What a month it’s been! As Smiling Albino finishes up the first half of 2013, we’ve only got bigger and better things planned for the last half. Is that even possible?? Well, we’re about to find out.
We’re changing tack slightly going forward with our newsletters and blogs, as SA takes a bit of a social media breather to splash water on our faces. But change is good, and we plan to continue to stay in touch with friends and former guests (that’s you!) as often as possible and through a variety of different channels. For now, take a look at what we’ve been doing and what we have coming up, and let us know if you feel that sense of adventure
building. You know where to find us.
Thanks as always
Dan Fraser, Smiling Albino Founder
What’s been going on?
We just finished an epic adventure with a group of high-energy clients who wanted to see the best that Thailand had to offer plus a few custom touches thrown in. Among the things we managed to do was take a private audience with the abbot of Wat Pho – whom you may have seen leading Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton around during their visit last year – who also gave our guests some very valuable Buddhist amulets to bless their journey. A khlong tour of the Bangkok Noi area was next followed by ringside tickets to an exciting Muay Thai match – not to mention a private meeting with the fighters! We finished with the nightcap to end all nightcaps in a private room at SkyBar, one of Bangkok’s swankiest places to drink. And that was just day 1!
Helicopters are a safe, fun, and fast way to travel is South East Asia
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Day 2 included a visit to one of Thailand’s most hallowed temples and a visit to Studio Neanna, the renowned textile shop that hand-dyes their creations with natural pigments. Next? Oh, nothing, just a visit to a waterfall in a neighbouring province and another fabulous dinner, followed on day 3 by a helicopter ride to the Four Seasons Tented Camp to play with elephants before heading back to Bangkok. |
What’s coming up?
Travel stories from around the web
Smiling Albino goes beyond the clichés
We’ve all been tourists at one time or another, and it’s a rite of passage to stick out like a sore thumb while you enjoy yourself. But you don’t have to do that all the time. This article on CNN is a funny look at the 6 most clichéd Bangkok photo ops. Sure, we’re guilty of doing some of them from time to time – after all, those grasshoppers are delicious! – but something we’ve always prided ourselves on is getting away from the clichés and out into the real Thailand, meeting people, seeing sights and going places your regular tourist never will. Can you think of any other clichés that CNN missed?
| Ho Chi Minh City by motorcycle Scott and expert Vietnamese guide Mr. Qua take to the seat of Vietnam’s most visible form of transport – the motorbike – to seek out some authentic Vietnamese coffee in the hectic, crowded, buzzing streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Ride along with them as they buzz down alleys, beside taxis and past gorgeous architecture for a reward that’s truly worth the journey. |
View from the top of the Hai Van Pass
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Vietnam makes world’s 10 most scenic road trips
We were browsing this Huffington Post article on ten of the most scenic road trips and came across something we’re very familiar with – Vietnam’s Hai Van Pass! In the article it says that Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson called it “a deserted ribbon of perfection” and we couldn’t agree more! If you’re up for it, a Smiling Albino adventure in Vietnam can include an amazing motorcycle journey along this beautiful stretch of road. – Our Vietnam Grand Slam includes cycling it! We promise, it will be an unforgettable experience!
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