Nan reflects on one year of service

Hello there, my name is Nan and I have been working for Andaman Discoveries for just over one year now. I got the opportunity to come to Kuraburi after working for a large organization in Bangkok. I thought I would only be here for a few months, but after learning about Andaman Discoveries' work and spending time with the staff and villagers, I found the idea of leaving very difficult.

Working with the villagers feels good, and every day I am happy to come to work. Although I am Thai, I come from northern Thailand, and life here is very different. Every day I learn something new about my people, proving that Andaman Discoveries has something to offer everyone!

I am proud to work with Andaman Discoveries because our organization is helping many local people; our projects are important to keep traditions alive and our work gives them a sense of pride. Even though my work is in accounts, I am part of the team that makes a difference to the villagers and children. I have been lucky to work with a great variety of people and everyday brings something new. I meet people from all over the world and even though they are from different countries they all have the same vision of wanting to learn about Thai culture and the people and want to give something back.

Working for Andaman Discoveries has taught me that it is not all about ‘ourselves’ we can make a difference to others by just doing a little thing. Thank you for letting me be a part of the story.

Labels: community-based tourism, staff development

Delicious Thai Cooking Class

Laura french intern came trough the European Volunteer Service program fund by the European Commission. In this program the volunteer get the chance to follow thai class in order to improve the host language and in that case thai speaking and also get more familiar with the culture. Laura decided with her teacher Chittri Petcharat to add a cooking class at the same time. Chittri commonly known as Tu is a great teacher but also an amazing chef, she used to own her own restaurant here in Kuraburi, Cucina Andaburi that if you were in Kuraburi few years ago you might had the chance to try her beautiful and colorful food. Every Tuesday we cooked and then we enjoy and share the meal all together with Andaman Discoveries team and friends from Kuraburi. See below an example of traditional dish from Southern Thailand :

KanoomJeen Saonam - Rice Noodle with Coconut Milk and Pineapple

Ingredients:

1 kg rice noodle

1 head pineapple

¼ cup ground dried shrimps

½ cup thin slice ginger

7 small head garlic

¼ cup of chili

Soy sauce, lime , sugar

Directions:

1.Peel the pineapple and remove eyes. Coarsely chop the pineapple

2.Peel the garlic and thin slice widthwise remove to the plate

3.Peel the ginger and thin slice lengthwise remove to the plate

4.Thin slice the chili and remove into the plate

5.Ground dried shrimp and remove into the bowl

6.Mixed soy sauce, lime and sugar in a bowl add some chili and garlic

7.Heat the coconut milk in a small pot, add some salt and stir for 5 minutes remove from the heat and let it cool

8.Served rice noodle with pineapple chopped, garlic, ginger, chili, ground dried shrimp, sauces and on top coconut milk.

Labels: staff development, Thai culture, Thai food

Tui Chomphusri, our beloved Director, braved her first trip to Europe this March. First, she arrived in Rotterdam in the Netherlands for a marketing training with Center for Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI). The training ran between the 2nd and 7th of March, with an intensive schedule of workshops each day. Tui learned detailed theory and practice to market and develop Andaman Discoveries' programs.



She then traveled to Berlin, Germany, to attend the International Tourism Bureau (ITB) 2010 Convention. With over 12,000 attendees, the convention is a magnet for tour operators, travel agents, and like-minded organizations. Tui made connections with as many potential business partners as each day would allow. She returned to Kuraburi with fresh ideas, new contacts in the European market, and a big smile.

Labels: marketing, staff development