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There's a new member of the Andaman Discoveries family! Fyena Rose Lenni May was born on October 24; she weighs in at a healthy seven pounds and twelve ounces. Several of Kelly's close friends at Andaman Discoveries have been asked to act as the child's godparents. "I will be a single mother, but I know with the love and support of the Andaman Discoveries family and network, little Fyena will not want for anything," said Kelly.
Please join us in congratulating Kelly. We look forward to seeing her and the little one in Kuraburi again soon!
The Andaman Discoveries Team
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Polls Closing!
Please Vote for us Today
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Thank you to everyone who has already voted for us in the BBC World Challenge -- we sincerely appreciate your support. "The BBC World Challenge is a chance for us to share the difference we are making. Whether it's providing income to women's handicraft groups or training the next generation of conservationists, community-based tourism allows visitors to enjoy the traditional Thai way of life, while helping to preserve the unique culture of our region," Tui Chomphusri, Director of Andaman Discoveries, observed.
Voting is open until midnight (GMT) on Nov. 13. If you haven't had a chance yet, please help us and take a moment and vote today!
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Special Holiday Tours
New Options Highlight Region's Diversity
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Planning to travel in Thailand this holiday season? Check out the expanded range of activities and villages available in this year's special holiday tours. We've covered everything from reefs to rainforest and hikes to handicrafts! We invite you to explore the traditional culture and natural environment of the North Andaman region of Thailand -- whether you're traveling with family or exploring on your own, these itineraries showcase the best this unique region has to offer. Best of all, you will be helping local communities preserve their traditional culture and environment.
Can't travel to Thailand but still want to support community conservation? Please consider purchasing a holiday gift from the Andaman Discoveries handicrafts store. We offer hand-made cards, Ban Talae Nok herbal soap, and hand-carved Moken boats. Proceeds help provide local people with a complimentary source of income, while still continuing their traditional way of life.
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Life's a Clean Beach
Family Supports Environmental Effort
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 Andaman Discoveries and the village of Ban Talae Nok are extremely grateful to the Hannah Family (UK). Shortly after their recent village homestay, this benevolent family of four donated 10,000 Thai Baht (about $290) to the Ban Talae Nok Youth Group to support a regular beach clean-up effort. "We had such a fab stay at the village and thoroughly enjoyed the relatively unspoilt beauty of the coast there. We believe it would be a good thing, for everybody, if the beach was kept free of rubbish," said Susan Hannah.
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Familiarity Breeds Connections
FAM Trips Promote Region
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Andaman Discoveries and the North Andaman Community Tourism Network recently hosted two familiarization "FAM" trips, and were honored to host media and leaders in Southeast Asian tourism. As the name implies, the goal of the trip is to provide potential partners with an overview of the richness of area and its potential for responsible tourism. Nick of Buffalo Tours observed: "[T]he best parts of the FAM were when we were hanging out with the Muslim villagers. Spending time with local people in a respectful manner offers the chance for cultural exchange."
People from Berlin to Bangkok attended. From the Thai perspective, Rattanaporn from SpiceRoads tours observed that our community-based tours and homestays are "a good trip for Thais to learn more about our country and culture, and discover sustainable travel."
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Charmed a Third Time
Short-Listed for Wild Asia Award
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For a third consecutive year, Andaman Discoveries has been selected as one of the eight finalists in Wild Asia's Responsible Tourism Awards. These awards aim to support the creation of sustainable destinations in Asia. "We are delighted to be considered for this prestigious award. Our team sends a big thank you to the Wild Asia team for filming the villages, our projects, and our staff," said Tui Chomphusri, Andaman Discoveries Director.
Check out their video of Andaman Discoveries!
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Good Things Come in Threes
Volunteers Contribute at Local Projects
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Andaman Discoveries would like to give a special thank you to three volunteers who donated their time to make a big difference with three important projects. Michelle (UK), who taught sign language; Adam (UK), who helped with construction; and Leo (Netherlands), who taught English in a remote village.
By volunteering their time and unique skills, each of these people left a permanent mark on the lives of those they touched. Michelle explored differences between American, Thai, and English signing with the students at the Disabled School and Southern Thailand Orphanage. "It is an important lesson for the children ... that because someone is deaf or is not the same as us, they are still able to live life the same as us," said the director of the orphanage.
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Samoan Tsunami Relief
More Support Needed
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On September 29, a deadly tsunami struck Samoa and American Samoa, wiping out whole villages and sweeping boats inland and cars and people out to sea, killing scores of people in several islands.
The same devastating phenomenon in the North Andaman region spawned the work of Andaman Discoveries five years ago, and we are obviously anxious to help. Our friends at Seacology are raising funds to facilitate recovery in the local villages where they have projects. Susan Racanelli, Seacology Development Director, reports:
With the proceeds of the Samoa Emergency Relief Fund, we will assist the islanders with the projects they have identified are most necessary. Those villages are: Satapuala village, Upolu Island; and Falealupo and Tafua villages, Savai'i Island. We are anticipating that all of the villages will need repairs to public facilities and basic infrastructure. Seacology has chosen to target three villages where locally-based volunteers live and work, and can monitor the relief effort. Seacology ensures that all money raised will go directly to assist victims of this devastating tsunami.
To donate now, please visit www.seacology.org/news/display.cfm?id=4190
Read Susan's full account on our Blog: Part 1 and Part 2.
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Setting the Standard
Establishing Sustainable Tourism Policies
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Representatives from Andaman Discoveries and North Andaman Community Tourism (N-ACT) met with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), village leaders, and responsible tour operators in Bangkok recently to design and implement a new sustainable-tourism standard for Thailand.
The group established and ranked policies in such areas as service and safety, resource management, cultural heritage, and economics. "The new standards include homestays, and are a good start towards establishing guidelines to help villagers interested in community tourism," said Nattaya Sektheera of N-ACT.
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Nat the Uniter!
N-ACT Hosts Educational Events
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"It's important for those in our tourism network to meet regularly to exchange ideas, support one another, and share information," believes Nattaya "Nat" Sektheera of North Andaman Community Tourism (N-ACT). Her conviction was the driving force behind two very busy months organizing a guide training, study trip, and network meeting with members from nine communities.
With three days of expert facilitation from the Thailand Community Based Tourism Institute (CBT-i), village guides were trained in showcasing village attractions and practicing the "safety, meaning, and service" (SMS) philosophy. The guides strengthened their knowledge through various role-play activities.
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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 friend on Facebook, follow our moves on Twitter, or join our LinkedIn group!
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"Ban Talae Nok is the most beautiful, peaceful place. Life is slow and it seems everyone -- humans and animals alike -- live in harmony. It has been an invaluable time for us as a family and the kids have learnt so much."
Fay Family, Australia, Family Tour
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"Memories I will never forget. Wonderful People. If only we could have what they've got."
Steve, UK, Family Tour
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"Brilliant experience. Such a different lifestyle to our own.The best way to find out how another culture lives."
Lindsay, UK, Family Tour
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"I loved the experience and enjoyed the interactions with the locals. It really opened my eyes as to what is important in life ... the community, families, and sharing what you have."
David, Australia, Cultural Tour
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