We are only 4 weeks out of Australia but what an exciting and interesting month it has been.
As we approached our departure from Australia we were both excited about the totally different cultures that we were going to meet in Asia and it has fulfilled all our expectations and more.
Hong Kong was a soft landing but as I have said before it was made very special by Nick Wilson and Jo who had an agenda that did not let us really land. It was so varied and comprehensive that we only had a couple of days on our own to explore thngs on independantly but it was more than sufficient to transport us from the fairly 'laid back' style of Fremantle.
Our transfer from Hong Kong to Hanoi was a bit of a shock! The people still had the friendly style of HK but the style of the place was very different. Thousand and thousands of Scooters/mopeds on the road at any one time all going in different directions and you needed eyes in every orifice to be able to cross the road. The people just cannot do enough for you, some are trying to sell you street food or offer you a rickshaw or taxi ride and can be quite persistent, but do not argue when you repetitively turn them down. If you do take up their offers you are not generally overcharged but I am sure there are exceptions to the rule!
There is however a slightly overbearing political feel, particularly in Hanoi where street speakers play military style music and incomprehendable statements but we were clearly in a foreign land and there was an election campaign starting whilst we were there. The explanation all became apparent when we had a driver for a journey we made further South in the Country. He introduced himself as James Bond and said he was a Facebook frienfd of David Cameron and Tony Blair. I could not help but ask if he had an interest in politics and he replied that he did not as it was all just a laugh! I cannot really expand further in this forum but it did all become apparent to us as we visited a Museum further South in Saigon (HCMC). Neither Jackie or I could recall the exact commencement of the American intervention in Vietnam but that is not really surprising as she could hardly walk at the time. For me the escalation came shortly after the Cuba crisis and in 1965 I was at an age where I could have been conscripted if the UK were to have got involved. My memories are therefore muddled but that war was just a dreadful event for all as most wars are. Socially, there is quite a difference between a private job and a Government job with the latter paying about 75% of an equal private position but offers a pension and sometimes other opportunities in certain positions!! That could be wrong as it was only my understanding of a conversation.
In all we had the most wonderful time in Vietnam, we learnt to cross the road, went on an evening scooter ride to a number of street food and drinking venues driven by sober and University graduates, met the most wonderful and helpful Hotel staff and a very humorous lady who operated a boat trip with her husband. Our great hosts for the latter part of our stay was Nicks brother Rob and his lovely future Wife Thanh. They arranged the scooter trip and also a visit to the Saigon Opera House to se an acrobatic dance troupe who performed the most amazing presentation to music just using Bamboo poles and a trapeze. A stunning show! Our trip to Vietnam was just so amazing and enjoyable but there is still a lot of development to do there- I just hope that the people keep their wonderful temperament.
Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon as most of the locals refer to it is very different to Hanoi, it appears to be moving forward faster and there appears to be a greater proportion of cars to scooters but there is still an enormous number of the latter. The roads appear to be better ordered but believe me they are still a challenge to cross.
As many of you will know there is a fruit called Durian and whilst it is fairly harmless to look at it smells like and tastes like rotting meat. it is no favourite of Jackie and she can pick it up at about 50 metres.
With that established here are a few humorous moments during our stay:

1.All major towns are littered with tiny alley ways some of which housed little places that sell great food but some not. Jackie went into hysterics one day when I said that an opportunity should never be missed up an alley!
2. Me being accosted by a sunglass seller saying 'Happy Hour' and buying some fake Ray-Bans!
3.Me buying a Durian ice-cream innocently and by mistake and giving it to Jackie! Guess who had to eat it?
4. After drinking six rice wine shots on top of numerous beers I was coaxed as a dare to eat liquidised Durian! Anything for a dare.

Kuala Lumpur is a modern lively City with many mixed cultures and an unbelievable mix of retained traditional buildings alongside the ultra modern like the Petronas Towers, There are wonderful Parks and trees and far too much to do in such a short three day visit.
As an aside, I have carried out a worldwide survey of the price of Havianas flip-flops or thongs if you are an Aussie, In the UK they are about £22, in Brazil they are £4.50, in Australia £10 in a sale and in KL about £13. Just thought you might be interested!!