Well everyone better late than never, it looks like some of you have arrived at our site before we did, sorry to be so tardy! Technical problems in Singapore.

Friday, Sat & Sun 21, 22 & 23 August

Up before the dawn, 4.00am to be precise. Mum and Rick drove us to the airport and we flew to Heathrow. I don't think I've ever seen so much luggage in my life and all belonging to just 2 people! (Still not one airline charged us excess baggage, for which we are eternally grateful)

From Heathrow we flew to Singapore. An amazing experience in itself. We flew on the new A380, they only have 9 in their fleet and they are only on this route. Sean, the guy at Singapore Airlines in Dublin, who booked the flights for us, had arranged seats up stairs and on our own. From start to finish it was like being on a moving hotel. They couldn't do enough for us. We highly recommend them.

We landed on Satruday in Singapore 30 mins early - we almost expected to hear Michael O'Leary's fanfare!

The taxi ride into our hotel was just like the tourist guides. Singapore is truly spectacular. The first thing that hits you, besides the heat, is the colours, everything is so vibrant.

Our driver was a mine of information and made our journey very special. We arrived at the hotel very early, way before check-in. So we left our luggage and booked ourselves on the city tour. Now I have to say we felt as if we were slightly left of centre having very little sleep, changing time zones and climates but there is nothing like hitting the ground running to sharpen the senses.

Singapore is an incredible city, it is so clean, there is no litter at all, you can't even smoke on the streets unless you are next to a street ashtray - as Dennis found out. Everyone is very polite and friendly and they can't do enough for you. They wouldn't dream of breaking the law - not even slightly. The country is run as a large corporation by business men, in order to be president you must have been a CEO of a large company for at least 5 years. There are quite a few countries that could do worse than use them as a role model.

Whilst there we also visited Sentosa Island, an absolute must, went on a river cruise by night, ate incredibly well, very reasonably, did a bit of shopping on Orchard Road and last but by no means least - a Singapore Sling in Raffles Hotel. (Am in danger of becoming a travel brochure so won't post anymore on the subject but I hope you get a taste of what we felt.).

Monday 24 August

Another crack of dawn start and the beginning of our future.

We flew to Vietnam, gaining an hour so currently it is 6.31 pm. Our first view from the plane was a total shock, it is so green. We hadn't expected that. We're not sure what we did expect but that wasn't it.

The heat is phenominal. As we got off the plane it hits you like a wall. Dense humidity.

The hotel had sent a taxi for us. The journey into Hanoi was a round an hour. Nothing prepares you, no guides, no websites, no-one whose been here before. The land is full of greenery and the fields here are very abundant. All the way in to the city we were surrounded by motor cycles, scooters etc. Everything seems to be carried by this method of transport - the family )literally, goods, livestock etc. You overtake by tooting your horn and just pulling out - no wonder travellers are advised not to drive!

We haven't crossed a road yet but apparently when you do, you just walk and don't stop - they will avoid you, they factor in that you are moving - they only hit you when you stop.

Well folks thats all for now - time for dinner, a glass of wine and a good night's sleep. It may be one of our last for sometime (Yeah).