Round the World in 90 days!

We managed to get out of Bangkok in one piece, as the traffic there is something to marvel. Our driver didn't say much, and really did a wonderful job in freaking us out with avoiding 3 or 4 collisions.

We arrived in Singapore and checking through customs the officer that checked our passports had to be a frustrated ninja as every stamp and movement of the paper and passports was done with great precision and 'ninja' abilities. Before I could blink twice he stamped my passport and thrusted the documents back into my hands. I was left nearly laughing but amazed to say the least. This guy takes his job very seriously - a little too seriosly!

Please excuse my 'Engrish' in this as we have tweaked our accent so that the asian's can understand us.

Singapore is much like the Gold Coast - very westernised and very expensive. Our hotel here was very central so we didn't feel the need to venture out to explore.

The next morning we boarded our cruise ship (Super Star Gemini) that took us to Ko Samui, Bangkok, Saigon, Danang & Hong Kong. Overall 10 nights and quite a nice cruise. It was a floating RSL club which took a bit getting used to. The oldies were very knowledgable and you had to be quick to beat them at getting to the food, shows, events and tours on time otherwise you missed out. By the end they were getting on my nerves as their flair for caution and grumbling about everything was grinding my patience. I mean we are all in line at the buffet and we have to wait for old Beatrice or Gertrude to figure out if she wanted Gouda or Cheddar cheese tonight. Its a flippin buffet take both and then make up your mind!

Anyways apart from the "jerries" the scenery was hot, humid, tropical and the smell of rice mixed with raw sewerage. In Ko Samui - we walked along the beach, I got a 2 hour massage for $8 whilst Jo swam. That was nice! Then Bangkok we stopped in at Pattaya beach for the afternoon and sat in a banana beach chair on the beach whilst a steady flow of thai 'retailers' walked past to sell you everything from dried squid to sunglasses, icecreams and fake jewellry. We then cruised for a couple of days to get to Ho Chi Mingh City (Saigon) where we cruised up the Saigon river and saw a traditional Vietnamese wedding. The next morning we decided to go it alone so we bartered with the taxi driver to get into town. Walked around the city for awhile and ate a Vietnamese pork roll. We then got on a Pedal cab ride which was hair raising and a great 'cultural experience' however they did rip us off and didn't take us to our ship. I was so mad after that. The next couple of days we cruised up to Danang and went to a UNESCO site - Hoi An which we saw an old Japanese bridge and Chinese temple, then rode in a small boat up the river to a pottery village where the kids kept blowing in potted whistles. Annoying - but cute! The last couple of days on the boat as we powered into Hong Kong Jo and I managed to get lots of sun and sleep. We weren't into the shows and being around people so we were happy to just be by ourselves and relaxing.

We are now in Hong Kong and it feels as though we are in a cloud as all around the city is covered in a 'fog'. We are so grateful for internet as on the ship it was non existent. We will be putting up some more photos soon - so check out Jo's myspace site when you get a chance.

HOpe you are doing well.