Moved from Saigon to our river cruise boat today (RV Tonle). Boat was built in 2002. Mainly tropical wood. Very comfortable with reasonably large cabins. We then were taken on to smaller boats (sampans) for a tour of a local village. Plenty of floating markets (boats selling all manner of vegetables and fruit). We visited a local family operated business where they made popped rice, coconut toffee and rice paper. The popped rice is made by heating sand, tossing i...

Had a full day city tour. Plenty of examples of French architecture from the 100 years France was the colonial power in Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia). Spent an hour at the Re-unification Palace, which is the former Presidential Palace under the old South Vietnam regime until the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Now it is mainly used for the odd conference, but mainly as a focal point for the current Vietnam government to present their view of history. A ...

Flew into Ho Chi Minh City (what had been known as Saigon) this afternoon. Arranged to pick up our visa at the airport. Reasonably efficient. Then got out first taste of Saigon traffic. More motor bikes than cars but plenty of both. Quite chaotic, particularly the motorbikes. We went for a walk and quickly realized that pedestrians are fair game. Crosswalks are ignored and walk lights are only marginally acknowledged. You are not even safe on sidewalks. ...

Got on a hop on/hop off bus this morning and spent the day touring the city, stopping at certain locations. Even with all the modern buildings, the historical cultures of Singapore are still vibrant in Chinatown and Little India. We were impressed by the greenspace that exists. Everywhere you go, you will run across manicured parks and gardens, most small, but some of reasonable size. The biggest is the Singapore Botanical Gardens, an area that must be about ...

Got back to Singapore this afternoon and went for a long walk around our hotel, which is in the heart of Singapore. Everywhere you turn you are bombarded by evidence of wealth and vitality. Every shop in the malls seems to be an exclusive brand name -- except for the restaurants which remind you that this is Asia. Had a great Thai meal.