Edwin Briels

Smiling Albino Myanmar Partner

The post An Open Letter About the Coup in Myanmar first appeared on Smiling Albino.

The post A Pre-Covid Myanmar Journey, Part 1 first appeared on Smiling Albino.

Now trending on Twitter, #VirtualThailand is inspiring travelers to post their favorite Thailand photos. From sunsets to local life, underwater scenes, culinary inspiration, temples and more, this trending hashtag is taking us on a user-inspired journey across the Land of Smiles.

Add your favorite Thailand travel photos tagging #VirtualThailand, #VirtualTravel and #MyBestAdventureSA to partake in the global armchair travel movement.

[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/3″ data_shortcode_id=”bhy7a2947″][cmsmasters_image shortcode_id=”t11grwrc9″ align=”none” animation_delay=”0″]8644|https://www.smilingalbino.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/thailand-3106053_1920-pixabay-300×200.jpg|medium[/cmsmasters_image][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_shortcode_id=”uk5timfpd8″ data_width=”boxed” data_top_style=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”0″][cmsmasters_column data_width=”2/3″ data_shortcode_id=”9yzu2h3yhu” data_animation_delay=”0″ data_border_style=”default” data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center”][cmsmasters_heading shortcode_id=”w3ekoe7ljl” type=”h4″ font_weight=”default” font_style=”default” text_align=”left” link=”https://www.google.com/maps/about/behind-the-scenes/streetview/treks/angkor/” target=”blank” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”5″ animation_delay=”0″]Temples of Angkor Street View, Behind the Scenes[/cmsmasters_heading][/cmsmasters_column][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/3″ data_shortcode_id=”emlcjkkpzw”][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_shortcode_id=”zxfpmf625″ data_padding_bottom_mobile_v=”0″ data_padding_top_mobile_v=”0″ data_padding_bottom_mobile_h=”0″ data_padding_top_mobile_h=”0″ data_padding_bottom_tablet=”0″ data_padding_top_tablet=”0″ data_padding_bottom_laptop=”0″ data_padding_top_laptop=”0″ data_padding_bottom_large=”0″ data_padding_top_large=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_bg_parallax_ratio=”0.5″ data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center” data_color=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_top_style=”default” data_padding_right=”3″ data_padding_left=”3″ data_width=”boxed”][cmsmasters_column data_width=”2/3″ data_shortcode_id=”buog0dqxj” data_animation_delay=”0″ data_border_style=”default” data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center”][cmsmasters_text shortcode_id=”f2zxvwt2rv” animation_delay=”0″]

Follow Google to temples including Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea, Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and more. This interactive tour of the Angkor complex takes you on an expedition to thousand-year-old temples in the lush jungles outside of Siem Reap, Cambodia. Jungle roads trace a path to the ancient cities that make up this ever-incredible lost Kingdom of the Khmer Empire.

[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/3″ data_shortcode_id=”u6p9f3rz”][cmsmasters_image shortcode_id=”blul63y9kr” align=”none” animation_delay=”0″]8727|https://www.smilingalbino.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Screen-Shot-2563-04-10-at-10.05.51-300×181.png|medium[/cmsmasters_image][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_shortcode_id=”6qcp3ra8hs” data_width=”boxed” data_top_style=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”0″][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/1″ data_shortcode_id=”38wrzyceq6″ data_animation_delay=”0″ data_border_style=”default” data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center”][cmsmasters_heading shortcode_id=”v6wzivoage” type=”h4″ font_weight=”default” font_style=”default” text_align=”left” link=”https://www.panomatics.com/portfolio?location=Thailand” target=”blank” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”5″ animation_delay=”0″]Panomatics Virtual Travel[/cmsmasters_heading][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_shortcode_id=”vt2x35orn” data_padding_bottom_mobile_v=”0″ data_padding_top_mobile_v=”0″ data_padding_bottom_mobile_h=”0″ data_padding_top_mobile_h=”0″ data_padding_bottom_tablet=”0″ data_padding_top_tablet=”0″ data_padding_bottom_laptop=”0″ data_padding_top_laptop=”0″ data_padding_bottom_large=”0″ data_padding_top_large=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_bg_parallax_ratio=”0.5″ data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center” data_color=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_top_style=”default” data_padding_right=”3″ data_padding_left=”3″ data_width=”boxed”][cmsmasters_column data_width=”2/3″ data_shortcode_id=”pl05s6a1i” data_animation_delay=”0″ data_border_style=”default” data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center”][cmsmasters_text shortcode_id=”onz2xxl16p” animation_delay=”0″]

Taking you to destinations through virtual tours, 360 VR video, video tours and more, this site transports you from the comfort of your home to Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and more. With a selection of luxury hotels across the region, your are immediately immersed in the surrounds as your mind absorbs the lush gardens, vibrant cities and tranquil settings of some of Southeast Asia’s most renowned properties and locales.

[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/3″ data_shortcode_id=”4rts6bquod”][cmsmasters_image shortcode_id=”8vgrm64uwd” align=”none” animation_delay=”0″]8732|https://www.smilingalbino.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/i-3X3SCfh-X3-300×200.jpg|medium[/cmsmasters_image][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_shortcode_id=”gcs0htkxla” data_width=”boxed” data_top_style=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”0″][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/1″ data_shortcode_id=”w2s03tcd8r” data_animation_delay=”0″ data_border_style=”default” data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center”][cmsmasters_heading shortcode_id=”5p9ibyuc1s” type=”h4″ font_weight=”default” font_style=”default” text_align=”left” link=”https://rivercitybangkok.com/blog/category/rcb-at-home” target=”blank” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”5″ animation_delay=”0″]River City Bangkok at Home[/cmsmasters_heading][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_shortcode_id=”h4csw1rrba” data_padding_bottom_mobile_v=”0″ data_padding_top_mobile_v=”0″ data_padding_bottom_mobile_h=”0″ data_padding_top_mobile_h=”0″ data_padding_bottom_tablet=”0″ data_padding_top_tablet=”0″ data_padding_bottom_laptop=”0″ data_padding_top_laptop=”0″ data_padding_bottom_large=”0″ data_padding_top_large=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_bg_parallax_ratio=”0.5″ data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center” data_color=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_top_style=”default” data_padding_right=”3″ data_padding_left=”3″ data_width=”boxed”][cmsmasters_column data_width=”2/3″ data_shortcode_id=”7wqx3vnqo” data_animation_delay=”0″ data_border_style=”default” data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center”][cmsmasters_text shortcode_id=”yc4d2fyr78″ animation_delay=”0″]

Situated along the Chao Phraya River, River City Bangkok is a hub for authentic antiques and decorative item shops. Learn about Thai culture through artifacts that transport you without leaving your home. Inspect elaborate Thai craftsmanship learning about the process of creating complicated, handmade designs, learn about the moral teachings that go into Benjarong covered jars, and more.

[/cmsmasters_text][/cmsmasters_column][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/3″ data_shortcode_id=”zjpyivje1o”][cmsmasters_image shortcode_id=”1twphs968j” align=”none” animation_delay=”0″]8734|https://www.smilingalbino.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/thailand-craft-hand-3281700_1920-300×200.jpg|medium[/cmsmasters_image][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_shortcode_id=”14gthcm37g” data_width=”boxed” data_top_style=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_color=”default” data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”20″][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/1″ data_shortcode_id=”wcd4fqwz6l” data_animation_delay=”0″ data_border_style=”default” data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_position=”top center”][cmsmasters_heading shortcode_id=”0zosjnrams” type=”h3″ font_weight=”default” font_style=”default” text_align=”left” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ animation_delay=”0″]Have you uncovered any of your own favorite virtual travels? Share them with us in the comments below![/cmsmasters_heading][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row]

The post Travel From Home: Our Favorite Virtual Travels first appeared on Smiling Albino.

Over the years the travel experience has embraced, rejected, created, and re-embraced many different identities, be it group tours, luxury travel, or thumbing your way from point A to Z. They all mean different things to different people.

But one that’s closest to our heart is travel defined by a concept known as ‘experiential learning’. The phrase was coined by David Kolb, an educational theorist (yes, that’s a thing) with a Ph.D. in social psychology from Harvard.

There are many ways to experience Asia, but applying some of the techniques that drive the experiential learning theory is a great way to make sure the trip a) stays with you long after you leave and b) teaches you something valuable. Along with elements that are already Smiling Albino mainstays (such as small groups and an itinerary with plenty of time for self-guided exploration), Kolb’s four elements of experiential travel are:

1. Concrete experience
2. Observation and reflection
3. Formation of concepts
4. Testing the new concepts

Concrete experience? Check. Indeed, that’s what Smiling Albino is all about. We’ve long urged our guests to step out of their comfort zone, try something new, or do something that allows them to see a place or experience from a different angle. Whether it’s pushing yourself to crest the final ridge on an uphill bike ride in Nepal, or eating fried bugs on the steamy streets of Bangkok, creating concrete, unique experiences is in our DNA.

But as hosts we can only open the door – the next three steps are up to you. If it helps, other researchers expanded on Kolb’s ideas a bit to provide five questions you can ask yourself to help trigger the ‘learning’ part of experiential learning:

1. Did you notice that…?
2. Why did that happen?
3. Does that happen in my life?
4. Why does that happen?
5. How can I use that to my advantage?

It might sound a little counter-intuitive, applying mental analytics to a trip, but trust us – when you analyze the pieces of an adventure, there’s a lot to learn about your trip – and yourself – that may not have been obvious before.

The post Experiential Learning first appeared on Smiling Albino.

Like many industries, the travel and tour business is a lot like an iceberg – what you see is only a small fraction of the whole package. From a client’s point of view, most any service they pay for – be it getting a package from FedEx, sending a text on their phone, or paddling a sea kayak into a limestone cave – is just one small part of a complex system that took a ton of planning and logistics to provide. That got us thinking – wouldn’t it be interesting to provide some insight into what exactly goes into a Smiling Albino trip?

In a four-part series, we’re going to take a look at the who, what, and how of crafting an Asian adventure, from the first contact email to the bittersweet hugs at the end.

Part IV: Wrapping up

Saying so long to a group that you’ve bonded with is always a bummer, no matter if it’s been a few hours or a few days. But we never like to leave things at goodbye, indeed, what comes after a trip is almost as important as what happens on the trip.

“Making sure the clients are happy with their trip actually starts while they’re on the trip,” says Kae Urai, Smiling Albino’s Operations Manager. “We are in constant contact with guides and hotels during the trip. We also make sure the clients know that the entire team is at their disposal if they need assistance. When the trip is over, we send the clients an online survey, and talk with the guides and driver to see what they thought were the highlights and where things could be elevated. That’s how we make incremental improvements each time.” 

This can include a multitude of things – good hotels gone off their game or restaurants that have changed their operating hours, beaches that have become too crowded, itineraries that are too rushed (or not rushed enough), etc. A trip log is created for each trip and shared with all staff members so that everyone is aware of it.

But while defining a ‘successful’ trip can vary from person to person, Kae says it’s based on several standard metrics. “Happy clients usually give good feedback, book multiple trips, or tell their friends to try us on their next trip. Other hallmarks of a generally successful trip are happy stakeholders – guides, drivers, and office staff. When you start to combine those things you can get a pretty good indication of how a trip went off.”

And of course we like to stay in touch with our clients long after the trip is done. The Smiling Albino newsletter goes out bi-monthly, and every once in awhile they might find a birthday card or postcard for no reason – just to say hi!

“One of our values is that we want our clients to feel they have been hosted by a family or friends on a Smiling Albino trip,” says Kae. “We make them feel they are special even after the trip is done. We want their friends to be jealous of their experience with us so that when their friends or colleagues ask for travel recommendations, the first name that comes to mind is Smiling Albino.” 

The post Behind the Scenes of a Smiling Albino Trip – Part 4 first appeared on Smiling Albino.