Hotels are an integral part of a trip. Finding one that suits your budget and style can really make or break a holiday. In a day and age when the word 'boutique' has been over and misused, what really makes a boutique hotel great? We chat with David Lees, owner of Ariyasom Villa, a wonderful boutique hotel in the heart of Bangkok about his many years working in the hotel business and what he thinks makes a good boutique hotel, great.
written by smilingalbino
Southeast Asian elephants have suffered severe territorial encroachment over the last few decades and their numbers are declining quickly. We speak with John Roberts, the Director of Elephants at the Anantara Golden Triangle about their plight and future in the region.
written by smilingalbino
Lending a hand, volunteering and 'helping out' while on vacation in SE Asia can be tricky. There are multiple layers to actually doing good and there are some important things to keep in mind before setting out to do so. Smiling Albino Team members Scott Coates and Greg Jorgensen chat and share some of their recommendations on the subject on this edition of Planet Asia Podcast.
written by smilingalbino
Traveling in unfamiliar territory can be a challenge, let alone how to try and speak with locals in languages you don't understand, but it's possible. We chat with David Long, a longtime resident in Thailand who runs the Thai Language Department at the AUA in Bangkok, along with other language programs, about how to best approach speaking and interacting with locals while traveling.
written by smilingalbino
The most efficient (and fun) way to explore SE Asian cities is by local transport. Scott Coates and Greg Jorgensen chat about their experience using motorcycles, boats, three-wheeled tuk-tuks and other crafts to navigate some of the regions most exciting centers.
written by smilingalbino
We chat with Janet Chan, the Assistant Director of Sales at Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, about the exciting hotel scene at Siem Reap, Cambodia.
written by smilingalbino
The tastiest food in Thailand is without a doubt streetfood. Visitors are often apprehensive about trying it though, but with a bit of knowledge there's no reason you shouldn't dive-in. Get the lowdown on how to approach dishes sure to dazzle.
written by smilingalbino
Prajya (Phil) Aura-ek is a young, hip, modern Thai guy who entered the monkhood and shares his story of doing so with us.
written by smilingalbino
Happy kids while traveling equals happy parents. While SE Asia is quite an exciting and different traveling destination, it's a wonderful place for families. Smiling Albino team members Scott and Greg share some useful tips on how to make a trip to the region tops for everyone in the family.
written by smilingalbino
Canadian David Lemke didn't intend to become a professional photographer or live in Vietnam, but both happened. He shares interesting stories about he found his eye for shooting photos and ended up living in Hanoi.
written by smilingalbino
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