on the ground. Our feeling is that the situation will settle down and the Vice Prime Minister will take over for the Prime Minister. Although the political situation will likely take a while to get back on track we believe tours should be able to move forward as planned.

I understand that you may have more questions regarding your tour, and I welcome you to call and ask any questions you may have.

Kindly,

April

877-454-3672

april@journeys-within.com 

 

12/1/08 – UPDATE

Dear Guests and Partners-

As of today both Bangkok airports are still closed and we are unsure as to when either will open. As we have mentioned previously, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide you with updates. If you have any questions at all regarding your tour, or the airport, please do not hesitate to contact me either by phone 877/454-3672 or by email april@journeys-within.com .

Kindly,

April

US Tour Consultant

Dear Guests and Partners,

We are saddened by the recent closure of the Bangkok Airport. We know that this will be incredibly detrimental to the guides, drivers and hotel staff that are our friends and colleagues and a burden for our guests on tour, as well as a stress for those with upcoming tours. At present the Bangkok Airport is closed with no flights coming or going.

 

We are in touch with our current guests and working on the best solutions. For those guests that are trying to get home we have arranged hotel rooms and are watching the situation to see when we can rebook them on returning flights. For guests booked on internal flights we are trying to find other alternatives or extend their stays where they are. Some guests have chosen to travel overland rather than wait for the opening of the airport and we are facilitating that. For those guests currently in Bangkok tours can continue as usual with no disruption or problems, day-to-day life in the capital continues as usual.

For guests that have upcoming trips we ask that we give the Thai Government a chance to resolve the situation before we cancel tours or change itineraries. I was in Bangkok earlier this week and the general consensus was the opposition was losing power and that this would be a last-chance effort for them. Obviously they have decided to be as dramatic as possible with very little regard for the economic impact on their country and fellow Thais. We are hoping that in the next day a compromise will be made and the airport will be able to open. Our Bangkok office is in constant contact with the airlines and airport personnel. There is very little information coming from the Thai Government or from the airport so at this point we are trying to find temporary solutions and reassessing continually.

 

If you have any questions please email or call April of myself and we will be posting updates on the blog at www.journeyswithinblog.com.

Best,

Andrea

 

Andrea Ross

andrea@journeys-within.com

(855) 63 964 748

 

 

April O’Connell-Cole

April@journeys-within.com

877 454 3672

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Travel in Thailand Continuing as Usual – Updated.

Posted in Regional Rumblings on October 10, 2008 by aprilcole

Dear April,

I also got a call from my sister from Canada asking me questions about the current situation. I told her that the news was exaggerating reality! The demontrastions are isolated to the Parliament building, and it is very out of the way of the city. Our guides have said that our guests are 100% safe where we tour.

For tourists visiting Thailand there will be no affect. The country is still calm and stable and there are no problems for visitors to our country. In all tourist areas, life is going on as normal.

We will continue to update you on any developments.

Best,

Waew  

Bangkok Director

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Laos wedding vows

Posted in Laughing out Laos, Regional Rumblings on October 9, 2008 by kristinae

Recently the Nicole, the JWOC Laos Director, and I were invited to a wedding with our coworker and friend, Phaeng. He had a cousin who was getting married and wanted to show us our first traditional Lao celebration. On our way to the wedding that morning I asked Phaeng what time the ceremony started and he told me, “9:30 or 10 or 11,” so I wasn’t really sure if we were going to be early or late or on time.

After catching a boat across the Mekong to the opposite bank, we arrived at the bride’s village, Ban Dahn. Other than the women preparing food outside and patrolling roosters, the village seemed rather empty so I thought maybe we were early. We walked around for a few minutes before we figured out that the ceremony had already started in a small hut above us. We all took off our shoes and scampered up the stairs.

The room was crowded and there was no electricity or ventilation, so everyone was wet and fanning themselves in the ceremonial sauna. We sat down on our heels on a thin bamboo mat that covered the wooden floor. After a few minutes inside I was already drenched and I empathized with Phaeng’s cousin and his bride in their thick, long-sleeved wedding gear.

Phaeng explained that usually the bride and groom rent their wedding clothes and the bride rents special jewelry for the occasion. They looked like Lao royalty in their matching black and gold outfits and when I asked about the bride’s earrings I realized why she rented them (they were almost $2000!).

We couldn’t understand anything that was being said or done, so we just sat silently and took in the scenery. The couple sat on one side of a small whicker table that held a shrine with candles, flowers, colorful puffs that resembled Fruit Loops and some sticks with string that looked like little mops. An older man sat on the opposite side of the shrine table, preparing various items and conducting the ceremony.

The ceremony was very casual, there were men sitting in the next room talking and laughing and people were discussing things in different parts of the room while the ceremony man was doing his thing. But the bride and groom sat intently, focused on the shrine before them and the man above them.

At one point they struck a familiar pose and fed each other and drank with crossed arms. Then the man conducting the ceremony did something strange with an egg and passed them various items across the table. There was no real “repeat after me” process or vows said, but there were some chants and talking done by the master of the ceremony. The ceremony wizard then asked everyone to gather around the table and touch it, chanting something while everyone tried to squeeze in.

After the table grab, the bride and groom sat back to back and lines of men formed before the groom on one side and the women formed a line next to the bride on the opposite side. People came up one by one and tied thin white strings on the bride and groom’s wrists. As each person tied the string they paid their respects and wished the couple good luck and a happy future together. This string-tying ritual is called a baa si ceremony and the Lao people do it for many reasons: a wedding, a new baby, a new home or business, if someone is moving away or going on a long trip, even after you’ve been sick or had an accident.

After the ceremony, everyone poured out of the sweathouse onto the picnic tables set up outside. The table decorations were simple: pink napkins in a holder, bottled water, plastic cups and the staple to any Lao celebration—giant bottles of Beerlao.

Once everyone was settled, the newlyweds walked from table to table carrying a silver bowl and a bottle of “True Manhood Rich Scotch Whiskey” and the gift giving began. First they gave: a shot of Lao whiskey, then the guests gave: a small donation to the silver bowl as a wedding gift. No one brings toasters or blenders; they just toss some kip into the bowl or buy a case of Beerlao for the party.


Since Nicole and I were the only ones with cameras, we became the official wedding photographers and decided that beyond our bowl donation and Beerlao case, we would put together a proper Western wedding photo album as our real gift. As hired wedding photographers, we decided we should get a couple of farang poses for their farang photo album, like a shot of their crossed ringed and stringed hands.


It was a good day. We got to go undercover as Lao family members for the day (though we weren’t very inconspicuous as the only two farang) and the people we met were lovely. The whole celebration highlighted a marvelous aspect of Lao culture: people make do with what they have and have a good time while they’re at it.

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Travel in Thailand is Continuing as Usual – updated.

Posted in Regional Rumblings with tags on September 2, 2008 by aprilcole

I’m going through a bit of dejavu at the moment with the current issues in Thailand. Two years ago I was living in Bangkok when the Coup against Thaksin occurred (my son is named Couper in honor of this fun, but at the time, rather undramatic, event). The truth was that we found out about the Coup through CNN and we had to drive to visit the tanks and see the demonstrations because we didn’t believe it. While the unrest at the moment has caused some temporary airport closures and is obviously something we have to pay attention to, it is dramatized in the media and is not affecting the day to day lives of the Bangkok people or tourists visiting the city. We have put below an update from our Bangkok office as well as the official Thailand Tourism Authority update. At this point travel can continue as usual and we don’t expect any problems over this high season. We will keep updating this is there are changes.

Thanks,

Andrea

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Update as of 10 September, 2008:

Dear Andrea,

This is the current situation in Thailand with regards to the political situation.

On Tuesday afternoon (09th September) The Constitutional Court disqualified the Thai Prime Minister, Samak Sundaravej from holding the office of Prime Minister. Mr. Samak was forced to step down immediately and a caretaker Prime Minister is holding this position at this moment.

Mr. Samak was forced to step down because he breached the constitution by hosting a TV cooking show, for which he received a nominal salary. A Prime Minister can not be employed in an external role according to Thai law.

On Friday 12th September, the ruling PPP Party will meet to choose a new Prime Minister and have stated that they will re-elect Mr. Samak again to lead the country.

What this means is that Mr. Samak will again be Prime Minister and the same political deadlock will probably continue.

For tourists visiting Thailand there will be no affect. The country is calm and stable and there are no problems for visitors to our country. In all tourist areas, life is going on as normal.

We will continue to update you on any developments.

Best,

Waew

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This is the current situation in Thailand with regards to the political situation and demonstrations.

 

Demonstrations:

The government has declared a State of Emergency restricting numbers of people who can meet together in a group, after one person died in a clash between anti-government (PAD) supporters and pro-government supporters. The Prime Minister has said that this will last for only a few days. The pro-government supporters have disbanded and are going home and the situation is calm at the moment. Dialogue is continuing and it is hoped there will be a resolution this week.

 

Airports:

All Thai airports are open and are operating as per normal at the moment. The Union for Thai Airways have said that they may delay arrival/departures of international flights but no action has been taken as yet.

 

Railways:

The trains are running as per normal at the moment after being closed at the weekend.

 

Strikes:

Many Unions are planning to strike and are threatening to cut off electricity, water and telephones to Government House and major Police stations. This will not affect other Bangkok citizens or tourists.

Bangkok Transit Authority have suspended 80% of local buses in Bangkok and the rest will offer free services to the public. 

 

The Bangkok City ;

There are no tourists affected by the demonstrations which are confined to the area near Government House, from experienced several similar political situations, usually, things will be resolved quickly, and life goes on as usual.

 

Please be assured that all of our guests will be well taken care of by Journeys Within Bangkok and we will continue to update you on any developments.

 

Best,

 

Waew

 

Director, Bangkok

Journeys Within

 

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Official Tourism Authority of Thailand statement, per phone conversation with their office.

 

“Although there is current political unrest in Thailand, everything is opperating as normal for Bangkok citizens and tourists alike. The protests are centralized in political buldings. The only current situation we are advising tourists to stay away from is the Marble Temple in Bangkok, as it is located next door to a political building. We are recommending that it is currently ok to travel in Thailand.”

 

Journeys Within would like to note that we do not have any tours running to the Marble Temple in Bangkok.

 

****

You can view current official notices by the US government on the situation in Thailand here:

 

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/embassy/wwc/recent.htm

 

 

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Sela’s Cambodian view of beautiful Laos

Posted in Regional Rumblings with tags , , , , , on August 5, 2008 by aprilcole

When I first stepped into Laung Prabang I felt like I was in the heaven. The country is so full of mountains and farmland, it is so beautiful! When I arrived at the guesthous, I did not want to relax so I immediately went out and walked around the city. I was surprise how the level of the country was mountainous, and not flat. I

 

The weather was very nice, but it was cold and foggy at night. In the morning you could see the fog around the edge of the hill. I love the way the city has built itself around the Mekong River.

 

There are a lot of restaurants along the Mekong River and around Mount Phousi where I had the chance to try the Laos food – and especially the sticky rice. At first they gave me a small bowl of sticky rice and I thought that it was not enough for my big belly. I soon found out that they packed a whole lot of sticky rice into that small bucket! I like sticky rice. The Laos people say I will be fat if I eat a lot of sticky rice.

 

The town becomes very busy between 7 and 9pm because a lot of tourists are walking around the night market buying souvenirs. I like the Night Market. In the day time people use it as the main road but at night they turn it to the night market where a lot local people sell their products.

           

Laos people are very nice and very honest. They smile at you all the time when you see them. One time when I went to the local market and went to buy something and negotiate with them they thought I was Laoatian, but I am not.

 

On July 3, I walked around the town alone and saw a lot of beautiful things. In the afternoon, I went on the city tour to the National Museum which used to be the Royal palace. All the decoration is beautiful and you can see the Royal family’s house! The last king of Laos was King Sisavangvong. The guide told me many stories about how famous he was. He had nine wives!. After visiting the Museum I went up to Mount Phousi. From up there you could see all of Luang Prabang, all the buildings and the coconuts trees lining the long roads and of course the Mekong River. The last place that I saw was Wat Xieng Thong. There you can see the powerful architecture of Laos style.

 

The next day I went hiking to Kuang Si Waterfall. On the way there we went through many villages and I went to visit people in the villages. The people were all so nice to me. They talked to me and told me how they make their living. After I went through all the villages, it took me about four hours and half to walk through the jungle up and down the mountains. Once I got to the waterfall, it was cold. At the waterfall you can swim in the clear natural water, but I couldn’t because it was freezing to me. I also saw some bears at the waterfall. In the evening I had dinner at the Tum Tum Cheng Restaurant. The place was simple but the food was great and the staff was very helpful.

 

After breakfast the next morning I set off the to the Pottery Village and took a local longtail boat on the Mekong River. After a big lunch I visited the Pak Ou Cave or the Naga cave. I like the nature of Luang Prabang. Along the Mekong river I saw a lot of beautiful farmland and trees.

 

 

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Songkran Festival Day – April 14 & 15 2008

Posted in Regional Rumblings with tags on April 11, 2008 by aprilcole

Songkran is a Thai traditional New Year which starts on April 13 every year and lasts for 3 days. Songkran festival on April 13 is Maha Songkran Day, or the day to mark the end of the old year, April 14 is Wan Nao, which is the day after and April 15 is Wan Thaloeng Sok, which the New Year begins. At this time, people from the rural areas who are working in the city usually return home to celebrate the festival. Thus, when the time comes, Bangkok temporarily turns into a deserted city.

posted by Waew (April 10, 2008)

 

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