It seems a long time since we added an entry to this blog - but then it's tricky to write a travel blog entry when there's been no travel. That's not to say there hasn't been thought devoted to travelling - South Africa to see Di, 50th birthday celebrations in Bunyol and Rome, Eastern Europe - they're all on the possible agenda. But Rarotonga, in just under a week is booked and paid for and we can't wait! This time next week we'll be there. The clocks here go forward tonight, signalling the end of summer. Today I bought snorkelling gear! Soon...... read more

This is a retrospective entry, as we are back in NZ now, but we need to finish what we started to have a complete record. We had Vivien and Alan to put up with on our Mekong Delta trip - as well as 'Spain' (Marcos from Madrid and Virginia - formerly from Argentina, but now living in Madrid). After an initial drive, we boarded a junk with very comfy bamboo lounging chairs. A coconut candy manufacturer was our first stop. The industrial revolution has still not quite reached this place, as we watched the various mixtures being heated over fires fuelled by coconuts, then cut and packaged by hand. Incidentally, the candy was good. We were picked up by two smaller boats. Kiwis on board the first, 'Spain' and our guide on the other. Our rowers ... read more

Hi all - We are just back at the hotel after a rather boring day - riding elephants, being calmed in a Buddhist temple (including beautiful gardens), roller coasting down to a lovely waterfall and visiting a minority village and school run by a lovely volunteer teacher who loves her job. Today's adventures were courtesy of Easy Rider - we were pillion passengers on motorbikes out into a spotless countryside sorrounded by forrested mountains and clean lakes under blue sky :-) What a delight to be in fresh air away from tourists!!!! And to top it off, a magnificent lunch with our guides. Our elephant was called Lo and she was 30-years-old. Her handler was gentle with her and gave her time off to find some sweet grass as she made easy work of lugging her ... read more

Hi All, Rather than catching a jolting train or a non-sleeping bus for 12 hours, we managed to get a flight from Hoi An to Nha Trang. Luxury... This is a 'beach bum' city of 315 200. We thought it might be a bit tacky but are pleasantly surprised. We were also worried that our US$12 hotel might be a bit rough, but it is just perfect - clean, bright, fresh air and close to cafes and the beach. Health Report: TC's cold is gone. LV's bug is behaving pretty much (fingers crossed for no more relapses). Trace - must have been that chicken, cos we haven't eaten dog... that we are aware of! We walked along the beach - less rubbish than other places - and we plan to eat some of the delicious-looking crustaceans ... read more

Much has happened since our last post. The overnight train (luxury class apparently) back from Sapa to Hanoi was as bad as the first. I guess at least we were mentally prepared this time, but we weren't ready for the 4.30 a.m. arrival back to the dark shuttered streets of Hanoi. There was the odd light where people were sitting, eating a very early breakfast. We caught a taxi into the Old Quarter and were fortunate to find a friendly cafe open. At about 7 we were able to get into our old Vietfun Hotel where they let us leave our bags. Hanoi had woken up by now and it reinvigorated us. We wandered round the lake front and watched the locals exercising... fascinating. We caught the train to Ninh Binh - with the locals. It ... read more