Thoughts from Hoi An

Hi from Mike and Kate

This is the first time we have had to sit time and write a Blog. The tour we are on is fantastic in so many ways and it has been pretty well non stop. We have been to some amazing places and seen so many extraordinary things. Laos was quite stunningly beautiful. Luang Prabang lived up to my expectations and exceeded them. The contrasts are of course very marked. There is extreme poverty in Laos and in Vietnam, where we are now and it is hard to see much of the population living in such conditions whilst we are in luxury in hotels serviced by the very people that we see on our travels. However they are so calm and nice and seem genuinely pleased to have us in their country, particularly if you are English. I am fairly certain that the Americans are not so popular given their recent history in this area. We see people with limbs missing and can only assume that ordnance left by the U.S.A is largely responsible. Our guide often refers to the 'American' war and talks with passion about it. Despite all this and the French and Japanese occupations the people are lovely and forgiving. Buddism is very strong in Laos and Vietnam, and we have seen many monks around and have learnt a lot about their living. I could go on but time again is not on our side and I will now hand over to Phileas. So this is Fogg signing out with best wishes to you all.

Hoi An is about 2/3rds way down the Vietnamese coast. It is a UNESCO town as are a number of sites in Indo China. We are due to leave this morning and head on down to Saigon. Our guide, Harry, is from Vietnam and he is able to give us a very thorough understanding of the country and its history. He has given us several talks about the religion and history and at every place we visit goes into great detail about the function or significance of the architecture for example. Despite coming from the South of Vietnam and having been appallingly affected by the war he is never judgmental, only factual. The group as a whole have a great respect and affection for him.

Laos is a beautiful country and we fell in love with the simplicity of life in Luang Prabang. Our trip up the Mekong River took us past small villages of stilt houses perched above the bank. The 'beach' was the market garden of the village and at this time of the year planted with vegetables. Moored alongside were boats for fishing. The food market was a revelation selling an enormous range of fruit and vegetables as well as meat, fish, bullfrogs (alive or barbecued), rats (barbecued) and snack food such as stir fried vegetables wrapped in banana leaves. An photographer's dream! Vientiane was less attractive but no less interesting and as the capital had some serious architecture of buddist and communist styles. Vietnam is a socialist republic but in the early 1980s had a more communist regime. Now the free market is allowed and people are able to buy land and property and run their own businesses.

More soon

With love Phileas and Fogg