Around the world in 155 days: ...and we shall call her "Kathryn Blood Dragon"

Well, that's what Londrigan sounds like I guess, if Vietnamese is your first language.... and among my new mates here, it's stuck. Vietnam is hot hot hot, and despite the 45 degree heat, and 100% humidity, as usual I've tried to fully immerse myself in the local culture. That generally means Drinking the the Local Beer. Eating the Local Food. Getting a Vietnamese bikini wax.... now I know that I've neglected things a little in my travels, but I didn't think I needed three Vietnamese women, a pair of kitchen shears (true) and a ream of A4 paper (yes, still true) to sort things out. Of course, I tried to avoid this happening at all - I got Sarah to bring me some wax from Australia for some DIY, but the complete absence of a microwave anywhere in this country foiled that plan.... And as a result I'm now culturally more enriched than I ever thought possible. And lets face it - just plain in shock. Am in need of a drink, and quickly.....

Vietnam has been very cruisy - but I think that's my 200mg daily allowance of narcotic pain relief talking (plus the daily allowance of alcohol). I hope that my Dr's grasp on Medicine is superior to his grasp on English - he emails me to check how I'm faring with such pearls of wisdom as:

Dear Mss Londrigan Kathryn,

I am doctor in International SOS clinic in Ha Noi, I just write the email to check if you feel better or not? How about your pain now? And do you continue with your given medications.

Thank you for your using our service, and wish you all the healthy
And I am sorry that my official email is having problem currently, and I have to use this email one.

From Hanoi, to Hue, to Hoi An and now Nha Trang.... awesome food. Cold beer (and it's great), and I've met some nice people. Photographing the local people is a daily indulgence, and I've indulged my love of all things military. The war history is fascinating. In all, Vietnam is a big hit for me.

I think I'm high on narcotic pain relief again, as typing without typos is difficult, and I've got the "can't be bothered"s after a long stint in the sun on a boat, and a few beers already today, and Ireally should go and put a face and a frock on to hit the Sailing Club with the lads, so let's leave it with a pictorial journey.....

Hue - a pagoda. One of several thousand in Vietnam!

The boat trip to the Pagoda reaped some interesting sites on the Perfume River in Hue - "ballast" is this guy's middle name - I'm glad no speed boats went past.....

Monk praying inside the temple at the Pagoda. The Vietnamese guide said "and no make naughty or distraction with the monks they praying". Pics were ok though...

The next day in Hue I hit the surrounding villages on a motorbike.... This is a local lady in one of the villages outside Hue. She has all her own teeth, but I'm not sure that's saying much.....

Incense for buddhist ceremonies at one of the local villages....

I got up ridiculously early in Hoi An to go to the Fish Market - it's at that point I thought "oh no, I think I'm an annoying photographer"...... Some great pictures of the action though:

This is the kind of ferry ride where you see the news headline "Tragedy strikes today in North Vietnam when an overloaded ferry sinks with 10,000 people and 15,00o motorbikes on board"......

.... more dawn fishing.....

Japanese covered bridge in Hoi An.....

Good old Vietnamese traffic - crossing the road is an exercise in agility and luck.

Vietnamese cooking school in Hoi An. Rice paper rolls? I'm your lady. Lemongrass fish? Ditto. Chicken salad? No problem... I'm taking bookings from 24 July onward.