Raj: We left Vietnam this morning and are back in Singapore for the third time, in transit with 6 hours to kill before our next flight (to London and the longest at 13.5 hours). We fare well Asia and head to UK/Europe (the main part of our trip). The 6 weeks since we left NZ has passed incredibly fast. It's been crazy and fun, and I think we'll find our way back to this side of the world one day. We are all now ready to move on.

By the time we get to London, we would have: taken 8 plane trips, 3 bus rides, 1 overnight train and 1 cruise; and visited 11 cities/places. The kids have coped very well and have been adored by all..."very handsome/beautiful, takes after their father..." (hey, I'm just repeating what the locals said!). We're now confidently in the swing of travel, and able to put up with the good and the bad.

England and Europe will be so different in many ways. Going from 40 to 20 degrees (and as low as 5 at night!) will be a shock. Jeans, jerseys and shoes will make an appearance for the first time since Melbourne. Our average daily ice cream count will take a hit (though I did sneak in a triple scoop banana split for my last pudding in Vietnam). I'm looking forward to relaxing what I eat and not drinking bottled water - I'd hate to think how much plastic rubbish we've created. Even some regular plain veges will be a treat. I'm also looking forward to seeing many relatives whom I haven't seen for 10-30 years, and for the kids (and Vikki in most cases) it will be there first connection.

To be continued ...