In 2007, an international team of researchers including Dr. Damian Evans established through their Greater Angkor Project that Angkor had been the largest pre-industrial city in the world providing for around 0.1% of the entire world’s population. To support this, Angkor created a complex water management system to store and disperse water throughout the extreme dry and wet seasons.

One of our discoveries is ‘The Secret Lake’, a natural reservoir that formed when the Angkorians built the East Baray. It’s a beautiful body of water at the base of Phnom Bok a small hill, providing sanctuary for many breeds of birds, small mammals and fish.

For those who want to get away from the crowds and out into nature, while still discovering hidden temples and learning about the ancient water management systems, there are a variety of activities to engage in around this area such as hiking, cycling and kayaking, as much or as little as you like. A major benefit of this area is the Secret Lake is only about a 20 minute drive from Siem Reap, making for a perfect half-day excursion.

Of course, it may not stay secret for long, particularly after this splendid blog, but at the moment, our guests have this lake to themselves besides a fisherman or two, flocks of birds and the odd herd of buffalo grazing along the banks. It’s a refreshing reprieve from the growing crowds of visitors at Angkor’s main sites.

Imagine a short bike ride or hike along the walls of the East Baray, through a pagoda and small villages where you can meet families and get an understanding of how they live. Smell and hear the forest and small cultivated plots of land along the way with the breeze in your face. Here, you will also discover remnants of the Angkorian hydrology infrastructure that allowed the empire to flourish for 500 years. At the end of the bike ride or hike, kayaks will be waiting for you at the edge of the lake. Paddle across to Prasat Tor, a 10th century temple hidden in a patch of dense forest where your picnic and a bottle of wine will be waiting. We can even have Dr. Evans or other prominent Angkor archaeologists join you to give you an in-depth appreciation of what you’re experiencing.

To thoroughly enjoy the beauty, nature and hydraulic designs of Angkor beyond the main sites, this is a fantastic half-day trip demonstrating experiential travel at its best. Enquire about our Angkor experiences here.

The post The Secret Lake of Angkor first appeared on Smiling Albino.

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:

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:

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

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!

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.