We have just spent our last 10 days in two mega cities - Bangkok and Manila. Subsequently we are happy to now be in the beach resort of Ao Nang in SW Thailand (bet some of you would never have thought we'd be happy with that!)

Our week in Bangkok was mainly spent planning our month in Myanmar (Burma) and buying new bags cos we aren't going to use the bikes for much of the next 4 months. We have both been here a couple of times previously but there is always sightseeing to be done - some of the quirkier ones were the sea shell museum and a large teak rice farmer's house which once stood in Northern Thailand. Fran also spent a day on a Thai cookery course which she loved.

Our friends Valerie and John arrived out from the UK in time for us to see the Festival of Light together. There was a cavalcade of brightly lit boats on the river followed by fireworks and loads of people had launched floating candles as part of the celebrations.

It was great seeing Bobbi & Dean again in the Philippines. It marked the start of Fran's 50th birthday celebrations - lovely food & wine, an exhibition of 20th century Mexican paintings and the Philharmonic Orchestra presenting a Disney concert with video clips and great vocal performances.