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.
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!
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!
Our feisty cook with the best caramel corn in the world!
Brandon Ross:
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:
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:
The Boutique Hotel in its first weeks after landscaping and now, long after those plants have taken hold.
The view from the front balcony across the dirt road…very different from our view today!
Our road. In the rainy season it could become impassable. Now you have to watch out for obstacles other than potholes.
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.
