Sailing at long last -still through this fog of pollution and mist - quite eerie. By the end of today we will have sailed some 170 klms and by the end of the 7 days - over 2230 klms. China is surprising and disturbing - the amount of building, the new towns , bridge after bridge being built across the river - every few kilometers, the ship yards and factories. It makes Australia seem like we are not doing anything and very little infrastructure. I think our one...

Chongquing is a surprising city - one of four areas the Chinese Government has decreed as a special economic growth area. Very expensive until you know where to go. Our guide took us to lunch on the fourth floor of a building not to far from our hotel and we enjoyed the food so much went back there for dinner. Then wandered through some markets. Found one of the great site seeing attractions also within walking distance - a lovely old Buddhist Temple with roc...

Well what an interesting time. Left hotel in Hanoi at 5.30am and spent the day traveling. First to Hanoi airport and hour and a bit flight to Guangzhou - what a huge airport. We had to cross from international to domestic and by the time we got through clearance all the other passengers were gone. So we walked and walked and walked for 20 minutes, over two major highways and finally got to the domestic part and the a two hour flight to Chongping. There we sat an...

Back to Hanoi for the third time and the Flower Garden Hotel which is a nice hotel not too far from the Old Quarter and the French Quarter. Hanoi is a big, noisy Asian city with millions of scooters that honk at every opportunity. Crossing the street requires a special strategy of stepping out bravely and strolling nonchalantly across the street hoping that the cars and bikes will miss you as they weave around you. Janet has it down pat but I am more wary and t...

Spent a very bumpy night in the train but both of us managed to get some sleep. arrived at 5:30am in Hanoi and were picked up by Vim and taken to a hotel close by for a shower and breakfast. On the road again to Halong Bay - 4 hours most of which I slept and Janet dutifully kept up the chatter with the guide. We stopped along the way for a break at this wonderful place that was full of craft made by the victims of Agent Orange. A really great selection ranging f...