Hong Kong, Vietnam and Indonesia

Was away for 18 days recently. Went through 5 cities/airports; Jakarta, Hong Kong, Saigon, Hue and Hanoi in about 2 weeks. Am glad to be home in Singapore. I realised this year I have only been home not more than 2 weeks in between trips that I've done so far. Am feeling rather tired and just happy to stay at home. Have to head down to Kuala Lumpur next for 'Notthatbalai' festival and then Darwin right after for 'Interpositions'.

6 - 8 June 2007

Arrived Jakarta on Friday 6th June. Stew was still at work when i got to his place. Kusmono came to pick me and ibu Lilis was very happy to see me. Stew's parents arrived on Saturday from UK via Singapore. We had a BBQ and watched Wimbledon (singles) on telly that Saturday evening. On Sunday 8th June, we went out for lunch at Battavia cafe.

9 - 11 June 2007


We flew to Hong Kong on the 9th of June from Jakarta.



We went up to the Peak to get a view of the city in Hong Kong. Went to the aviary/ bird park in the city and visited the night market in Kowloon.



We went to Aberdeen harbour to look at the junk boats. The flats in the background reminded me of Singapore. We later stopped by outside the old home of Michael Uttley to have a look. Stew stayed there when he first went to Hong Kong as a teenager.

I visited Asia Art Archive's new office and caught up with Angela Su. The new archive looks great, bigger and nicer! Spoke to Claire on the phone. Didn't get a chance to see her as she was not on maternity leave.

12 - 20 June 2007
We left Hong Kong on the 12th of June for Vietnam. We were in Saigon for only one night. Hana was in town, she arrived the same day. We met up for drinks at 'Saigon Saigon'.


We visited the general post office and reunification palace in Saigon. The palace is interesting..kind of a museum. Had Vietnamese at Ngon restaurant.



Flew to Hue on the 13th. We stayed in Hue for 2 days at a beautiful french hotel facing the river. We hung out in our balconies watching the sunset.


We went on a guided tour with our tour guide; Loc who took us on a boat ride to visit temples in Hue.



After Hue, on the 15th of June, we met with a tour guide who took us to Danang and Hoi Ann in a mini bus. The journey took 4-5 hours. We stopped by Lang Co beach on the way.



Stayed at Victoria hotel/resort in Hoi Ann. Was pretty hot and sunny in Hoi Ann..about 38 degrees!



We visited a silk factory, temple and museum in Hoi Ann. Met up with Bui Chong Khanh, a Vietnamese artist and friend from Hoi Ann.


Hoi Ann has beautiful buildings and streets.


a souvenir shop and hair salon in Hoi Ann

We left Hoi Ann in the evening on the 16th of June. Flew from airport in Danang for Hanoi .


Stayed in Hanoi for 2 days before we went to Ha Long Bay.





We drove to Ha Long Bay with another guide and spent one night in a paddle steamer boat. The cabins in the boat are tiny and sleeps about a hundred guests. They screened a French film called 'Indonchine' after dinner that evening.

We left Ha Long Bay to return to Saigon from Hanoi airport on the 19th of June. Stayed one night in Saigon before we left for Jakarta on the 20th.

21 - 23 June 2007
We returned to Jakarta via Hong kong from Saigon. On the 20th of June, we spent at least 13 hours between flights, waiting in transit and stuck in trafic in Jakarta. When we got back to Stew's in Jakarta we felt really knackered. Had two days to relax before Rachel, Nigel and me left Jakarta on the 23rd. Stew took Rachel and Nigel to Ratu plaza to get DVDs and to PasarRaya for souvenirs. Taught Rachel how to play 'congkak'.