Day 2 of our Halong Bay cruise. The day starts (for some) with a Tai Chi class at 6.30 am. The old man goes, but an extra half hour in bed sounds like a much better idea to me. After breakfast we visit the ‘Cave of Surprises’ (Hang Sung Sot). It is an amazing series of caves with stalactites and stalagmites it varying shapes. Many of the formations are named after objects they resemble. There are Buddhas, animals and a huge penis illuminated in red. Visiting is quite an ordeal; it’s a 50 minute walk following a prescribed route of stairs and paths with hundreds and hundreds of tourists in a never ending chain. I’m not comfortable being underground, particularly with swarms of people between me and the exit, but I make it round. Once outside, ... read more

An early start today and a drive through the rush hour traffic, watching the Vietnamese going about their business. The roads (and pavements) are full of people carrying an array of goods on motorbikes. The parks are full of people working out; tai chi, martial arts, aerobics and walking backwards are all popular pursuits. When we finally board our flight, an hour behind schedule, I get into a debate with a Vietnamese man who seems to think my seat is not my seat if he’s already sitting in it. I hold firm – I’m not giving up a window seat without a fight. Eventually an air hostess intervenes as I am blocking the aisle. We arrive in Hanoi and go for lunch by Hoan Kiem Lake in a restaurant with a great view and rubbish food ... read more

Today; sightseeing seeing in Ho Chi Minh City. The little I know about Vietnam come from studying the War in politics classes (and from watching Miss Saigon). So after breakfast, we start by walking to the War Remnants Museum. It’s only a mile which doesn’t sound too onerous. But we have underestimated the insane heat and crazy motorbike drivers. It soon becomes clear that I don’t have the mental fortitude for crossing Vietnamese roads. Eventually I develop a routine – wait till the pedestrian light goes green, shut my eyes and cross. It doesn’t hugely affect my chances of dying and at least I can’t see what’s coming. Going to the War Remnants Museum straight after breakfast was a mistake. It’s a truly harrowing experience and keeping my fried eggs down is quite an effort. Outside ... read more

Our last day in Australia. After a morning doing chores, we set off on for a busy afternoon, combining sightseeing with trying to photobomb all the old man’s pictures. Adelaide is heaving. Apparently this has something to do with the crows versus the magpies. I have no idea what this means, but I’m guessing it has nothing to do with ornithology. We work our way towards the city centre, starting where Australians worship; St Peter’s Cathedral and the Adelaide Oval. Then the state library, which had some interesting exhibits on war and democracy and the Migration Museum. We stop for lunch at the food court in Rundle Mall. It’s bizarre that given dozens of options, so many people opt for KFC. We round things off in Victoria Square, venue of the Taste Australia festival. It sounds ... read more

We leave the coast road today and head north to the Barossa Valley, home of my favourite wine – Jacobs Creek. It’s a pretty drive through the vineyards and farms of the Adelaide Hills, through the quaint German town of Hahndorf, where we take a wander. Hahndorf was settled by German pioneers in 1834. They tried to conceal their Germaness due to persecution during WW1 but are trying to rediscover it again to boost tourism. Onwards on Route B34, branded the Epicurean Way. We are enticed by a large yellow cow into a cheese shop and purchase some very tasty goats Brie for lunch. On arrival in the Barossa Valley, our first point of call is, of course, Jacobs Creek, followed by Wolf Blass and then Penfolds. There are some heavy hitters around here. We check ... read more