Visaka Bochea Day — May 42, Khmer Public Holiday

  If you are traveling around Thailand or Cambodia, it might by a good day to stop in at a nearby Pagoda. Screen Shot 2013-05-24 at 2.48.44 PM Cambodia is celebrating a public holiday — May has 6 total — today; Visaka Bochea the marking the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, Sedatha Gautama. Buddhists mark the occasion by making food offering at temples and lighting candles. Fruit, lotus flowers and jasmine are also offered to garner favour both for the […] View full post »

Journeys Within Boutique Hotel staff recognized by Trip Advisor for their service

Congratulations to the staff at Journeys Within Boutique Hotel who have been recognized by TripAdvisor for their exceptional service. hotel-staff_001 With a ranking in the top 25 hotels in Cambodia for service, TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice 2013 Awards has recognized the hard work that the Journeys Within Boutique Hotel team puts in day in and day out. Ranked #7 in Cambodia and #2 in Siem Reap, the entire JW team is delighted that the staff at the […] View full post »

Thai airline looks to capitalize on rapidly increasing number of visitors to Myanmar

Visitors to Myanmar are up 40 per cent for the first four months of 2013, over the same period last year — Thai budget airline, Nok Air has taken notice. P1060877 Looking to capitalize on the increasing number of tourists heading to Myanmar,  Nok Air is looking to add a number of flights to the mysterious destination to their schedule, with some expected to begin as early as September. Staging the flights from northern cities of […] View full post »

Garment factories in Cambodia – a complicated equasion

Could Cambodia’s open door policy to multinational garment factories be creating an climate for impending disaster… cambodia-factory-collapse-jpeg-0ae10_24637101-ap-670-x350 The partial collapse of a shoe factory in Cambodia’s southern Kampong Speu province has added to the growing death toll in Asian garment factories. At least two people were killed with dozens more injured when a portion of the ceiling collapsed at a footwear factory in Tream Tbal, located about an hour’s drive southwest of Phnom Penh. It is […] View full post »

Wishing all a safe and happy King’s Birthday

Journeys Within hopes that everyone enjoyed themselves and their families during the Royal Birthday of King Norodom Sihamoni. norodomsihamoni Born May 14, 1953, the King celebrated his 60th birthday over the holiday weekend. In honour of Sihamoni’s landmark birthday the central bank will be releasing a 100,000 Riel note ($25) — the largest bank note available in Cambodia. According to its model, the bill displays the portraits of late King Father Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Mother […] View full post »

Have kids, will travel … to Asia

Parents looking to plan a family holiday no longer have to resign themselves to the screaming crowds of Disneyland. With an abundance natural wonders, cultural experiences and kid-friendly activities, Southeast Asia is attracting more families than ever. 11161_180519022390_7838915_n Flip Key travel blog recently listed Phuket, Thailand and Nha Trang, Vietnam among their top five family destinations in Asia. While we couldn’t agree more these vacation spots will be a hit with parents and children alike, they […] View full post »

Siem Reap’s Made in Cambodia Market

 _MG_7532 In today’s world, the benefits that come from shopping locally can extend beyond your neighborhood farmer’s market. For travelers in Southeast Asia, taking care to spend tourism dollars responsibly is one of the most direct ways to make a positive impact in communities visited. Buying local does more than support the vendor who sells you the goods — it supports the entire supply chain, protects local production and provides jobs. Studies also show that […] View full post »

Southeast Asia – A year round destination

Do tales of the smiling locals, exotic surroundings and delectable roadside dishes have you looking to visit Southeast Asia for your next holiday? With seasonal travel opportunities, why not let Journeys Within experts help you decide where to go and when. laos new year Heat, rain and holiday crowds can, and should, influence holiday travel plans. Have time off in April, but can’t face the scorching heat? Why no skip Cambodia, Laos and Southern Thailand in favour of […] View full post »

Plain of Jars

 With experienced and knowledgeable guides, Journeys Within can help you explore one of the world’s largest archeological mysteries… 450px-Plainofjars_1 More than 80 years ago, french archaeologist Madeleine Colani headed to the Xieng Khouang plateau in search of answers one of Laos’ great wonders.  Braving the Southeast Asian rains and a considerable risk of dengue fever — many of her camp fell ill — Colani had her sights set on revealing the secrets long-held within the Plain […] View full post »

With a little help from your friends

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Unlike many teenagers, Mony already knows what she wants to do with her life; she has her sights set on helping her community as a dentist. This week the 18 year old is getting a taste of what working in the field of dentistry would be like, acting as a interpreter for the Semiahmoo Outreach Dental Team — a group of visiting foreign dentists who have set up shop in her village. “I want to […] View full post »