,

Empowering women in a Delhi slum

This is the story of Terryl, one of our travellers who went from just going on tour with us to India to actively teaching the women in the Delhi slums how to sew sanitary pads they could wash and re-use,  empowering them in so many ways.

Terryl demonstrating sewing sanitary pads in slum in Delhi

Terryl demonstrating sewing sanitary pads in the slum in Delhi

Using our travellers’ skills

Before our travellers come on tour, we like to find out if they have any special skills. Often, our travellers want to bring something to help the communities we work with – but equally often they actually have a special skill they can bring instead, which really helps us continue to empower the people we work with.

In Terryl’s case, she’d learnt about sewing washable, reusable sanitary pads, and she asked if she could bring some along to give to the women she’d meet in the slum in Delhi. Simla took her idea one further and said: this is a brilliant idea for them, but could you teach the women how to sew them instead?

Terryl was (understandably) a bit nervous about teaching a group of women, who didn’t speak English, but – she agreed!

Women in the Delhi slum practising sewing reusable sanitary pads

Women in the Delhi slum practising sewing reusable sanitary pads

Terryl teaching the women in Delhi to sew sanitary pads

As soon as Terryl had agreed to teach this, we got started! Ahead of the trip, we asked Terryl for the pattern, and worked together with one of the women in the slum who runs some classes there, to figure out the quantity of material needed. Our tour funds supported the purchases of the material and once we were there, Terryl took the lead and instructed the women on how to sew the pads, with the help of translations from our tour leader and the women who runs classes in the slum.

In Terryl’s words:

My hope was to make life a little easier for someone and to maybe give them a skill they too could share. I never thought I would have the chance to teach a bunch of women, let alone in the slums of Delhi.

I came away from the project feeling I had achieved a small goal. Only days ago I received a message from the ladies in India thanking me and telling me they had been practicing the sewing. I hope some of the younger travellers understood what the idea was about and how lives of women are so different from our western world’s, in the most basic ways. I hope the ladies on the project use and expand the idea.

Empowerment tourism

Now that the women know how to make these washable sanitary pads, they are going to make them for their daughters too, and pass on the knowledge in the village. That ripple effect is just amazing.

Our travellers are not the normal travellers. They are inspiring leaders and change makers, and we always aim to bring these skills out of them.

We take the locals on this journey by allowing them to use the skills they have and the ones we can teach so they can better themselves to grow, learn, and earn an income. In return, the locals will teach us (as travellers) the real beauty of travel; they teach us the simplicity of life and will remind us how grateful we should be in life.

This level of engagement promotes self-awareness and has a much wider impact upon everyone involved.

It’s an example of what is possible when a tribe stands together while having fun touring a country and making an impact on the world. We bounce ideas off each other, and we elevate each other. We can become more than our component parts. This is our way of unlocking skills for our communities and inner passion of our travellers – this is Empowerment Tourism.

/by
, , ,

A letter to our Cambodia and Vietnam travellers

Heading out on the road can be a downright daunting experience, full of the unexpected and when you are surrounded with people who share the same vision as you, the journey is amazing. We each see & feel such spectacular things and we’re all in a constant state of learning.

The friends you have met on this trip and the boundless opportunities that you have given to the tour-leaders to showcase their countries, the ladies you supported in opening their cooking classes; the new games you taught the children that brought them so much joy, which was displayed through their clapping & their smiles; the love towards Yeay who appreciated being given the chance to share her story for the first time; the love you showered the home-host you stayed with and the appreciation you showed by enjoying the yummy dishes they made for you; the selfless funds you contributed to building the toilet and the fun you had painting it; the water filters you delivered to those who do not have access to clean water; the commencement of the crafting classes that was kick started for the women in order for them to be able to afford to bring food to the table; the pure joy shared with them; the smiles and laughter shared with the children; the kites you flew with them; the skipping of the ropes (even though most of us failed miserably) – these are the special memories you are taking with you and the footprint you are leaving behind.

Collectively we have contributed USD$2414 on the various projects we have had, and we have directly touched the lives of 144 people. I also believe that each one of us is going back home a different person, so let’s add another 14 people to this list, that makes it a total of 158 people.

I hope this journey has spoken to you & touched your heart like never before.

The bond of friendship you have made on this trip is truly special and one that will unite us always. We have burst into one another’s lives with spectacular ideas and all of the excitement in the world.

Thank you for joining me on this journey and for making this little baby of mine even more unforgettable. We are all individually talented and collectively powerful.

As you bid farewell to this trip and ride through the streets of lanterns this evening, think of the beautiful smiles you have encountered throughout the journey and know that you are leaving Cambodia and Vietnam better to when you first got here.

You did this!

Simla,

Founder, Hands on Journeys 

/by
, ,

The Khmer Rouge from the eyes of our tour guide

A guest post by one of our travellers, Colin Stanley.

Wrought with disruption, violence, and unrest, the years leading to Chamreun’s birth were turbulent, to say the least.

External pressures from changing regimes and bombardment from imperialist powers threw the Kingdom of Cambodia into an unexpected tailspin that witnessed some of the most horrific acts of history. Dissidents of the once mighty Angkor Empire, were to feel the anguish of death knocking upon every home. Following release from French colonial rule, a deep dissatisfaction for the monarchy grew from the poverty stricken streets of Phnom Penh. Major conflicts in neighboring Vietnam raged-on year after year, a bloody affair that left few unscathed. An avenue for the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the Cambodia was under heavy attack by U.S. bombers targeting Viet Kong troops and supplies traveling south for the fight. A reign of fire fell from the sky above rural agrarian populations. War was brought to the doorstep of the small underdeveloped country by 1970, a price the people are still paying for today.  

“Faster, faster!”, pokes from a muzzle of an AK-47 wielded by young hands moved a procession of refugees deeper into the veil of the jungle. A once prominent family from the capital quivered in fear of their country brethren who had been indoctrinated with the prophecies of a fool.

Year Zero had begun and the plan to bring Cambodia back to simpler time was in full effect. Work camps were constructed and citizens were displaced from urban areas. Life was eerily left behind as Chamreun’s grandmother, grandfather, mother, father, aunts, and uncles were forced from their homes. A treacherous journey through the veil of the Khmer jungle saw the death of many. As unlikely as it was, a family was able to keep intact despite their surroundings. In this setting, Chamreun’s mother held bowls of watery rice porridge to the mouths of her younger siblings, bringing them enough strength and hope to fight another day.

 Cham Tour Guide

The Khmer Rouge put much of their efforts in recruiting and turning a population against itself. Those who spoke out against the Khmer Rouge or were suspected of thinking outside of what was allowed were brutally murdered by their own people. Tragically, teachers, lawyers, and doctors were prime targets during the genocide, sending the country into an intellectual dark age of sorts. In less than four years over 2 to 3 million Khmers died from malnutrition, exhaustion, murder, and disease; many of whom were once citizens of Phnom Penh. Visiting these sites in and around the capital is a somber reminder of this relatively recent tragedy.

Screams from underneath a palm rang through the refugee camp. Captors unbothered by the anguish, suck at cigarettes and continue to play cards. The terrifying howls were unlike the common calls of torture and death that they had become all too familiar with. Instead of loss, it was the cry of rejuvenation… a baby being born in circumstances that were nothing but joyous. Chamreun’s mother ran from point to point gathering help, water, and supplies to deliver her younger sister. A new life was brought into a seemingly crumbling society. This is not a story of death, it is about hope and overcoming obstacles beyond belief.

/by

Children are our Future | Our Travellers Stories

Today Maria shares an important value that sits at the core of Hands on Journeys mission. The future of the world is shaped by the children of the future…

Children are smart. They’re intuitive, honest and curious. Children are playful, they know how to live in the moment. Children are sensitive and impressionable.

These were just some of the thoughts crossing my mind, as I played with these Cambodian Angels in the village of 300 people just outside Phnom Peng as part of the HOJ experience.

Maria Hands On Journeys

And I might have no credentials in a sense that I don’t have kids of my own (yet) to say what I’m about to say, but what if we all focused on becoming models worth modeling for every little boy or girl we come across in life?

You see, when we first arrived at the village pretty much every child we walked by, was shy and hesitant.

“Who are these bright eyed smiling foreigners strolling through our village?” they must have wondered…

Maria Cambodia

But it didn’t take much convincing for these kids to join our impromptu party in the middle of the village. Music, games, soccer, prizes, alongside extended hands and smiles of HOJ travelers did the trick.

We were playing and acting silly in no time, creating magical moments, that are now memories we will hold dear forever…  

Children are the future, the future of our families, our village, city, country. They’re the ones who will shape the world to come.

And being on tour with Hands On Journeys, has once again showed me, how important it is to nourish the brilliance children overflow with. I wholeheartedly believe, that these little angel like humans we encounter, will grow into what we, adults, believe of them.

And what we believe of them – is first and foremost what we believe of ourselves.

Please take that in…

/by
,

That time I met a business man in Cambodia | Our Travellers Stories

I first met Douk when he interrupted a lunch the other day. As you may do when someone stops a conversation I told him we would catch up another day. I like to keep my word so today we did.

I had a ‘not-sure when it will happen but it will’ date with a total stranger. What more could you want.

We had a drink together, I was naughty and had a beer but as he was on working hours he declined and stuck with a soda.

We discussed his life and the stories behind how he came to have this little office of his. We talked about the countries I had visited and I was amazed he knew the population and distance of them all from here. We talked about family and everything in between.

He asked about the project I am doing here. ‘Australians’ he said, ‘They always help our children and I thank them’. Other tables around started asking about it too, they were intrigued and I felt had a genuine interest in getting involved with making a difference.

Douk asked if I could take his photo as he liked mine, sadly without my camera we settled for a snap on my mac. In hindsight, I stupidly assumed he would know what the computer was doing…

I purchased a book from his business to learn more about his history. He scurried off and told me to wait. He returned with a Cambodian Dictionary and and this Level 2 Cambodian book ‘A gift’ he replied with a smile, ‘A thank you from Cambodia’

‘Akun, Akun’ I cried out amazed by the generosity (and one of the few Khmer words I know – Thank you). That certainly is ‪#‎PayItForward‬ in real action and I will be following on from his lead again in a couple of days when we head to the capital.

I settled the bill and left, we penciled in a rough lunch date for next year.

I guess the thing I like the most about Douk is that he started his own business to support a family. He carries around all his books day in and day out. He hustles with charm and has an interesting story. He clearly wants to learn and know about the world. He has a passion that I love to find in anyone.

He also tragically has no arms, caused by a war he never wanted. The remains of those bombs litter his country and took away the very things I have typed this out with.

If he can have the smile, strength, will and power to start a business and make his own future then we all can.

I can’t wait to our next date to speak with him in Cambodian, the language he in a roundabout way will have taught me.

I guess sometimes those people we initially ignore have something much more to give us than we ever thought possible. We also have just as much we can give back.

But only if we choose too…

 

/by
, ,

Understanding Genocide in Cambodia: A visit to S21 and The Killing Fields

The noise of the violins rising from the audio guide, battling against the thunder. The young face peering through barbed wire with outstretched hands. Me, standing there with an umbrella hiding tears amongst the rain drops.

It could have been a movie scene.

But it wasn’t.

It was the remains of a hell I was stood in the midst of.

I look down and see bones, to my side the floor is littered with the remains of clothes. The skulls of those who were tortured sit in the distance. The reality of the Killing Fields, the history, the emotion consuming me in a completely new way.

I look inwards and question why I can’t help that young boy stood soaking wet whose eyes are glazed over. Why my world has been so much more fairer than this one. Why these places ever had to exist.

Why?

It was the only word I could muster…

The dark history of Cambodia was never touched on in my school education and that seemed a common theme throughout the group I visited with, if you are the same allow me to talk history.

Genocide in Cambodia

During the Khmer Rouge regime, nearly anyone with an education or connection to the previous government was a threat. All those, and many others, that came under these categories were rounded up, arrested and tortured before eventually being executed.

This is not from centuries ago, but recent history which took place in the 1970s. Although exact numbers of those murdered fluctuate between resources many figures average out around the two million mark. Ethnicities were targeted along with Monks and religion. The tragic reality is, many western countries had the chance to help stop this, but whether through great deception, extreme naivety or the decision not to acknowledge it they didn’t. I am not going to start talking politics on this subject, you will have your own decision after visiting the museum.

The figures however do not count the millions of other who died through starvation and illness after the executions. The impact of the Khmer Rouge lives on and is evident in modern day Cambodia. The warmth, strength and power of the Khmer people however triumphs these days and is noticed straight away by any visitor. For a more in-depth history, check out Wikipedia.

Cambodia History

The Killing Fields

Never have I visited a place so raw and so emotional. The audio guide tour is incredibly detailed and includes history, stories and some of the most haunting specially composed music I have heard. Shortly after arrival a storm struck which dislodged bones and clothing from the floor. This is not a tidied up and glamorized version of history, it is very raw and incredibly impactful.

The Killing Fields, of which this is one of many, were the murder site of beyond a million people. Mass graves hidden out of sight are now ditches in the grass and act as a memorial to the tragedies that took place here. You can still see the trees children were beaten to death against and a memorial building houses the skulls of many whose bodies were dislodged to the surface. Words can’t describe this place. Although graphic and challenging to visit, it gives such an insight into the country I couldn’t have gained from anywhere else.

S21 Prison Museum

S21 Prison Museum

The Toul Sleng Genocide museum, also referred to as S21 Prison has been cleaned up in parts to house the history on display. In other wings, little has changed and the weight of the history and tragedy literally clings to you skin as you slowly take it in and chills linger over you. Doing both here and The Killing Fields back to back makes for a tough experience. People in my group broke down in tears and had to leave. The day was unlike any other I have had at similar places to remember a dark history.

During the Cambodian genocide, this old school was converted to be a detention centre for those 17, 000 who were hold here before heading to the Killing Fields. The grounds became a burial site for those who died during torture whilst under arrest in the very building. It now houses photos and stories to be learnt from as well as retaining some of the original fittings. The photographs of the faces that once resided here will haunt you long after you have returned home.

To Discover Cambodia from the inside out learn more about joining one of our tours with a twist.

/by

What Cambodia Taught Me About Silence | Our Travellers Stories

Today, Maria shares her Hands on Journeys story after joining us in Cambodia. A lesson in silence and true presence…

Cambodia has taught me a lot about silence. Maybe, it is because lately, I’ve been paying much more attention to the importance of pausing, listening and not rushing to speak. Or maybe, because I’m finally beginning to grasp why we’ve been gifted with two ears and just one mouth.

In today’s world, it’s not uncommon to perceive silence as an uncomfortable gap between spoken words. And sure it can get awkward at times, but does it have to though?

What I’ve discovered for myself during the Hands on Journeys tour, is that silence in presence can be powerful. It’s embracing. It allows space for acceptance.

Soul level connections are born in such silence.

And I would like to give you bit more context on why I’ve come to believe so by telling you about the 24 hours we spent at the remote village of about 300 people just outside of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

We arrived at the village around 9am and as part of our give back initiative with Hands On Journeys, our group’s job was to try out the freshly introduced “homestay concept”, play with kids and install a couple of water filters.

To some of you, this might sound like an easy task. But for those of you who’ve been to less traveled parts of Southeast Asia, you know that it’s not. Clean water, proper housing and sanitary facilities are a luxury at the place we stayed at. Cultural immersion at its finest is what it was.

If I were to describe the experience in one word, I would say it was stretching. Physically, emotionally and spiritually eye-opening.

And of course silence… Silence played a big role in that stretch.

When we first arrived at our house, the son of our host parents (who was the only person speaking English) wasn’t there. We had no choice but to communicate in body language, and smiles. Surprisingly, we got comfortable with each other quite quickly, just after a couple of shared hugs and giggles. All of us could feel the love. And I know for myself, that in that moment, I was accepted for who I am.

Later in the day, after we finished painting a freshly installed toiled that one of the poorest families was blessed with, we gathered all the kids for a bit of a fun time in the middle of the village.

Like all kids, a lot of them were shy at first. But it didn’t take much convincing. Eye contact, a warm smile and a stretched out hand was all it took. We were dancing, playing games and acting silly in no time. It was truly a wonderful experience. 

Maria in Cambodia

The next morning, we woke up at 3am to attend a festival called Pchum Ben held at the local Pagoda. Long story short, our group was invited to come all the way to the front by the head monk of 3rd rank. None of us really knew what was going on. All we knew was that it was an honor, and that we were being appreciated, blessed and respected by the village, its elders and monks.

There wasn’t much translation that morning, just a lot of silent eye contact and cheeky smiles. Minimal gestures, maximum connection. The presence of people around us was as overwhelming, as it was enlightening.

As I write this… I can think of so many more magical moments spent in silence: taking a nap while surrounded by at least a dozen of cows, enjoying the lightning from the rooftop of the only school at the village, taking a boat to one of the host family’s fish farms…

And as we said our goodbyes that day and started heading back to our luxurious hotel with hot showers and happy hour drinks, I wondered… Why do we speak so much? Is that what society expects us to do? Or is it because we are uncomfortable in silence? Or could it be because we are uncomfortable with ourselves?

We spent our ride back in silence.

11 travellers, same village, same task, very different experiences. All of us carrying a strong sense of gratitude for what just happened. Taking it all in. Quietly.

One doesn’t need to speak in order to make an impact. We all speak one language, one of love and unity. We just seem to forget it sometimes…

Thank you, Cambodia and Hands On Journeys, for teaching me how far heart-centered presence and silence can go.

/by
,

Lessons From The People of Cambodia | Our Travellers Stories

Today Sally fills us in on the take away from her experience travelling with Hands on Journeys…

In our final days I was asked, ‘What pre-conceived notions did you have about Cambodia?’ and I was somewhat stumped. I realised not only had I very ignorantly neglected to learn about this beautiful country in my 22 years, I had also neglected to learn about it prior to entering it.

I had lumped it into the category of South-East Asia and likened it to my experiences in other geographically similar countries like Indonesia and Thailand. During my Hands on Journeys experience I came to learn that Cambodia is quite unique in so many ways, and while there is no definitive answer for why, it’s undeniable they exist. So here are the four most eye-opening experiences and as a result, the experiences that have shaped my now educated notions of Cambodia.

Hands on Journeys Tour Group

  1. I landed in Siem Reap at around 9:30pm Cambodian-time, the night before the official beginning of the tour and was eagerly greeted by our first tour guide, Samnang, a bundle of total energy and humility. During the short taxi ride, he rattled off fact after fact about Siem Reap – increases in population and infrastructure over the preceding years, the central geographical location, religious leanings, describing and explaining landmarks as we drove past.

    I was absolutely blown away by the depth of his knowledge and came to think; if someone came to Australia there is no way I could provide such local or national background knowledge, even with private schooling, a tertiary education and endless resources. But he, and every Cambodian person I met, was proud of his country and wanted to share his wealth of knowledge with us. And as uneducated as I was at that point, I was in complete admiration of that.
  2. As I said I cannot make a definitive judgment as to why the Cambodian people are as wonderful as they are, or why Samnang was so proud of his country, but I can make an opinion-based judgement. In 1979, after the Khmer Rouge had wiped out half of the Cambodian population, the survivors were left with heartbreak so deep it’s so difficult to comprehend. In this situation you can let the doom of the past swallow you, or you can look forward and have faith that the future is much brighter than the past.My second eye-opening experience was the collective kindness and genuine happiness of every Cambodian person I met, despite the horrors and adversity they faced.  Their smiles, laughter and positivity was so heart-warming and genuinely inspiring it made me think: if they can survive that and emerge on the other side as a united, optimistic and happy country, there’s nothing we in the western world cannot overcome.
  3. My third eye-opening experience came in the second village we visited outside Phnom Penh, a population of around 300 people. I quickly learned that hostility and negativity just did not exist in this community. Absolutely baffled, I repeatedly made observations of how there were no threats in this community. The kids ran around freely and wander into their neighbours houses as they please, the older residents socialise in hammocks and at the coffee shop. They work when they need to work, the kids help with no objections.I asked our English speaking host, Daro, ‘How is everyone so chilled? How is there no negativity or hostility?’ and he simply responded ‘Because we respect each other.’ Like it was odd I even had to ask. And I thought back to everyone I’d ever gossiped about or every petty little thing that has ever annoyed me and realised, it is odd that I had to ask. Odd and sad.Sall on Tour
  4. Some of you who are HOJs blog enthusiasts may have already read that our crew was invited to personally sit, pray and eat with the head Monk of this village. This was a pinnacle moment for me. We were attending a traditional ceremony during the biggest religious festival of their calendar year and it was probably the most laughable fish-out-of-water scene you could imagine. I couldn’t help but think ‘Oh my goodness, we have no idea what we’re doing, we’re probably disrespecting their religion so badly right now.’ But shockingly, instead of being cast out or shot dirty looks we were invited to interact with the head Monk – a privilege most of these devoted worshippers would never receive in their lifetime, yet we stroll on in and are invited to engage in this magical moment. But again, to my shock, we were met with complete acceptance, not only from the head Monk but every person in that pagoda who was guiding us in the ceremony or thanking us for being there.They weren’t spiteful or jealous, it didn’t even occur to them to feel that way. Their pure and beautiful souls welcomed us in and accepted us as one of their own. That lesson that they didn’t even mean to teach has stuck with me, and I hope it will stick with me forever.

Cambodia

There are countless other moments and qualities that opened my eyes during my time in Cambodia and I have said from the very first day that collectively, the people of Cambodia are the kindest I have ever met.

They are the kind of people who make you want to improve yourself, who logistically are less developed than us but in so many ways are so beautifully advanced and their genuinely good hearts are infectious in the best way.

Despite one of the many driving forces behind Hands on Journeys being our desire to give back, the people of Cambodia equipped me with enough lessons to last a lifetime.

/by

The World Through Sarom’s Eyes | Our Travellers Stories

Today Sally, from our last Cambodia & Vietnam tour shares one of her favourite #HandsOnJourneys moments

“By the time we reached Phnom Penh I was already well aware that the Cambodian people were the sweetest, most kind-hearted people I’d ever come across.”

I hadn’t come across one person who had displayed any sign of negativity as I had expected, based on my experiences in similar South-East Asian countries. Stall owners at the markets didn’t yell at you to buy items from their store, the hotel employees always smiled timidly though kindly and as a whole they were inviting of our group and different cultures.

I hadn’t even hit the tip of the kindness iceberg until I reached our village, about 40 minutes by bus outside Phnom Penh, where we met Sarom.

Sally

The village itself was similar to a small town, divided into quite neat blocks separated by straight, uniform dirt roads. The houses were mostly raised on stilts, which created another ‘room’ sheltered by the actual house, where hammocks were hung and chairs were scattered. There were animals of all kinds roaming around everywhere – cows, chickens, dogs, cats and ducks – and kids running around in groups, waving and yelling out greetings as we walked along. Gradually we met each of our homestay families and members of the group peeled off, until the four girls from the tour and myself were left with our family.

The oldest of the family, and father of our English-speaking host, Daro, was Sarom. Although he didn’t speak a word of English, he bounced around joyfully; just plain overjoyed we were there. From there he and his wife were the most hospitable people I’ve ever come across. We had lunch and struck by the heat and the intensity of the journey so far, the girls and I laid on the outdoor bamboo counter, eager to rest.

Next thing you know, we’re being fussed over to no end. Pillows and blankets were brought down and gifted to us, Sarom hung a sheet off the end of the house to create some shade for us and hung a power-cord down from upstairs to turn on a fan for us. I had felt quite rude for napping while we were their guests, but not only did Sarom and his family not mind that we were having an afternoon siesta, he just wanted us to be as comfortable as possible and went to great lengths to make sure we were.

This kindness continued into dinner, where plate after plate of rice, traditional Khmer dishes and fresh, whole fish were served. Again, Sarom hovered around, laughing with his mouth open and head back and using Daro to translate the lovely things he was saying. He pulled cans of beer out of an Esky and offered them to us, not taking no for an answer. This is not a family or village that comes from wealth but he was so dedicated to making sure we had a comfortable and fun stay that he envisioned what we would want, being Westerners, and got it for us.

Cambodia

We obviously come from circumstances that are more financially prosperous and better developed, yet he didn’t expect anything from us. He still wanted to give and be generous, regardless of who we were and where we came from. The reason that was so pinnacle to me was because here in Australia, we have so much. We have the capacity to go out and experience the world, to be educated, to earn money and buy the material things we want. We live in solid shelters, with clean and endless water and reliable, constant electricity. But we’re still always wanting more or not happy with what we’ve got, which leads to selfishness and greed.

I feel like if we could all see the world like Sarom does, and aim to please those around us regardless of what we have, it would lead to not only being a lot happier within ourselves but also help establish a sunny and positive environment in which we live.  

/by

Lanterns, Friends and Tears of Joy | Our Travellers Stories

This week Maria shares her #HandsOnJourneys moment with us from the beautiful UNESCO Old Town of Hoi An.

16 days felt like eternity…

From meeting and getting to know an extraordinary group of travelers, to trying exquisite local cuisine and serving villages that had nothing left but hope, to all night parties and heritage sites, to tuk-tuks, beautiful conversations with strangers and divinely good massages… Our journey was full of experiences that could have been easily called ones of a lifetime.

But a memory of our last day, our final night, is something I will treasure forever.

Hoi An

I must begin by saying that Hoi An, a little town South of Da Nang, is one of the most magical places I’ve ever been to.

Its well-preserved Ancient Town takes you back in time, literally. Its unique architecture, peaceful canals and colorful lanterns make you want to put away your phone and camera, as no matter how hard you try the lens doesn’t do justice to the beauty and depth this popular destination has to offer.

As you can imagine, over the span of 16 days our group got pretty close. After all, we traveled, explored, shared tear and shared a powerful experience of serving others together. And as a group, we knew, that Simla and Hands On Journeys crew would make sure our final night ended of a high.

And it did.

Stepping outside of the hotel, we found individual bicycle rickshaws waiting for us. As we met our drivers and settled in, there was another surprise… A digital brochure that had a video of our HOJ experience together…

Maria in Cambodia

Let me tell you, there were tears of joy and immense gratitude flowing in that moment.

And if that wasn’t enough, we soon found out that our dinner was actually on a boat. A private boat, to be exact.

We stepped on board, sat down around the table and drifted away from the shore.

I don’t remember what we ate, I just remember the food being delicious.

I don’t remember how long was our ride, I just know it was perfectly timed.

I can’t recall what each and every one of us said, I just know we expressed gratitude and admiration for each other, as well as the unforgettable experience we shared.

And if I may be honest with you, in this timeless bubble of positive emotions, I remember feeling at peace. In the right place, at the right time, surrounded by people who value travel, community and impact as much as I do.

And in that moment, I couldn’t have asked for more.

Hoi An Lanterns

PS As we stepped off the boat and crossed the river, we were greeted with music, buckets of delicious cocktails and lots and lots of dancing. But that’s a whole another post in itself 🙂

/by

Fishing with Friends: A Cambodian Anecdote | Our Travellers Stories

For this weeks Traveller Stories, Alex Echols recalls his special #HandsOnJourneys moment…

“When I was younger, a fishing rod was passed on to me.”

In my hand, I held that metal pole adorned in majestic blues, reds and yellows, with fishing wire and a hook that I knew could snap up some of the largest fish. A person believed in me enough to give me that fishing rod, with hopes that I would take what I was given and one day, do the same for many to come.

Enter Hands on Journeys.

It was not that long ago when I was disembarking my plane in Siem Reap that I looked forward to my experiences and imagined what would life be like in Cambodia. I knew I was in for some adventure, but up until that point, I had not understood the breadth of humane service I would be providing to the people of Cambodia, namely the little boys and girls of the villages we first visited.

It was a warm, humid day when our group loaded our coach in route to a place where we would spend two days working with a village that was lead by a matriarch and beautiful soul, Yeay.

Alex on Tour

On arrival, we were met by many young boys, small and even smaller, running towards our coach with anticipation for our participation and presence with them. Over the span of the next two days, we would work with the village to provide them with new infrastructure for their grounds, their shacks and for their water filtration systems. We were empowering them with tools that would allow them to grow and sustain well past our short stay with them.

Our work with them was something that we were thanked many times for, and while I enjoyed helping in that way, it was the passing of the fishing rod to the little boys and girls of the village that brought me my biggest joys.

Toothpaste to toothbrush.

Seeing some of the young children brush their teeth for the very first time in their lives and the grins they had on their faces as they gleamed at us with admiration and cleaner smiles, we soon ushered them to their brand new seats where we taught them mathematics and writing.

When I was younger, I was taught a phrase that has since remained with me:

“Give a friend a fish and they will eat for a day, but you teach a friend how to fish and they will eat for a lifetime.”

I’ve always kept this motto with me because I believe in the power of paying it forward.

Years ago, someone believed in me enough to pass me my very own fishing rod. And now, I’ve been able to do the exact same thing through sustainable tourism with the help of Hands on Journeys.

Forever grateful. Forever fishing.

Alex
#dreamsmatter

/by
, ,

Can you Party and Pay it Forward? | Our Travellers Stories

Pub Street became an ongoing joke amongst our group of travellers on our tour of Cambodia and Vietnam.

If you’re not sure what Pub Street is, it’s exactly what you think it is. Possibly the least creative naming of a location in the history of the world. It is quite literally a street full of pubs, clubs, bars, restaurants – all of which sell copious amounts of alcohol.

Pub Street Siem Reap

Where I’m from, the Gold Coast in Australia, partying is pretty common.

Some might say we consume an above average amount of alcohol and I can say with confidence every time my GP asks how many standard drinks I consume during a ‘binge’ he almost falls off his chair. So when I met the first member of the Hands on Journeys crew at Ho Chi Minh airport on our connecting flight to Siem Reap, I asked nervously “Do you think this will be like, a party trip. Do you think everyone will party?” To which Maria replied “Oh God I hope so! It is now!” I made some awkward comment about how the best way to bond with someone is to get rolling drunk with them, do some stupid stuff and make some (fuzzy) memories.

And bond we did! We arrived at the hotel in Siem Reap at about 10pm local time, which meant 1am Australian time, which meant I had been travelling for 17 hours and was ready for a shower and bed. But Simla, almighty founder of Hands on Journeys, had other ideas. She convinced us to go out to Pub Street for what she called ‘one drink’. Many hours and twice as many tequila shots later, I deemed that as a lie.

We jumped in a tuk tuk and met the majority of the group in a restaurant where I was immediately force fed a beer and awkwardly introduced to everyone at the table. Shortly afterwards we were fist pumping to some heavy tunes, licking salt off each others hands (ok maybe that was just me) and laughing like we’d known each other for years.

Sally

If I told you the things that happened that night you wouldn’t believe me.

We saw, and fueled, a massive dance battle between a 13 year old local girl and some random tourist who I’m pretty sure was a professional b-boy. They are absolutely tearing it up while about 50 people look on, yelling encouragement and voicing their amazement at these moves. Next minute some guy dressed all in white jumps in and does a backflip. Where else does that happen?!

The clubs are all open and security is loose, so everyone from all the different clubs just dance and mingle in the street outside each respective venue. The music is clashing and the drinks are in street-friendly plastic cups but it’s just heavenly and free. I met an older man who was wearing knee high women’s socks and denim short shorts, who handed me a note that just said ‘Jeff”. I had my hair done by a local who just decided my current hairstyle wasn’t working for me and needed improving. We played games in the street until the early AM, until we were ready for bed and my stomach had a hot date with a Cambodian toilet bowl.

A couple of days later our resident traveller and English legend, Dan, would get so reckless in Pub Street he did the worm in the street and started a flash mob. Both of which became ongoing jokes throughout the entire trip and vivid memories I will cherish forever.

Why does this matter on a tour?

Although these experiences and Pub Street might not seem that amazing from your point of view, this place was pinnacle to my experience with Hands on Journeys as it set the tone for the entire trip. I made memories with these fantastic people who everyone opened up and were perfectly and unashamedly themselves. When considering travelling in a group you might worry that you won’t like the other people, or they might not like you, so it was a huge relief to me, personally, that I could jump off a plane and into this group of people who were so open to having fun and doing stupid things as I am.

Although we encountered a huge variety of experiences together during our trip, for me it was that first night on Pub Street that brought me together with this group and I will forever be grateful to, and fondly remember our Pub Street.

/by