Impact Tourism through O.A.T.

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Overseas Adventure Travel, a familiar name in international group tourism, has a recognized history of offering an array of immersive tours that not only prioritize cultural engagement but also emphasize sustainability while remaining affordable for travelers. Their unique approach allows adventurers to connect deeply with diverse populations and local traditions, fostering genuine interactions.

In alignment with this mission, their charitable partner, Grand Circle Foundation has made a profound commitment to uplift and support the communities they visit around the world. This includes providing essential services in areas such as education, access to clean water, and leadership training, ensuring that the benefits of tourism extend far beyond the travelers themselves.

Since 1992, O.A.T.’s active participation in conservation initiatives aimed at protecting natural ecosystems and preserving cultural traditions has created a positive and lasting impact in every location they’ve ventured into, thereby enriching visitors and communities alike.

We were about to experience this, first-hand.

Our Ancient Kingdom itinerary carved out a few days to explore the ancient capital and UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang and its ethnic surroundings.

Wall-mounted clocks displaying the times in Sydney, Tokyo, Luang Prabang, London, and New York.

Leah and I got our bearings during our group’s late-day orientation walk through the historic district, where we admired Wat Sensoukharam,

Sunset view of the ornate rooftops of traditional Lao temples, featuring intricate designs and vibrant colors, surrounded by greenery.

built in 1718 during the reign of King Kitsarath, and restored to its current state in 1957.

A decorative golden boat with intricate designs and dragon motifs, situated under a tent, showcasing traditional craftsmanship.

Also known as Wat Sen, the temple is believed to have been built using 100,000 stones from the Mekong River, giving the temple its name, roughly translating to Temple of 100,000 Treasures.

Interior view of a traditional wooden boat with ornate decorations and a dragon sculpture, showcasing artistic craftsmanship.

With the sun setting on the Mekong,

A scenic view of the Mekong River surrounded by lush mountains under a clear sky, featuring two traditional wooden boats on the water.

and commuter traffic saturating Sakkaline Street,

A man riding a yellow scooter with a child seated in front of him, both in a busy street filled with vehicles and pedestrians.

the sidewalk eateries busily prepped for dinnertime crowds.

A vendor stands behind a stall with roasted meat, including pig and various dishes, in a local market setting.

Down the road, merchants appointed their stalls with purses, pottery and paintings before the weekend procession to the night market, where family and friends flocked for a social evening.

A view of a traditional Lao temple illuminated at dusk, surrounded by colorful market stalls with red canopies in the foreground, and palm trees against a twilight sky.

The following morning, we scrambled into jumbos,

Two local men chatting near colorful shared transport vehicles in a vibrant street setting.

and rode to the Royal Pier,

Scenic view of the Mekong River with traditional wooden boats moored at a riverside pier, surrounded by lush green hills under a cloudy sky.

where we boarded a traditional wooden boat that transported us upriver to a nearby Buddhist temple on the western bank.

A wooden sign featuring ornate golden lettering that reads 'Vat Muangkham Mang Kalaram' against a red background.

We roamed the modest temple grounds, surrounded by ramshackle monastery dorms,

Rural wooden houses with metal roofs in a village, showcasing traditional architecture against a clear blue sky.

and temple buildings that had long forsaken its gold leaf …

A detailed view of a traditional Lao temple with ornate golden roofs and decorative pillars, featuring statues of Buddha and mythical creatures at the entrance.

for peeling paint.

View of a traditional Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang with intricate architectural details and surrounded by lush greenery.

Just beyond the temple walls, a steady show of curious children received us,

Two young girls standing outdoors, one wearing a pink hoodie and the other in a beige shirt and black pants, with a wooden stump in front of them.

acting as welcome ambassadors to Mouangkham Village,

A young girl holding a small, fluffy dog, wearing a blue polka-dotted hoodie, stands outdoors with greenery and wooden logs in the background.

an O.A.T.-supported community that was eager to share its hospitality.

A smiling woman holds a young child dressed in a patterned outfit, while the child clutches a plastic bottle, surrounded by nature.

The villagers have banded together to literally sustain themselves in a grass roots business by producing khai paen, a dried, river weed delicacy for wholesale food markets.

A person tending to a large tray of drying river weed in Mouangkham Village, with traditional buildings in the background.

We observed a demonstration: from washing and rinsing,

A woman uses traditional methods to process river weed in a communal setting. She is seen washing and preparing the green delicacy, with various drying frames placed nearby.

to beating the weed into submission, until it’s been reduced to a fine green veneer of fiber.

A man in a blue shirt uses a wooden tool to spread green river weed on a bamboo mat as part of the traditional preparation for khai paen in Laos.

It didn’t look overly complicated, requiring just enough finesse to master the battering. Only a scattering of thinly sliced tomatoes, shredded garlic and a sprinkle of sesame seeds was needed to complete the process.

My best effort was donated to the local economy.

A man sitting outdoors, showcasing a tray of dried river weed, with greenery in the background.

As a cottage industry, it may not seem like much, but it’s enough to provide for toddler high-tech.

A young child in a fluffy, light-colored outfit thoughtfully holds a smartphone while sitting on a wooden stool next to a tree in a rustic environment.

The following day, we boarded a bus to Mouang Khai Village for A Day in the Life experience among Lao, Khmu and Hmong people, who share humble homesteads,

A rustic outdoor area showing a wooden workbench, various tools, and containers, with a stack of firewood in the background. A chicken is visible near the ground.

but celebrate a rich cultural heritage, like playing the qeej (a reeded bamboo instrument) during a teenage courtship dance.

The village chief hosted a traditional Lao lunch, cooked by us with appropriate guidance…

Tourists engage in cooking while learning about local cuisine in a village setting.

but the highlight of the day was attending primary school with a dozen youngsters at their Grand Circle Foundation-funded, one-room schoolhouse, where we were exuberantly serenaded,

while the older children…

Two young girls sitting together on a wooden bench in front of a weathered wooden wall, one wearing a beige jacket with a character design and the other in a white t-shirt with a colorful print.

Two smiling young girls posing closely together, one holding a small object and waving. They are outdoors in a natural setting.

looked after the younger children.

Three young children sitting outside against a weathered green wooden wall, one child is wearing a colorful shirt and beaded necklace, another is in a light pink outfit, and the third is seated in gray attire, all appearing curious and playful.

After a special presentation to the village teacher of 15 years,

Two women interact in a classroom setting, with one handing a booklet to the other, who is smiling. A chalkboard with writing in Lao is visible in the background along with classroom materials.

we were escorted back to our bus.

A child holding hands with an older woman, walking on a dirt path surrounded by greenery and traditional houses.

It was a special day-in-the-life.

By reaching out and connecting with communities around the world, we learn to appreciate firsthand, not only our diversity, but our commonality — and the understanding we gain can be life-changing.

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