Back in Glasgow

I've been safely back home in Scotland for a couple of days now, but haven't seen any of that rain yet. The photos are from the Botanic Gardens here (just round the corner) and as you can see it has been sunbathing weather for the locals: i.e. about 16 degrees C.

My nephew Douglas has been looking after the flat and I'm pleased to see that he has kept the place in good shape.

I have some mixed feelings about my earlier than planned return, but it is a good time to be here, with the West End Festival about to begin and the Edinburgh Festivals not far away. And aside from that, I have plenty to keep me busy for a while.

Thank you to those who have tuned in here from time to time. And a special thank you again to those who provided a donation to the NMV cause. I will be in touch with our little network of supporters to discuss the next moves.

He came, he saw, he did a little shopping!

Well it's my last day in Thailand for the time being. My return flight leaves Bangkok at 20 minutes past midnight, and so I have a bit of time to fill after my late checkout and before I have to head for the airport. I have done a little bit of chilling by the pool here as planned, but it seems that I have spent much of the time in Bangkok browsing around some of the gigantic markets here - mainly Chinatown, Chatuchak, and the Kao San Road. I was on a mission - to get one of the anti-mosquito electric tennis racquets I'd seen in China - and I finally found what I was looking for in Chinatown here. On the way I seem to have picked up a few odds and ends that weren't on any list. These places are something else and certainly put the Glasgow Barras in the shade.

Yesterday Ayumi departed too - for Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, and I look forward to staying in touch and hearing about her progress.

Here are a few pictures of the Chatuchak market, Chinatown, a view from the riverbus, and a farewell drink with Ayumi, Jean and Dadao. And that's me with the new mosquito racquet. It won't be long now before I can test its effectiveness against the Scottish midgie. If trials are successful I anticipate a lucrative new import business!

So long for now.

Decision made

The main news today is that I have successfully managed to rearrange my return flights. I will be returning to Scotland on Monday the 8th of June - yes in just 4 days from now! The change cost me a return visit to Bangkok airport yesterday as well as the inevitable charges, but I'm pleased to have made the decision and to have got the arrangements made. My reasons for coming home early are rather varied. First of all the Chinese enforced a change of some sort because of their attitude to Tibet visitors. Vietnam was always part of the plan and I'm very happy with my time there. But this is not the best time of year to be a tourist in the Indochina region. It is very hot and humid, with the monsoon approaching. I didn't think I'd ever say this but I think I miss the typical Scottish summer weather. Maybe I'll come back to this part of the world in 6 months time or so.

I don't expect to have anything very interesting to report over these last few days - as long as everything goes according to plan that is. Ayumi is making her own plans - for visiting Cambodia, southern Vietnam, Laos and northern Thailand. This morning we met a new Japanese character in the form of Saiki. He has been in Thailand for the last 5 months, much of that time in hospital as a result of a mototbike accident. He is pretty well recovered now, but with a rather damaged shoulder. The whole episode has cost his insurance company US$4 million so far!

To close today here are some pictures from our Perfume Pagoda visit - courtesy of Masako's day with my camera.

Hanoi to Bangkok

I'm successully installed at the Rambuttri Village Inn in Bangalamphu -- the same place I stayed for a few days last year. It has the special benefit of a rooftop swimming pool, where I hope to chill out a bit over the next few days. Later today I will be checking out what the chances are of changing my return flights. Ayumi is in the nearby Merry V, but we are still travel buddies and had breakfast together this morning before a walk along the local riverside.
Our last day in Hanoi turned out to be very enjoyable. Our new friend Trang showed us round the museum of Vietnamese ethnology. She and Hien have both been extremely kind and helpful in many ways these last few days and have helped leave us with a very positive view of the Vietnamese people.
PS. Congratulations to Air Asia for another flight where they simply take off on schedule and land 10 minutes early - without blowing any fanfares!