education | Smiling Albino

Is Travel the Best Education?

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 13:04:52 +0000

Is Travel the Best Education?

9 june 2021

Most of us remember summer holidays as kids: no school, time with friends, running around having new experiences. Many of us actually learned more valuable lessons from those days than we did in school. Wouldn’t it be great if those days could go on endlessly? Wouldn’t it be great if holidays were our education?

It’s not hard to find plenty of families who are doing just that, families who have recognized the intrinsic value of doing versus reading about. Smiling Albino has been lucky enough to have hosted several of these families over the past few years, and it’s always been an honor and a pleasure to see how much families – especially children – can learn on even the most mundane day in a new culture and country. We take a particular interest in helping kids learn about their trip on a level that adults can’t match.

For many parents however, the thought of taking their kids out of school to travel is an anathema to actually getting educated, but there are plenty of arguments to the contrary. Whether it’s a week, a month, a year, or longer, the value that traveling brings to a young mind simply cannot be overstated. Of course, we travel for a living – it’s both our source of inspiration as well as income – so you’re forgiven for thinking we have a biased opinion, so don’t take our word for it.

Don't Take Our Word For It

Take the Miller family from the Edventure Project. They say, “Is there any better education than travel? Having been thrown into the back of a van and schlepped all over North America myself as a child, I can answer heartily: “No!” There is no shortage of learning taking place when we’re on the road. History, Geography, Art, Literature, Music, and Languages are no brainers. There is no clear line between “school time” and “rest of life” in our family. Life is learning.”

Over at Family On Bikes, the Vogel family mentions one instance where it all came together. “It was one of those moments when you realize you’re doing the right thing by taking the kids out to travel the world. Sitting around the campfire, sleeping under the stars… time to talk… conversations drift… and all of a sudden, you find you are in the middle of a most incredible educational experience! Which one was my favorite? The night we camped near the Grand Canyon and our conversation drifted to nuclear reactions and nuclear bombs. It wasn’t long before we were talking about energy sources… and the need for renewable energy… and finally, how we could solve all the world’s problems.”

Can our family do it?

The most important thing to consider is that a child’s mind is like a sponge, and every word, sound, experience, color, smell, conversation, taste, and action they partake in is sucked up and processed. Problem solving is done within the framework of a new language and culture, leading to solutions that would not be possible in a traditional learning environment. How many children sitting in a classroom back home know what a rainstorm on the Burmese border smells like? How can the experience of painting a picture in art class compare to going on a walk with Hmong hill tribe children to photograph a waterfall?

Perhaps the folks at Our Travel Lifestyle said it best: “It’s been amazing to have the time to appreciate how effortlessly he soaks up new knowledge regardless of whether it’s how to add and subtract, geography, obscure facts about dinosaurs with hugely complicated names that only children and paleontologists can pronounce, or the workings of a Buddhist temple. Watching your child accept children of all cultures and backgrounds, without preconceived ideas or prejudice is something every adult should take the chance to see and learn from.”

Of course, we realize that it’s not possible – or even desirable – for parents to take off on a round-the-world trip, but that’s okay. A week is better than nothing. Two weeks is better than one week. The important thing is that your child at least has the opportunity to see things through a different lens. And who knows where that might lead them?

Need some help with family-friendly adventure ideas?

Don't hesitate to contact our team for up-to-date family travel planning around Southeast Asia.

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The post Is Travel the Best Education? first appeared on Smiling Albino.

Albino Smiles – March 2014 Edition

smilingalbino — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 13:00:22 +0000

Doing the Impossible

Until a cool and overcast Thursday in Oxfordshire, England, it was considered impossible for an athlete to run a mile in under four minutes. Sportsmen had been trying for decades to break the time barrier and some medical professionals of the day declared it an unreachable milestone.

On May 6th, 1954, the impossible suddenly became possible when Roger Bannister ran a mile in three minutes, 59.4 seconds.

When asked how he had done it, Bannister is alleged to have said that he simply visualized his objective, and had done it repeatedly in his own mind so many times that it was a certainty that his mind and body would be up to the task on race day.

That’s how we operate at Smiling Albino. When we design an itinerary for you, we don’t consider just what is possible, we visualize what the perfect experience should be, and then find ways to make it happen. It’s this careful blend of risk-taking and hard work that allows us turn great trips into unforgettable memories.

Some of our greatest trip moments and experiences have come from exploring imaginative new options in the pursuit of an innovative idea that we just “had” to make happen. Not accepting the ordinary and pushing for perfect execution sometimes results with our guests thinking we have achieved the impossible. On occasion, we have done just that.

Daniel Fraser,
Smiling Albino Adventurer-in-Chief

Adventure Highlights:

Stunning views are always at hand in the Himalayas.

Springtime in Nepal

March – May are one of the best times of year to visit Nepal, as the wet season is a few months away, and the coldest days of winter are already gone. In early spring – March and April – you can also see the flowers in full bloom. It’s a great time to go for a hike, or even a ride on a classic Enfield Motorcycle through the Himalaya’s.

Our hand designed trips range from premiere properties, to tea house stays, all with a stunning backdrops. We can serve up high-intensity rafting, trekking and biking pursuits, introduce you to local characters, amazing venues and everything in between. Whether you are looking for an epic day in the saddle or a comfy chair and a copy of The Ascent of Rum Doodle in hand, we’ve got you covered. What are you doing this spring? We can personalize your travel.

What’s Going On:

Watch the Bangkok Street Food Episode to see some of the Smiling Albino Office team on air!

The Hairy Bikers Asian Adventure Show begins!

Smiling Albino knows Thai street food – and now so do The Hairy Bikers! We were hired to help Si and David with their Bangkok street food episode, and we took them to all of our favourite spots. Watch their show of the BBC Two to get an inside look at the street food scene – or call us and we can arrange a night of scrumptious discovery and dining.

Watch on Youtube! Watch on www.BBC.co.uk

Temples in Bagan!

Bagan’s Archaeological Gems

If you thought Angkor Wat was stunning than you need to get to Bagan! It’s no secret that Myanmar is getting a lot of attention, and the incredible archeological gems of Bagan is simply a must do on any visit there.

Want a quick comparison to something you’re already familiar with? Check out our latest Blog post “Rustic Chic Bagan vs Classic Siem Reap”, talking about the differences between Bagan and Angkor Wat.

Explore Myanmar on a 12 day trip with us. Check it out!

New up and coming must see attraction in Cambodia!

Phare – The Cambodian Circus

In Siem Reap a new up and coming must see attraction is the modern and unique Cambodian Circus. The beginnings of the circus started 20 years ago after the Khmer Rouge regime when a group of young men found healing through the art of dance and performing. View the official Phare Cambodian Circus site.

The show depicts stories from everyday life and beliefs in Cambodia through inspiring dance, contortion and balancing acrobatic acts. There is many other attractions nearby, we can arrange your tour travel. Inquire here.

Phare Ponleu Selpak is now branching out into schools to educate the poor in the area and giving them skills to earn a wage and come out of poverty. Help their project.

Connect With Smiling Albino!

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Contact: Get a hold of us any time.

The post Albino Smiles – March 2014 Edition first appeared on Smiling Albino.

education | Smiling Albino

Is Travel the Best Education?

Don't Take Our Word For It

Can our family do it?

Need some help with family-friendly adventure ideas? Don't hesitate to contact our team for up-to-date family travel planning around Southeast Asia.

featured thailand posts

Albino Smiles – March 2014 Edition

Doing the Impossible

Adventure Highlights:

What’s Going On:

Connect With Smiling Albino!

Need some help with family-friendly adventure ideas?

Don't hesitate to contact our team for up-to-date family travel planning around Southeast Asia.