The 4th of November saw us on the Gatwick Express Train heading to the airport for our flight to Helsinki. Having had a railway strike the day before and the whole of London at a stand still, we were very fortunate that it was all system go for us to make our 3pm flight. We had booked our flight to Helsinki thinking that we would make our way to St Petersburg from there but, with the Russian Visa proving way too difficult to organise without joining a tour group, we decided to give it a miss. Maybe another time. We arrived in Helsinki, and as we have found everywhere, things just seem to work. We were on a bus to the city within 20 mins of landing. So much more organised than anything we have Australia. ... read more

Laos....well what can we say, we had heard lots of stories about what a beautiful place it was, and how it was a favourite South East Asian country for many, and, after visiting it, we would agree, it truly is a wonderful place. The people are lovely, the scenery beautiful and the fruit shakes something else. The border crossing from Cambodia was one of the easier so far, we didn't even have to carry our bags across, and this time we only got hit for $2.00 extra for the stamp. Pretty cheap really as we had heard that you could be strung for a lot more. No, it is not corruption, we like to think that the officials work on commission! Just over the border we hopped onto a long boat to Don Det, an Island ... read more

Well another month has passed, and we now find ourselves in Cambodia. We had originally thought that we would stay another three months Teaching in Vietnam but the old itchy feet were taking hold again, so we decided to hit the road. We really did enjoy our time in Nha Trang, the Teaching was a challenge at times, but also very rewarding. Towards the end I started teaching children 4-12 years old and it was good fun but took lots of energy. We really tried to get involved with the local kids whilst there and had several outings with them. One Sunday we spent the afternoon with a lot of Environmental students cleaning up a local beach, which earned us some very strange looks from the locals, between us we managed to fill about 3 dozen ... read more

Same Same but Different.... that's how to describe our life here in Nha Trang Central Coast Vietnam. Perfect one day and just as perfect the next. This is such a pretty place and we are so pleased that we decided to leave Hanoi behind. Nha Trang is on the South China Sea and is surrounded on three sides by mountains that go right to the sea. There are several small Islands off the coast, one big one that protects Nha Trang from big seas, and another slightly smaller Island called Vinpearl. Vinpearl has been developed by the Russians, and has a Resort, its own beach and the best Water Park, Amusement Arcade, rides and Aquarium. Vinpearl is linked to the mainland by a 3 klms long cable car which is at the southern end of the ... read more

Well another week has passed, and we have but more miles under our belts. After leaving Lijang our journey took us through some more beautiful countryside, where as the previous leg we had travelled over mountains this time we headed through the valleys. The countryside was very pretty with the fields all laid out with Canola, broadbeans and wheat. Everything here is so tidy, even the fields!!! The farmers seem to work very hard with little or no mechanicial help, just the occassional water buffalo. The roads and lanes still continue to be lined with the most beautiful trees, some just breaking into bloom. We arrived in the old town of Dali early afternoon and stayed at a great hostel run by a guy from Melbourne. We were very spoilt, our own room with ensuite all ... read more