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Our Adventures in ThailandVolunteer Adventure - 17 Days
Smiling Albino runs this volunteer adventure twice a year in order to provide help and support for programs we feel are beneficial to the local community and to involve westerners in the on-going life and times of the people of Thailand. This program is an opportunity to enjoy some of the greatest Smiling Albino adventures in Thailand, while sharing our time and energies in practical local outreach.
Besides having fun and feeling good, what are the real personal benefits?
Thailand and its people are magical and an opportunity to combine adventure travel and local outreach projects offers a very special Thai experience that brings you into the very life and times of the 'Land of Smiles'. This 17-day adventure combines classic Smiling Albino adventures, from our Bangkok and Ayutthaya day trips to our legendary Chiang Rai Northern Exposure with three separate outreach programs: mentoring mentally challenged persons for two days at one of Bangkok's largest girl's home, a few days of teaching at a large suburban Bangkok elementary school, as well as four days and three nights pitching in at Highland Farm and Gibbon Sanctuary in northwestern Tak province. During this adventure you'll not only experience some of the greatest hidden treasures in the Kingdom, but also leave your mark by pitching in with local volunteer projects. Prepare for a one-of-a-kind, life-altering adventure experience! The price quoted is from a personal airport pickup on Day 1 in Bangkok until the end of our planned itinerary on the evening of Day 17. The trip includes 70% of your meals (as indicated), 16-nights of quality accommodations, all transport, 2 internal airline tickets, personalized Smiling Albino Adventure Kit, group mobile phone, all admissions, snacks, volunteer facilitation and the finest western and Thai adventure hosts. Aside from alcohol and souvenirs you'll rarely need to dig into your pocket during your Smiling Albino adventure - we've got you covered. Prepare to be hosted and truly taken care of! Day 1 - Arrival and Welcome to the Land of Smiles
We'll be waiting when your plane touches down in Bangkok, brush off the airline peanut shells and welcome you to the 'Land of Smiles'. You'll be whisked to your cozy home away from home and introduced to your surroundings. Upon check-in you'll receive your personalized 'Smiling Albino Adventure Kit', containing a custom-designed 'Adventure Guidebook', lots of handy info and neat tidbits. Today sit back, relax and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Day 2 - Bangkok Multi Transport Adventure Hit the ground running! Today we'll tick-off five must-see sites, while using all forms of urban transport (tuk-tuk, motorcycle, rapid train, boats and taxi) in a citywide blitz of temples, alleyways, rivers, canals and fine eats to give you a true appreciation of the 'City of Angels'. Today you'll see the Golden Mount, the stunning Grand Palace, Wat Pho (reclining Buddha), curious corners of old and new Bangkok and the urban-canals of Bangkok Noi, to name but a few of our stops. Not only can you tick Bangkok off your list, but you'll do it in swinging style! "Totally incredible. I can't think of a better way to enjoy a vacation, while challenging one's self and making a difference at the same time. I'll already telling everyone I know about Smiling Albino." - Cameron Ericson, Jacksonville, FLAMeals: B,L
Day 3 - Ancient Ayutthaya After a wonderful breakfast, we'll board our private minivan to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. Known as the Ancient City, it's situated one hour north of Bangkok in Thailand's central basin. Once regarded as one of the world's most beautiful cities, Ayutthaya features magnificent Siamese ruins, tranquil canal-side villages and classic Thai summer palaces. Exploring the fortress of Ayutthaya on bicycle provides a stunning and intimate glimpse into Thailand's glorious past.
Biking: 20km (paved roads)
Located in northern Bangkok, Ban Rachawadee Ying (BRY) is home to more than 500 young women, generally between seven and 18 years of age. They come from a variety of backgrounds and have a varied schedule of needs. The objectives of BRY is to provide a safe environment to live, support, rehibilitation, technical training and most importantly, to make their lives as happy as possible. Smiling Albino staff started volunteering at BRY in January 2006, leading mural painting workshops, arts and crafts sessions and fun picnics. Since that time we have been taking groups of volunteers to BRY to partake in cultural exchanges, doing our best to brighten these brave ladies' lives. A couple of days at BRY is a truly moving experience. Volunteer travelers can expect a range of activities from helping make beds, playing games with the kids, facilitating 'snack time', leading games in the playground, or simply sitting with some of the children and communicating in Thai and English. We also try to lead a field trip to a local attraction such as a swimming area or kid's museum, etc. These trips are a rare and special opportunity for the children at BRY and a riot for volunteers! "Volunteering at the Girl's Home was one of the most unique experiences I've had. Funny, I never thought I would be taking children tobogganing in Thailand. Thank you SA, for a great time and for helping me do something to make the world a little better." - Bruce, Vancouver, BC For more details about Ban Rachawadee Ying, please visit our Ban Rachawadee Ying community page. After our second day with the kids, we'll return to our hotel and rest up for our three-day teaching program at the Surowa Huamark Noi School in eastern Bangkok! Meals: B,L
Located close to Smiling Albino's headquarters in eastern Bangkok, this school has over 700 students from Grades 1 to 6. Students here have rarely had the opportunity to interact, let alone receive classroom instruction from native English speakers before. As foreigners are few are far between in this corner of the city, you'll be thrust into the limelight and reach instant celebrity status while teaching at the school. Together we'll prepare a few days worth of fun English lessons, activities and give you the crash course in 'Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages'. Don't worry; you don't need to be an experienced teacher, just have a willing attitude and a sense of humor. We'll arrange for nearby accommodation and transportation and help you settle in for three of the most amazing days you'll ever have. "Hi SA...it was great! I am still in a sort of daze. Thank you all for your caring attention. The northern trip was amazing and the Bangkok school teaching was sweet with the added bonus of all those smiling kids at the orphanage. Thank you so much." - Carol, Ottawa, ON After teaching on Day 9 we'll catch an early evening flight with Thai Airways to the country's northernmost province, Chiang Rai. Arriving at Chiang Rai just after sunset sets the ideal tone for the next five days. Take in a cerebral evening in your luxurious villa along the Mae Kok River and drift into the northern groove. Enjoy the herbal spa, a dip in the infinity pool or perhaps a traditional Thai massage. We'll spend the next two nights of our odyssey at The Legend, a stunning boutique riverside resort. Meals: B,L
Day 9 - Bikes, Boat & Elephant
Using bicycles, then a longtail boat we'll head up-river to a Karen hilltribe elephant camp. Mount your very own pachyderm, ride through the hills then enjoy a light lunch along the river. We'll then set off on a beautiful country cycle back to Chiang Rai city, passing through quaint villages and quiet temples. This active, yet unobtrusive means of transport provides a natural glimpse into Chiang Rai's enchanting rural communities.
Biking: 20-40km (paved/dirt roads, depending on group experience)
Day 10 - To Chinatown
With our comfy private van we'll make a spectacular ascent to a stunning Chinese mountain village. For those who wish to summon their sense of adventure, strap on a helmet and learn how to ride a Thai motorscooter! We'll lead you through a comprehensive and safe training program then head off on our 'hogs' and accompanying van to one of the Kingdom's most stunning destinations - Doi Mae Salong. Riding roughly 75km, stopping at your will for great photo-ops, we'll ride up and over spectacular jungle-covered mountains and past many hilltribe villages enroute to this enchanting retreat. Once opium country, Doi Mae Salong is now home to Thailand's premier Oolong tea production and Yunanese who fled China during the Cultural Revolution. This charming township exudes a special, quiet energy that will leave you reflecting on your time here for years to come. We'll spend tonight in a beautiful Chinese villa, perched on the mountainside, overlooking terraced tea plantations.
Van/motorscootering: 75km (paved roads and dazzling turns)
Day 11 - Over the Hills and Far Away It's back on the mountain roads for a spectacular day of upcountry cruising. This 105km ride takes us places most visitors simply don't make it. We'll have a royal feast at Doi Tung, the country's premier royally-initiated development project where spectacular mountaintop botanical gardens are one of many attractions. This afternoon we'll wind up, down and around a twisty mountain road that straddles the Thai-Myanmar border to Mae Sai - Thailand's northernmost point. This fascinating town where traders from countries around the Golden Triangle converge to ply their wares and eek out a living is the perfect place to pick up interesting souvenirs and people watch. In the early evening we'll shuttle to The Greater Mekong Lodge situated at the world famous Golden Triangle, where we'll spend the night. "We cannot say enough about you and the trip - you were (are) the perfect hosts - from taking us to some of the best restaurants in Thailand (best restaurant meaning 'quality of food', not tourist decorated or catered to) to tea tasting in Doi Mae Salong. You taught and showed us much more about the Thais' traditions and culture than we could have ever learned on our own. If anyone out there wants a unique and lifetime thrilling memory of Thailand, you are the folks to provide that." - Moira, Calgary, AB Meals: B,L,DVan/motor scootering: 105km (paved roads and spectacular twists)
Day 12 - Golden Triangle This morning we'll visit the world-class 'Hall of Opium' museum to learn about the historical importance of this distinctive region and the role this illicit drug played. Next we'll enjoy a relaxing riverside lunch along the mighty Mekong, then gear up for some real excitement. We'll board a high-speed longtail boat and blast our way (60km/hr) down the legendary Mekong River to a Laotian market, then on to the charming town of Chiang Khong. Tonight we'll rest our heads at a wonderful teak-wood hotel right on the Mekong. Meals: B,L,D Boating: 60km (twisting down the mighty Mekong.)
Day 13 - Mekong Life & to Chiang Mai Chiang Khong sits on the banks of the Mekong with Laos facing her from the east. This sleepy town serves as a border crossing point between the two countries. Enjoy a reflective morning at your leisure and an opportunity to get up close and personal with the many colorful characters that call this region home. Late in the morning we'll board our private van and head south to Chiang Mai where you can enjoy the night relaxing, exploring the legendary Night Market and feasting on northern Thai delecacies. "My benchmark definition of customer service/care has changed; you are awesome! The trip you arranged was magical. I cannot believe we were only with you for two weeks. I look back at all the things we did and it felt like at least a month. We've come away feeling like we've had a great holiday, a great cultural experience, challenged ourselves, provoked a reassessment of our lives and made some new friends." - Neal, London, UK Meals: B,L
Days 14 - 17 - Highland Farm and Gibbon Sanctuary In the morning we'll board our private van and head further southwest to Highland Farm & Gibbon Sanctuary, located just kilometers from the Burmese border. The next few days will be spent learning about the Farm and its many animal residents. Started in 1991 by Bill & Pharanee Deters, Highland gives hope that the world can be a better place. We'll host you at Highland Farm and introduce you to the Farm's owner, Khun Pharanee, who'll teach you about her mission to educate the public about environmental issues such as human encroachment, reforestation and how to care for gibbons, lemurs, owls, peacocks and many other creatures that have ended up at Highland. Most of these animals were rescued after being taken from their natural environments by poachers, abused by humans or abandoned by their parents. Pharanee's husband Bill passed away in 2002 and now she continues the crusade herself. This is truly an inspirational woman and an amazing place!Note: If you have particular skills that may be beneficial to one of the on-going projects at Highland Farm (ex. graphic design, marketing, construction, landscaping, etc.) please let us know and we can work together to do something special during our stay up there! Meals: B,L,D For more information on Highland Farm please read: On Day 17 we'll say goodbye to new friends made, both human and animal, then catch a private van in the morning back to bustling Bangkok. As we say goodbye you'll be filled with amazing memories of your supreme adventure. "Krang na, pope gan mai na" (see you again next time). Things you may wish to add to your adventure:
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Thanks very much for visiting us and learning a bit about Adventures in Asia
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