Good morning (from) VietNam!!! We had to say that, although Robin Williams is nowhere in sight! Another day, another adventure. Started with breakfast at the hotel (see pictures) and then on the bus........and what a day it has been. Hot and humid! (and many of you know how much I just love that........) BUT, I'm not complaining (much) because I know you are all sitting there feeling sorry for me, right? Lots to see from the bus along the way (check out the picture of the little piggies going to market).......interesting landscape from rice fields to farm yards to the Vietnamese version of "strip malls" (food vendors, scooter repair shops everywhere, etc.). First of all, such a major contrast from city to country. Our bus ride was 2 hours to the Mekong Delta river and we ... read more

Hi everyone! First off, Happy Birthday to you Diane Francisco!!!!! Don't know when I will be back on the blog, so I didn't want to miss that! We had an incredible evening last night! Arrived in Hong Kong, had a bit of quiet time in our room and then it was off for dinner. We left the hotel and went to the Peak Tram Station for an exciting funicular railway ascent to the top of Victoria Peak. Amazing! Breath-taking! Once off the tram, we headed into the Cafe Deco for cocktails and dinner. Wow! A sweeping spiral staircase impressively separates the restaurant's two levels. The seamless glass wall extends the entire length of the restaurant to reveal a view which can be seen from every aspect within. The outside walkway provides an excellent spot for picture ... read more

Hi everyone, (Barb, my room-mate Leona and I are still in awe at the fact that you used to babysit her children! What a small world indeed! The things I learn about my friends when I travel around the world!!!!) Wow. What an evening we had! We went to a famous restaurant for Shabu-Shabu. (It's essentially a fondue dinner concept, only instead of using oil to deep fry everything, you use a broth.) Dinner was Miso Soup, rice, Japanese pickles, and various items for the Shabu: beef, veggies, tofu, etc. Yum. Yum. Yum! You will see from the pictures that we had a ball! Then came the entertainment. Geisha girls entertained, and helped us with dinner as well. Then there was the Drum performance. Awesome. All of it! We had an opportunity to pose for pictures ... read more

Hi everyone, My goodness but your notes are fun to read!!! Keep 'em coming! Leona (my room mate) is enjoying them as much as I am!!! We had a blast today, touring Kyoto. So many new experiences. So much to see and learn. We were at temples and pavilions and the textile factory today. Saw a kimono fashion show. Beautiful!!!! Had an excellent lunch, even though much of it was strange and new.....but very tasty!!! Found my way into the kitchen (was thinking of you, Louise!!!!). Met up with some school girls at the Golden Pavilion and got a fun picture with them. And......did a one-hour workout in the pool too! Just getting ready for dinner now, which is in the revolving restaurant at the top of the hotel. What fun. I'm a lucky, lucky gal!!! ... read more

Good morning to all of you! Thank you for your comments and messages. I love hearing from you! So.......let me just say this.......THIS is THE way to travel, my friends! Wow! When we left the airport hotel yesterday morning in Toronto, I expected the shuttle to be taking us to one of the Terminals at the Toronto airport.......and then I was planning on heading to Starbucks, so I could begin my journey with a Chai latte (my favorite!). No........the shuttle made an unexpected turn, and we headed to a separate terminal where all the private planes/jets are parked. Wow. We were taken into a special terminal that was just for our group and our private plane was waiting on the tarmac. No lineups, no security, no hassles. Bags were loaded and we were on our way, ... read more