Happily home

It was a wonderful trip though the bus, four trains, and two flights to get home today have left us exhausted. Happy to be home with excellent memories of Asia.

Singapore!

We took metro out to MacRitchie Resevoir and although we'd planned on a 1 hr hike, it turned into a humid but scenic 3.5hour one! Checked out Clark's Quay and Chinatown. Impressed with how clean and organized the city is and that all speak English. Check out Park Royal!

Thai Tigers

Amazing day at the Spiracha Tiger zoo where we fed and held tigers, rode elephants and fed crocs. Colin even starred in the elephant show!

One night in Bangkok

Despite the heat and intense humidity, we saw loads of sights in Bangkok. We toured with a local woman and saw the Grand palace, two temples - Wat Pho and Wat Arun temple of the Dawn) and took a canal boat ride along the Bangkok canal. We saw the Emerald Buddha and the reclining Buddha - 45 metres long plated in gold). We are staying in a guest house in Central Bangkok and just enjoyed an authentic Thai dinner.

A day at sea

Enjoying a relaxing day at sea en route to Thailand!

Cu Chi tunnels

Today we took a bus into the Cu Chi tunnels outside of Saigon, Vietnam. The tunnels were used by the Viet Cong forces in the Vietnam war. We were amazed with the inventive yet cruel traps they created. The three levels of 250km of underground tunnels that took 20 years to create were impressive...but cramped!

Da Nang, Vietnam

We hired a guide for the day and have enjoyed lots to see in and around Da Nang including China beach where US soldiers relaxed during the Vietnam war, a marble statue manufacturer, marble mountain where much of Vietnam's marble is from, and the ancient town of Hoi An. It was amazing to see the silk process from start to finish including the worms, cocoons, spinning and looms.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

We have enjoyed our first two days in Viet Nam. We took an overnight ship in Ha Long bay and were awed by the scenery - fully deserving of it's ranking in the seven natural wonders of the world. The ship slept twenty so we met travellers from Europe and S Africa and enjoyed the local cuisine well prepared by the crew. We kayaked off the ship and checked out some impressive caves.

Hong Kong heights and Stanley Market

We went to the IFC building where we got guest access to the library of currency so we could check out the views of central Hong Kong from the 55th floor. Then we took a taxi along the winding coastal roads to Stanley where we wandered the markets and found a few bargains. Pleased that 5 fit in taxis here!

Hike up Victoria Peak

Up early and walked to Star Ferry which we took across from Kowloon to Hong Kong Central. We walked then climbed up Victoria Peak which had some similarities to the Grouse Grind. Great view from top and fun riding the funicular down again.

Arrived in Hong Kong!

After a 13+ hour flight we arrived in Hong Kong. Took the airport express train then two subways. When we came up onto Argyle Street to begin the hunt for our guest house we were wowed by the light, sight, sounds and smells! Took a while to find guest house on busy sidewalks and hectic cross walks. Knew it was a deal to get a pad for 5 for $130/pm so no worries that it's minimal. Checked out the night markets with loads of knock-off deals to be had.