The post Nine Weird and Wonderful Wats Near Bangkok first appeared on Smiling Albino.

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

It might not be surprising, but we here at Smiling Albino think that a little bit of adventure should be included in every bit of life. From the places you go to the food you eat, why keep doing it the same way? So, when you’re about to begin a really big adventure – like marriage – why not kick things off with a bang?

Not so long ago a honeymoon meant an international air ticket and plenty of room service, but this is the twenty-first century, lovers, and things have changed! Over the past half century, the average age at which people get married in the west has risen – in 1960 in it was 21, and in 2010 it was 28. Add that international travel is more popular and accessible than ever, and what we get are newlyweds who have likely already done a good amount of traveling, and need something more unique.

This is where an adventure honeymoon can be just the ticket. However, it’s more than just stepping out of the comfort zone for some cool pictures, and of course, no two couples define ‘adventure’ the same way.

An adventurous honeymoon doesn’t necessarily have to be anything like going over a waterfall in a kayak or pushing a spouse out of an airplane (with a parachute, we mean).  Some couples might prefer a jungle hike, bathing an elephant, or learning how to ride a motorcycle along the Burmese border – every couple is different. Heading into – and conquering – a challenge together can provide a huge sense of accomplishment, and even help set the tone for the relationship to follow.

[Tweet “An adventure honeymoon can be just the ticket!”]

Of course, every trip with Smiling Albino is customized, but in offering unique and adventurous honeymoons, extra steps are taken to craft something that truly fits with a couple’s personality. Of course, if you know anything about how we do business, just because something is adventurous doesn’t mean it must be austere – luxury is most definitely a part of the package. After all, this is supposed to be adventure with comfort, not trial by fire. We go out of the way to place an extra emphasis on crafting something where the challenge is the reward, the journey is the memory.

Indeed, overcoming barriers and working through new situations together is a pretty apt metaphor for a successful marriage, right? We say, if a new couple survives a challenging, adventurous, one-of-a-kind honeymoon, their marriage is more likely to be one that is happy, enduring, and filled with positive energy!

Don’t hesitate to contact our team for up-to-date Adventure Honeymoon ideas in Southeast Asia. Click here for inquiries.

The post Adventure Honeymoons Done Right first appeared on Smiling Albino.

These days it’s not unusual to see Christmas decorations going up right around the time the Halloween decorations come down. As the malls start playing carols and trees start going up, those in western countries might think they have a clear monopoly on the celebration of Christmas. But maybe not.

It may surprise you, but some of the most colourful and over-the-top Christmas celebrations you can find are in Asia. Although most people think of lush mountain treks, steamy markets, or sunbaked sand and blue water, truth is, many of Asia’s biggest cities – especially those that cater to tourists – give Christmas their full attention.

For westerners, Christmas is a holiday borne out of religion and nurtured by family, travel, and special traditions that include everything from food to music to mistletoe. But for Asians – most of whom are Buddhist – Christmas is about lights, sound, colour, decoration, fun – and not a small amount of photos.

Of course, for westerners from colder climes, the most shocking thing might be standing in the shadow of a palm tree while framing the perfect shot of a (fake) Christmas tree, all the while trying to ignore how hot it is.

In cities with a large concentration of tourist-friendly malls, Christmas in Asia is inescapable. In Singapore, shoppers can spend literally hours walking from mall to interconnected mall without ever stepping foot outside. In Bangkok, Central World proudly displays an outdoor Christmas landscape that includes a tree over a dozen meters tall. In Ho Chi Minh City, the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral and area around the Central Post Office are especially nice to wander and take pictures.

The great thing about it is the quaint innocence with which it all goes down. Christmas carols are played, but more for their peppy tone than any lyrical significance. Fake snow is sometimes sprayed into window corners, but it’s not really clear why when it’s 32°C. And like we mentioned earlier – you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone not taking selfies with the lights and decorations. For instance, one prominent display along Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Road this year includes hundreds of 3-foot high Snoopy statues with Santa hats. Why? Because Christmas in Asia.

Not enough? How about this – just a few weeks ago Bangkok set a world record for having the largest amount of elves gather in a single place! It took 1,792 kids to do it, but it was done, and even certified by Guinness.

[Tweet “Christmas in Asia: carols, snoopy and record-setting elf gatherings”]

Sure, if you get away from the malls you’ll probably struggle to find any candy canes or star-topped pine trees, but if it’s carols and holiday cheer you want, Asia sure knows how to put on a show. And if you tire of the merriment, the beach is never too far away.

The team at Smiling Albino wishes you all very happy holidays, safe travels and lots of festive cheer!

The post Christmas in Asia first appeared on Smiling Albino.

Everyone loves a vacation that allows them to explore a new country and new culture. What really makes a trip memorable is getting to know the country at a closer and more personal level than the average tourist just passing through. Quite often many kind-hearted souls endeavor to do this by paying to join programs that place them at an orphanage, school, or hospital. It’s often called ‘voluntourism’ but you may be surprised to hear that despite the good intentions, paying to volunteer can sometimes come with unintended negative consequences.

The question of paying to help people is a sensitive one, and there are plenty of valid – and sometimes angry – arguments for each side of the debate. Some posit that providing assistance in any form is never a bad thing, and say that as long as you’re making a difference to someone, where’s the harm? Others ask why one should pay Company A to send you to Organization B when you can just give directly to Organization B? A quick search on Twitter and Facebook reveal thousands of opinions from all over the world.

But despite the debate, voluntourism is big business, and there are plenty of companies making a pretty penny offering their services. So why do so many people do it? The most common reason is that it’s often easier and safer than doing it on your own. When you’re in a foreign country you can’t just walk around until you find a place to volunteer at. Language and cultural barriers are a problem, and your average Cambodian orphanage doesn’t have a slick website with Google Map directions and English-speaking support staff to help you get started. Paying a placement company provides the means and the support to help you help others. At least… it should.

So if you do opt to go this route, there are a few questions you should ask first:

How much will I pay, and where does the money go?
If you’re paying someone $2,000 to spend a weekend teaching English, that sounds a bit fishy to us. Do a bit of thinking about what the actual costs should be, and use that as a baseline to gauge what type of program you’re paying for. Also…

…what type of support is offered?
Any decent placement company should offer a healthy menu of support and coordination services. This should include things like airport pickup, a local contact for the duration of your stay that can answer any questions, and give assistance with things like finding accommodation, directions, emergency contact information, and orientation at your volunteer location.

[Tweet “Voluntourism: 5 questions you should ask yourself first…”]

What type of reputation does my placement organization have?
Do your research. Any company with a decent program in place should proudly display positive comments from previous volunteers.

How long are you staying for?
This isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, but generally speaking, spending a few days helping out will have a negligible impact. The time and manpower it takes to train new volunteers to get up to speed might not be worth it if you’re just going to leave a few days later. Try to spend as long as you can helping out. Get to know the place, the people, and the culture.

Most importantly – who are you doing this for?
Let’s face it, everyone likes to get a pat on the back, and those usually get generously handed out to people who help those less fortunate. There are plenty of cases where foreigners were seen as helping someone simply to tell people they did it, or to get a boost in karma by posting pictures on Facebook. The honest truth is, if you’re not there to help others, you’re there to help yourself. Be honest – who will benefit more from your time there? If the answers isn’t “them” then rethink your trip.

As we said, there are two sides to every story, and every organization that takes money to place volunteers is different. While it does take time, effort, and skill to run a successful placement program, this has to balance with visible and meaningful results. Your heart is in the right place – just make sure your effort is, as well!

The post Voluntourism first appeared on Smiling Albino.