Arrived in the Whitsunday islands after a very long journey. We left Kota Kinabalu early on Tuesday morning and flew down to Singapore via Kuching. We then had a 7 hour stop over before we caught the flight from Singapore to Brisbane. Brand new plane which always helps the confidence, a bit bumpy in places but was so tired and trying to sleep that it didn’t seem too bad. Arrived in Brisbane and then had a couple of hours wait before we could take the plane up to Hamilton Island. Overcast when we arrived and had been raining. Met the skipper, Jeff, got some basic provisions, there are white cockatoos all over the place, locals don’t like them as they trash everything, any way off we went. Overnighted in a bay called Cid Harbour. Turtles popping ... read more

Well, have a lot of catching up to do. Fortunately I can update this whilst at the airport waiting to travel on to Cambodia. We left Hue and drove to Hoi An via Danang. Again lots of sights to see. Ducks in panniers stuck on the side of a moped going to market. Loads of paddy fields with mainly women planting the rice. Apparently they plant it and when the shoots have grown to seedlings they have to lift them all out and plant them in another field so they don't get some sort of rot. A huge amount of effort, the women are up to their knees in mud and water, it is very hot and sticky so they all wear the coolie hats. Not for me. We had to go across a mountain range, ... read more

Hi Things didn't get off to a great start , taxi didn't turn up, Al had to ring them to remind them, got to the airport 1/2 hour late. Checked in, full flight, gate opens at 9.40 so we rushed round the shops picking up a few bits and bobs, raising the WorldPoints ATV. Looked at the board again delayed till 11.45, great!! Engine problem, just the sort of thing I didn't need to know as I hate flying at the best of times. They gave us food voucher which didn't bode very well so off we trotted for a glass of vino. Another stroll round to see the ground staff , still not sure when it will be going. Eventually we got off at 3pm, a mere 4 hour delay. This definitely meant that we ... read more