As a postscript to our Young Adults Put Muscle Behind Fundraising for the Sangkheum Center in Siem Reap, Cambodia article, the following is a brief report from Thomas Holdo Hansen, the whl.travel local connection in Siem Reap.

Bota (bottom), Jo (right) and Dayvy of angkorhotels.org prepare to set out with the young adults of the Sangkheum Center on the fourth annual Angkor Wat Bike Race and Rally in Cambodia

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Posted under Cambodia, General, countries, responsible organisations

By Ethan Gelber

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Most travellers first learn of Siem Reap when they start planning a visit to the famous Cambodian World Heritage Site that includes Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is, of course, a stunning 12th-century temple and the best-preserved structure of the Angkor Group, a wide-reaching jungle-thick area of hundreds of incredible monuments. It is, for many, a highlight of any trip through Southeast Asia. And on 5 December 2009, it will be centre stage for the fourth annual Angkor Wat Bike Race and Rally. [Editor's note: Don't miss our postscript and fundraising update following the events of the day.]

Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument ever built, is the backdrop for Siem Reap's fourth annual Angkor Wat Bike Race and Rally

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Posted under Cambodia, General, countries, responsible organisations, whl.travel newsletter

On 1 October 2009, Urban Adventures opened a whole new world to travellers yearning to unlock the secrets of some of their favourite urban centres. A global range of city-based tours, Urban Adventures is a franchise-based network of local tour operators specialising in high-quality experiential tour and activity services.

Urban Adventures drop the barriers between visitors and hosts, bringing you in direct contact with the people who give a place its character. Kids in Cambodia are especially expert at making you feel right at home.

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Posted under Brazil, Brunei, General, Greece, Jamaica, Latvia, Mexico, Philippines, Portugal, Samoa, Turkey, Zambia, local tips, new local connections, responsible travel, responsible travel news, whl.travel news, whl.travel newsletter

By Laura Pepper

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I had no idea that a trip with PEPY would have such an impact on my life. Well, actually that’s a slight lie. The friend who had recommended the Cambodia-based NGO to me had warned that it would, but I didn’t quite believe it. After all, I had volunteered before, I had travelled Southeast Asia before and I had been working with children for two years. What possible magic formula could PEPY bring to the mix? I found out during a 10-day Golden Week PEPY tour in rural Cambodia.

PEPY participants with Cambodian kids

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Posted under Cambodia, General, countries, responsible organisations, responsible travel, whl.travel newsletter