gran Hi Katie , you are really having fun are'nt you . How long are you going to be there , in Asia I mean . We are enjoying having Simon and the girls here . Natasha may have a job here but has to wait for the slow government to approve her clearance . We are all well , I am still doing Tai Chi , in fact a new session sterts next week . I love you and will love to hear your stories later . Stay safe love Gran .

ava hey ben, hope you are good and well, more ballet news... the competition is going to be at questors but in the studio but not in the main stage!!!!! we started our ballet show work, except because there is no grade 5s we are with grade 4s, but is not too bad, should be fine. see you soon!missing you lots... z

mum/LH well I knew that there had to be some decent ethnic blood in those neighbours of ours!

jacqui I am SOOO jealous. It all sounds fantastic - even the bad bits like long boat journeys. Really brings back lots of memories of travelling through China 20 years ago!. Very impressed that you found a Bagel Egger (cant they spell?) though I'm not sure I would have gone for quite those ingredients! Have a great time lots of love Jacqui xx

silken ben! loving the blog... keep it coming, and more photos! am planning our own trip on your recommendations and getting v excited. will definitely find a way to cross paths for a few days. am babysitting xarius and zubin on thurs - feels weird to be part of 'the fam' without 'can we just assess', howevs am sure you will be there in spirit. anyway, miss you loads, be safe, lots of love (and hiii katie) xxxxxxxxxxxxx

grandma Hi Bini et el, JUST CANT BELIEVE THE FUN AND ADVENTURE YOU ARE ALL EXPERIENCING. hOPE YOU KEEP UP THE FUN AND KEEP OUT OF TROUBLE WE STILL WORRY FOR YOUR SAFETY i HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT YOUR LOVELY PHOTOES ALL THE TIME AND THEY ARE SIMPLY EXCITING. lOVE TO YOU kEEP SAFE AND HAPPY ALWAYS LOVE GRANDMA TASHOO NAUGHTY FREYOO PAPA . WE HAD A LOVELY DINNERAT YOUR HOME TO CELEBRATE TASHOOS B'DAY AND ALSO XARIUS AND ZUBIN AS THEIR BDAYS ARE JUST AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME LOVE G-MA. KEEP THE BLOGS AND PHOTOES COMING AS WE ALL MISS YOU VERY MUCH AND NOW FEEL EALING IS DESOLATE WITHOUT OUR BINI.

mum/LH Hey, I only just saw your blog from Laos and it sounds absolutely wonderful, and yes an ideal place to chill and enjoy. I can't wait to see the pictures from the waterfall - must have been a lovely way to spend the day. We have our own waterfalls here - bank holiday weekend and it has rained and rained and rained and rained... sadly not quite as atmospheric as your waterfall sounded. LY mum/LH

mum/LH Hi girls, Just wondering where you are and how you are getting on now? Have you caught up with Sophie yet? There has been lots of news about southeast asia over here, mostly about Burma, but also about how helpful the ocuntries round there have been. Have you heard much about it there? LIfe is pretty normal here, we have been enjoying a three day weekend, and after a day of gardening (felt great), we went over to further explore Brick Lane - Rachel loved the market and shopped until dad almost dropped! Good fun though. We are looking forward to hearing more and hopefully will get to speak again soon. mum/LH

Gran Hi Katie and Benaisha , good to hear from you . Your adventures sound pretty normal to me . I remember that people in Malaysia tried to take chickens on the planes ! We have Simon and his two girls living close to us now . It is great . The places you stayed sound much as i remembered . As your Mum said your halls of residence will seem like luxury . I am glad that you are obviously having a great time . Katie , I love you very much , take care . Love Gran .

mum Wow, what a wonderful trip so far. You had me laughing several times - the thought of you three atop an elephant is fantastic. And just thinking of your uphill hike makes me smile - hmmm, Katie it sounds even worse than the hikes I made you take in Canada! - well at least there weren't any bears to worry about. Accommodation sounds absolutely awful, but I guess it is good because you will think that your halls of residence are absolute luxury when you come back. Enjoy yourselves and keep the news coming in. Love you all. mum/LH

mum Hi there Missing you and can't wait to hear more news. Enjoy! mum

Peter H Hey Midge & Beni, Hope you are staying dry and out of the way of the cyclones. Had some hilites of your plans from Ray and LH but don't get much in the way of texts. Hopefully that means you are out of touch and haven't forgotten us back at home (or sometimes home). All is well in sunny Algeria. Summer seems to be on the way and it's warming up well. Hope you enjoy the elephant riding but watch out for the leeches in the rivers. Take care and lots of love PG / Dad