Paris. As we said before it was a gruweling trip. 21 Hours in all. We did snooze in the plane on the long stretch, but we were absolutely stuffed. Arrived at 6.30 in Paris landing at the Hotel at 7.30 a.m. The staff was really terrific, they made a room ready so we could move in. We had a week's washing to do because of the hundred procent humidity in Vietnam. We used the laundrette we had used before. The whole procedure took two hours. We than did some grocery shopping, found a cheap electric kettle, to make coffee for the coffee pot that is travelling with us Ha ha Back to the Hotel and against all good intentions both slept for three hours. We had a nice meal at a restaurant we ate before, nice ... read more

A two and a half hour flight took us from Saigon to Hanoi. The Hotel we were was beautiful on the outside but a bit old on the inside. We had to confirm our tour for tomorrow, that was 8 a.m. Internet in the Lobby only, not good. We noticed that things were more expensive here as in the South. We were picked up on time, it was very hot and humid. We had the company of a couple from Brisbane, very nice people. The travel went to the Mosoleum of Ho Chi Minh, who they call the Father. Our guide was absolutely communistish and said the North was the best. No camera aloud in the mosoleum or drinks or food or bags. We were a bit worried about our equipment so we walked around it. ... read more

Now something about the country Vietnam and it.s people through the eyes of us tourists. The North is still more restrictive, rural and older than the south. It.s people though are amazing. Friendly, courtious and although poor, because wages are low, very happy. Respect for the elderly, lovely with thweir children. it is summer school holidays, a lot of country people are visiting. They want to know where we come from and have their picture taken with us. All this with lots of laughing and gigling. Women do some sort of cooking in the street, customers sit around her on the footpadth eating, sitting on mini stools, very mini maybe half a foot high. They do a roaring trade. Not rich enough for cars. They drive a sort of scooter and are like a nasty mosquito. ... read more

The sixth hour tour took us first to China town, which is a whole sale trade area. Small people carying their own size in bales or goods. Mini restaurants where the owner sits on the floor, with his Customers where all sorts of dishes are offered. When a visit to the THIEM HAU temple. It is dedicated to the Goddess of Seafarers. We than had lunch at a typical Vietnamese restaurant and had the traditional dish of Phoh noodle soup with chopsticks mind you. And .... we managed to do it. Than followed the war remnance museum, which made you remember what a gruwsome war it was. The photographs of the agent Orange damage, makes you shudder. Outsside they display some American war planes and tanks o.a. a Chinoock helicopter. This where we got into trouble. ... read more

Hello Everyone. We are on the move again. Most of our Family and Friends will receive,regular updates of where and what we are doing. We hope you will enjoy it. Soon we are leaving our shores and visit Vietnam. There we visit a couple of places of this beautiful country, we heard so much about. We won't have Vietnamese money. We are told to do this in the country, to much paper money. For $50 Aud you obtain millions of Vietnamese Dong. We are a bit worried about the food. It is mainly fish, we are no fish eaters but no doubt there will be beef and chicken. We know they eat dog as well, so why worry. We would like for our friends to stop the emails we always enjoyed till we arrive back home. ... read more