Smiling Albino - Planet Asia - Asia Travel, Adventure, Trips, Experts, Media

Planet Asia

Planet Asia is your source for exciting and thoughtful tips, advice and local insights for traveling in Asia.

Planet Asia is created by Scott Coates and Daniel Fraser, founders of Smiling Albino, a team of travel enthusiasts offering custom built adventure travel in Asia. From our beginnings in Thailand in the late 90s we've expanded to cover Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Nepal, bringing a unique travel experience to lucky guests.

Planet Asia draws from our years of continuous travel and the intimate relationships we've built with a huge network of people throughout the region. Like our trips, Planet Asia combines multiple activities, charming venues, class, style and fun for a unique view of Asia and its characters. Our approach is simple - we stretch the limits of what's possible so that your journey is unforgettable.

Join us as we toast Bangkok's nightlife and hidden corners, motorcycle along the Himalayas in Nepal, pick expert's brains to keep your fingers on the pulse of the region and bring you into the heart of Asia.

Planet Asia helps you connect the dots and create the best travel experience you've ever had!

Music, Pai Crowd, courtesy of Jamie Ruben.

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Did You Know?

It's rude to step over someone's legs in Nepal.
You should always walk clockwise around a Buddhist stupa or chedi.
Nepal ranges from 71m-8,848m in elevation.
You can see rhinoceros during the Nepal Grand Slam.
Lumbini, Nepal is the birthplace of the Buddha.
The effects of altitude can be felt at 3,000m and above.
Nepal changed from a kingdom to a republic on May 28, 2008.
Nepal is bordered by China and India.
Mountains cover 80% of Nepal.
10 of the world's 14 highest mountains are found in Nepal.
Gurkhas, the famous soldiers, come from a mountainous region in Nepal.
84 million people live in Vietnam.
15 million tons of bombs were dropped on Vietnam during the war.
Bill Clinton was the first American president to visit Hanoi.
Vietnam's 'Bia Hoi' is perhaps the world's cheapest draft beer at about $0.25US/glass.
Dog and snake-blood wine are delicacies in Vietnam.
There are about 500 traditional dishes in Vietnamese cuisine.
Vietnam became a member of the World Trade Organization in 2006.
Vietnam is home to 10 'ethnic minority' or hilltribe groups.
It's a great idea to take lots of business cards to Vietnam - people love receiving them.
The Vietnamese lunar calendar began on 2,637BC.
The Mekong River travels 1,865km through Laos.
Laos' original name, 'Lan Xang Hom Khao', means 'land of a million elephants'.
Laos has SE Asia's smallest population at about 6.5 million.
Laos is the most bombed nation on earth.
Laos has 42 unpaved airports.
There are only about 30,000 land-line phones in Laos.
Laos, a landlocked country's lowest point is the Mekong River at 70m.
Laos' current borders were defined in 1907 with the signing of the Franco - Siamese Treaty.
Laos gained independence from France on July 19, 1949.
Laos is slightly larger in physical size than Great Britian.
Cambodia's Angkor Wat is the world's largest temple complex.
Cambodia's first democratic elections were held in 1993.
Cambodia is the most heavily-mined nation on earth.
Cambodia's highest FIFA football standing was 156th in 1998.
Palm sugar wine is Cambodians' local brew of choice.
Spiders are a favorite snack all over Cambodia.
You can get a cold can of beer for $1US in Cambodia.
Southeast Asia's first national park was established in Cambodia in 1925.
Vann Molyvann is Cambodia's most celebrated architect.
It's polite to use your right-hand when giving something in Cambodia.
Tibet has an average elevation of 4,572m.
Yak is a common meat eaten in Tibet.
Mt. Everest lies in Tibet and Nepal.
The north side of Mt. Everest (Tibetan side) is harder to climb than the south side (Nepalese side).
More Tibetans live outside than inside the country.
Yak butter tea is a favorite drink in Tibet.
Tibetans stick out their tongue to show respect.
A Tibetan nomad drinks roughly 40 cups of yak butter tea per day.
HM the Dalai Lama of Tibet is the 13th reincarnation.
China occupies Tibet, calling it the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).
The movie and book of 'The King and I' is illegal in Thailand.
Thailand has had 18 coups d'etat since 1932.
There are more than 4,000 7-Elevens in Thailand.
Thailand is the world's largest exporter of rice.
Thailand's calendar is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar, starting at birth of the Buddha.
Thailand changed from an absolute to constitutional monarchy in 1932.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the world's longest reigning monarch, ascending the Thai throne in 1946.
Arabica coffee is grown in the hills of northern Thailand and is quite tasty.
Many beaches in Thailand are now better since the tsunami.
The United Nation's Asian headquarters are in Bangkok.

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