Keeping It Real
What's in a name?
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 You may not know it, but you are part of a global movement. We are a group of international citizens who seek to make a difference wherever we are in the world. The way we travel has many names:
- Ecotourism,
- Responsible travel,
- Sustainable travel,
- Community-based tourism
With all the hype surrounding these and similar terms nowadays, their meaning is becoming diluted. People who aspire to travel respectfully and give something back can find themselves bewildered by the options. This growing movement is at risk of being a victim of its own popularity.
We hope the stories that follow will further detail what sets Andaman Discoveries apart from the crowd. We thank you for your continued readership and support of our efforts.
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Fragile Earth
Getting back to sustainable agriculture
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Monoculture farming is transforming the landscape of rural Thailand. As part of our growing community tourism network, a number of our village partners recently visited northern Thailand, where they learned about the all-too-common shortcomings of monoculture.
The group heard a poignant story from Sud, a small-scale plantation-owner who used to farm cassava root (most famously used in tapioca). For years he struggled to make a livable wage, strained by the high costs of industrial fertilizer and seeds required to sustain this nutrient-intensive crop. After a drought wiped out his crop, he lost everything. Fortunately, training from a local NGO helped redirect his agricultural skills, and he now manages a local community organic farming group. Sud and his group demonstrated how to use bio-fertilizer and employ various organic farming techniques.
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Erik's Journal
Skills for the real world at Phuket Special School
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Since 1993, Phuket Special School has provided a safe and educational haven for disabled, autistic, and deaf children from the ages 6 to 21. Every year, the school hosts a scout camp to develop important life skills and have fun outdoors. We sent Erik Rogers, our creative guru, to join in the festivities:
"It was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my several years in Thailand. I was imdeiately welcomed by the children, who nicknamed me P' Nung, which translates to 'older brother number one.'
You can learn more about this program on our website, or contact us for details.
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Legends of the Sea Nomads
Voluntourists treated to stories of Moken culture
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Claudine and Gill (UK) were among Andaman Discoveries' first voluntourists in Tung Dap village. Each of them agreed that the highlight of the visit was homestay host P' Noi's evening tales of the seafaring lives the Moken "sea gypsies," who comprise about half the village's population, were still living a generation ago. Claudine reflected:
"Perhaps the most enjoyable and memorable part of our stay was listening to the stories of our homestay host, P' Noi. After we had eaten we would sit on the floor in P' Noi's beautiful wooden house listening to stories from her Moken childhood. P' Noi spent the majority of her childhood aboard a Kabang -- a traditional wooden boat which the Moken use as a home, fishing boat, and for transportation. The Moken used to spend months at time on the ocean, traveling around the Andaman Sea in search of the fish which made up the majority of their diet."
You can read Claudine's complete story on our blog. You can learn more about this village on our website, or contact us for details.
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Kids on Vacation
Family Snapshots from Ban Talae Nok
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The Tausend family shared a special reflection about their visit with their two children, ages four and eight:
"I will never forget the palm weaving activity. We walked up to this older woman's home. She was weaving palms on her front porch and invited us to join her. I was a bit worried about our four-year-old because I didn't know if this was something he would be able to do. The grandma was so patient and helped him the whole time -- with every step. She didn't speak a word of English, but her smile and nods of approval made our son's face light up several times. What an incredible gift to us as a family, but especially to our little one!"
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Finding "True Thailand"
A Journey to Muang Kluang Village
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Two guests participated in community tours in Muang Kluang in March. For Ruth (Ireland), it was one of the highlights of her Thailand holiday. "We all sat and ate some great food. For me this was the most interesting part of the trip because I felt like I was in true Thailand," she said. In addition, Ruth enjoyed activities including traditional basket weaving, mangrove tree planting, and a scenic nature hike.
The Muang Klaung homestay program will benefit the villagers through revenue generation that will go towards skills development and youth education. You can learn more about this village on our website, or contact us for details.
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Southern Thailand Orphanage
French couple pilot new long-term volunteer opportunity
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 During their nine days volunteering with Andaman Discoveries at the southern Thailand orphanage, Jeremy and Audrey (France) assisted the children with gardening, handicrafts, cooking, drawing, and various construction projects. They discovered that even simple acts like smiling and eating with the children provided companionship and support.
"The eldest children are really independent, so most of the time we were with the younger ones. They like drawing, singing and listening to us read story books. The children were always ready and happy to do things with us."
You can learn more about this new program on our website, or contact us for details.
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Copyright
2009 Andaman Discoveries
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Why Us?
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Andaman Discoveries' internationally recognized community development and tourism projects make a real difference. Our International and bilingual staff have extensive knowledge, allowing guests to enjoy a true cultural exchange.
We have developed comprehensive teaching materials for those planning to volunteer in a school. And for folks new to Thailand we can arrange regional transport and accommodations, and even offer advice on traveling (our staff loves to explore the country, too!).
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Stay Connected!
Join our mailing list, become a freind on Facebook, follow our moves on Twitter, or join our LinkedIn group!
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"Andaman Discoveries is doing an AMAZING job with the villages, on so many levels!"
Me Ra, USA
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"For me
[the homestay] was the most interesting part of the trip because I felt like I was in
true Thailand."
Ruth, Ireland
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"The people are very gracious, the food is incredible and the children are as friendly as can be. While here, you won't be looking at Thailand, you will be in Thailand."
Hoyt family, USA
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