Quick update on tavel dates Dec 4 - approximately 17 Peru Dec 17 - Dec 27 Bolivia Dec 27 - Jan 15 2007 UK The rest are still approximates until we get to Cusco... Jan 16 - end Jan Tanzania end Jan to mid Feb Namibia Mid Feb to Mid March South Africa Mid March to Mid July Sri lanka to India to Nepal to China... read more

Since I left Malaysia at the end of August sporting a not very nicely cut growth of hair, it was not a difficult decision to let it grow out. As most women and some men know, finding a decent hairdresser with experience minus the pomp is not easy. The saloon may look impressive, the music hitting the nerves just right and the stylist, well, stylishly garbed... it does not mean that the one holding the scissors knows how to cut your hair to suit your face or manage your type of hair for that matter. Not everyone is a Ian Wright or an Andre Agassi who doesn't need to be in the mercy of x-blades. 2.5 months of growing it out, my mane began to resemble a rattan mop. So Quito the lucky city chosen has ... read more

General Impressions Arrived in Cuba on the 28th of September in the middle of the night. First introduction was the stern and smoking immigration supervisor standing behind his underling scrutinizing the chicca cina's passport and visa form. After barking out whether CC can speak english, she is told to fill up another form for entry. (Note: Malaysians, there is no need to purchase the USD15 visa before arrival in Cuba. Singaporeans, you have to - a Singaporean seemed surprised that he needed one but I think he brought up the topic to confirm whether he had been cheated of $15 or not ;o) ) Gringo's here, Gringo's there. Grande Gringo was immediately and incesstantly identified as a target for handouts of money, free drinks, potential cigar purchaser... generally, convertible dollar piggy bank. Cina on the ... read more

Progresso, a beach front area about 25 min by car or about 40 min by Bus north of Merida is a location with apparently good seafood. I headed there with Pablo (our first Mexican/US friend). It is a sleepy place with lots of potential (Being a Monday, it was dead with a capital D!). img=http://image7.bubbleshare.com/media/00/22/de/4e/4cf3c5026a35c5239ac7f02b4ccbd86af699b0f5/580x435/Progresso1_580x435.jpg Perhaps it was the wrong time to go but the stark sunlight brought out a lanscape that gives the impression that the local council have not tapped into this in a focused way. There were some nice private beachfront bungalows but for a strange reason, they were empty and looked abandoned. We contemplated life over a bottle of cerveza under the shade of some beach huts and after another bought img=http://image5.bubbleshare.com/media/00/22/de/ac/9a22ae166fb1... read more

Flight that Richy booked on the internet in Spanish whilst in Canada was boarded without a hitch ... *phew*! Yet more surprises... Mexico City must have one of the nicest, efficient domestic terminals in the developing world... one and a half hours later, we landed to 40 degC, 80% humidity - significantly hotter than high Mexico City (or as San would say: "Wah lau! hot until can die.... walking hot, sleeping hot, eating hot... everything picante!" She takes about 3 to 4 showers a day just to try and cool off!). Merida, Yucatan is the land of Haciendas (Old manufacturing communes), Quaint streets, Siestas, heaps of Mayan ruins (including the grand ChiChen-Itza and the elegant Uxmal) and what Richy came for .... CENOTES!!!!! Day 1/2 - 18-19/09/06 With all t... read more

14-17 Sept We were hoping to meet crocket and tubs on arrival but heard they were in Malaysia on holiday.... Rich´s first time to Miami, San´s second. We stayed in Lorainne Hotel for the 3 nights we were there and it does good deals off-season on weekdays (equivalent to staying in a hostel private room for 2). The little restaurant below the hotel, Siembra, serves a good mix of mexican, cuban and other Latino flavours and is highly recommended for at least one try. San reckoned South Miami is beginning to show her age. She continues to be a made-up tartlet of flashy clothes, big blings and loud sassy chatter but from 10 years since San last visited, the corners are starting to wrinkle out, colours are beginning to fade and a botox face-lift is ... read more