Phu Quoc

The closest port in Vietnam to Phu Quoc Island is Rach Gia. We arrived on the bus in good spirits, found our hotel, but nature let us know something was up by starting to rain. Not many backpackers about, but wouldn't you know it, no seats on the ferry! Rach Gia isn't the prettiest of places, and the hotel receptionist told us 'no hope', but I donned my coat and headed into the storm on a mission. Maps of Vietnamese towns are not always the best of quality, or indeed accuracy. I got quite wet looking for the right place, but it was worth it. I managed to get the last two tickets.

The next day dawned bright and early. The ferry ride was pleasant enough, apart from say the woman next to me who threw up the WHOLE time (2 hours). We managed to get a bus then motorbike transport. The road was appalling. Nothing but gooey mud churned by bikes and rain. Slow and steady pace was all that was possible. I heard a squeak and turned around to see Tash's bike on its side. Mud everywhere. A stream flowed over the path to the hotel. Tash's quite restrained response was 'this island had better be @#&%ing worth it'

Despite the colour of the water (coutesy of the monsoon), and the rubbish littering the beach, Phu Quoc Island was a great interlude. The 'Beach Club' (we highly recommend this little gem) was small and just brilliant. Food awesome and the beer cold. Made everything well worth it. We were sad to leave. There is much to explore, although we didn't get out that much. You must go, but wait for the dry season.........

Vietnam - Welcome to SE Asia

After another truly wonderful overnight 12 hour flight (I have never seen so many movies in my life!), and a short jump we landed in Ho Cho Minh City, Vietnam. And a big shock from Europe it was too. Its hot, its humid, its cheap and its the middle of the monsoon, making it wet too.

The reunification palace in the city is quite a surreal place to wander around. Its a great piece of architecture, grand and open. There are replica tanks in the grounds (the ones that smashed through the gates). We really liked it. The War Remnants Museum was a great experience too, even if they do leave you feeling a little physically sick. The Cu Chi tunnels were squeezy and hot, and portrayed by the locals in an odd fashion. A bit like 'we were this little oppressed people, weren't we so great at using ingenuity and traps to defend ourselves'. When in reality they had Russian AK47s. Don't get me wrong, the Americans did some utterly, utterly despicable things, but the South Vietnamese Army doesn't seem to have ever existed.

We wondered the streets for ages trying to find a little place that has famous Vietnamese Pancakes. We were not disappointed. We sat down on little blue plastic chairs, knocked back our ice cold Saigon beer, rolled up our pancakes with fresh herbs and cooked our pork on coals (our hands dripping with chilli and fish sauce). All to the soundtrack of monsoonal rain hitting the tarp above our heads. This country can do good food!

Crossing roads is an experience in itself. This country is the reason Japan's major motorcycle companies are profitable. Their scooters are absolutely everywhere! And to cross a main road takes faith and luck. Just walk slowly and allow the tide to flow around you. Do not show fear, do not move suddenly - fatal mistakes.

Upon arrival in the Mekong Delta, we organised a homestay and proceeded to have a couple of days with our own boat driver. We saw a floating market, sweet making, an old house and a bonsai garden. At one stage we went on a row boat back to the homestay............ in torrential rain! The food was great and we got a good look at Delta life, with working boats all around (and rubbish, my god!)

From here we are heading out to our next stop, Phu Quoc island.

Italia! Italia! Italia! Italia! Italia! Italia! Ita........

After a quick word on Gatwick Airport security "utterly ridiculous, they scanned our thongs for gods sake" we managed to arrive in Pisa and make it to Tash's Aunts place in Tuscany for a few days of R&R. Its a beautiful house with a great view over the tuscan valley. We lazed, ate very well and the weather was great.















She has a dog called Tasha, I kid you not. Tash thought this was unfortunate.... Greg on the other hand.... (thanks Aunty Mairi)

We made our way to Florence to see one of Europe's most beautiful cities. This was introduction to Italy, not a bad way to start. We found a local bar overlooking the river Arno and enjoyed a free (and massive) buffet of apertizers (the latest trend).

We went on to see the towers of San Gimignano (beautiful 2000 yr old town), the famous piazza of Sienna being prepared for the 'Palio' horse race, camped in Assisi under the watchful eye of St Francis (saw the Saint's Tomb and Basillica), and wandered the cobbled streets of Roma for hours on end. We could rabbit on for hours, but that would be very boring, so here are some photos.

I think the real message from Italy, with the food (Pizza, Pasta, Proscuitto, Pecorino chesse, Wild Boar Sauce, Lamb scallopini, Gelato), the cathedrals (Sistene, Florentine Duomo, St Peters Basilica), the art (the Ufizzi, Vatican Museum) , the vatican itself and the Roman ruins, is that Italians have a lust for life which is enviable and infectious. We walked for hours just drinking in the whole atmosphere. It was sad to say goodbye to a place that I have fallen in love with. We'll be back.....

London! Sunny?! Come on.....

Yes dear friends, and we have the pictures to prove it. The English weather was glorious, with a beating sun. We decided to be real tourists and see the sights that London in the sunshine has to offer. Tate Modern, the Thames, the Parliament,Big Ben, Buck Palace (changing of the guard takes forever!). A great picnic in the park beautifully catered by Sarah. The Winston Churchill War Rooms Museum was really interesting. Churchill himself sounds like a real character, staying in his PJ's for most of the day.

But we cannot stay, Italy awaits!