Three of four New Year’s celebrations behind us (Western, Chinese, and Vietnamese), Smiling Albino is looking forward to the months leading up to Songkran, the Thai New Year in April. In the meantime, we’re proud to announce a new fundraising program in Cambodia and welcome a new branch of one of our favorite hotels in Laos. Join us on one of our upcoming motor biking or family adventures in Thailand and Nepal, or follow us on Planet Asia travel channel, which were continually updating to keep you informed about the best attractions and experiences in Asia!

What’s Going On?

Angkor Hospital for Children Tuk-Tuk Program – In May 2010, we first visited the Angkor Hospital for Children, which treats up to 600 patients per day, all free of charge. Unfortunately, many Cambodian families are not able to afford the cost of transport to and from their rural homes and the hospital in Siem Reap.

Smiling Albino has thus hired our favorite tuk-tuk driver, Mr. Sophoan, to drive patients to/from the hospital at least six times per month, ensuring these kids get the treatment they need before their condition unnecessarily worsens.

We’re currently accepting donations to keep this program running through the end of 2012. To be a part of getting kids to the hospital in Siem Reap make a donation by clicking on our PayPal button. 100% of donated funds go directly to the program.

Hotel de la Paix opens in Luang Prabang, Laos – Hotel de la Paix, one of Smiling Albino’s favorite properties in Siem Reap, Cambodia, has just opened a resort in Luang Prabang, Laos. Set in a peaceful residential area once occupied by a French colonial fort, Hotel de la Paix portrays an age of historical splendor, combining the charm of the Lao people with the highest standards of western service. We’re looking forward to our first visit!

Posts, Pictures, Flicks & Podcasts

Planet Asia Blog:

Great Thai Cooking Schools – Nearly all visitors to Thailand can agree on one thing: Thai food is yummy! While visitors to Thailand can eat Thai food anywhere from Phuket or Bangkok’s fine-dining establishments to the country’s ubiquitous street food stalls, one of the best ways to appreciate and enjoy Thai cuisine is through a Thai cooking course.

How to Use a Thai Toilet! – Few cultural experiences are as a daunting as using a strange toilet in a foreign land. Fear not! Smiling Albino’s Scott Coates explains how to use (and enjoy?!) the Thai hawng nam.

Coming up on Planet Asia – Stay tuned for new blogs and podcasts! Looking for the best beer in Bangkok? Can’t decide if Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai is the right destination to visit? Want to know the best way to spend 48 hours in Phnom Penh or Ho Chi Minh City? Stay tuned for interesting interviews, discussions with experts and expats, and our very own insider tips for discovering the best of Southeast Asia! Read More…

Adventure Highlights

Customized Family Adventure in Nepal – Based on our popular Nepal Grand Slam, this family-friendly Nepal adventure has been handmade by Smiling Albino and a longtime Nepal resident with all the ingredients that have made our trips famous – various modes of transport, multi-activities, amazing venues, wonderful hotels, outstanding food, quirky corners, neat local characters and breathtaking scenery. Contact us about joining this unique family holiday in Nepal scheduled for March 17.

Northern Thailand Motorbike Adventure – We’re very excited to be leading our latest, custom-designed, motorcycling adventure, ‘The Outlaws Trail’ starting on February 22. This six-day, two-wheeled epic adventure starts in Chiang Mai, follows high roads though the seldom-visited Thai province of Lampang, along the Thai-Laos border in Nan, and then finishes up in the kingdom’s northernmost province of Chiang Rai. There’s simply no more exciting roads to motorbike than these and we still have a couple of seats free. Want to ride? Send us an email.

Connect With Smiling Albino!

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Contact:Get a hold of us any time.