angusmccoll

Monday 19 November: Ho Chi Minh city

Unification Palace If you were watching the news back in 1975 you would recognize this place. Now called the Unification Palace, back then it was the Presidential Palace where the President and administrator of South Vietnam resided. in early 1975 this place featured heavily in the news around the world when the Viet Cong armyContinue reading “Monday 19 November: Ho Chi Minh city”

Sunday 18 November: Cairns to Saigon

I arrive at Cairns airport early (courtesy of Jacquie – thanks Jacquie) thinking that I will breeze through departures. Not so. I join the long cue. I was expecting a spacious flight being a return flight to China. It seems for ever, lined up with a multitude of stuffed Australian animals eye-balling me from withinContinue reading “Sunday 18 November: Cairns to Saigon”

Eve of flights to Saigon

Well…Like a final John Farnham concert…I’m back! This time I’m aiming for Vietnam, a place I’ve been meaning to explore for a long time. It’s Saturday might and I’m packed and ready to go…I think! It’s going to be a huge day tomorrow to get myself from Cairns to Saigon. I’m flying China Eastern AirwaysContinue reading “Eve of flights to Saigon”

THE FINAL BLOG

I’m now back in Cairns. The flight home has completely worn me out! The Dubai to Australia leg with a 9-hour stop over in Hong Kong airport, and without any help from Qantas, was tuff for this already weary traveller. And I lost my faithful old glasses in the toilets…well not in the toilet. IContinue reading “THE FINAL BLOG”

Hong Kong (Monday 14 November)

Let me tell you about a very bad investment I have made. It is called the Qantas Club. I joined the club before starting my travels thinking it would make my time in the airports more comfortable. It cost just under $600. In all my travels around the world I have been able to useContinue reading “Hong Kong (Monday 14 November)”

Dubai (Sunday 13 November)

Looking straight down from the viewing platform of the Burj Khalifa. It’s Sunday and Neil and Karen go off to work. Fridays are holy days so Friday and Saturday are the weekend in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). I go into town to go up to the viewing platform of the Burj Khalifa. I hadContinue reading “Dubai (Sunday 13 November)”

Dubai (Saturday 12 November)

Passing from one Emirate to another can happen un-noticed. There is no grand signage to indicate you are crossing some border, which is interesting because the rules of etiquette and laws from one Emirate to another can be quite different. Each Emirate expresses Muslim traditions at different levels. Dubai is comparatively liberal with it’s rules.Continue reading “Dubai (Saturday 12 November)”

Dubai (Friday 11 November)

Oh…and I forgot to tell you I touched the Titanic at the Dubai Mall last night. And tonight we stumbled across the Emir of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. After dinner last night we went for a stroll through the Dubai Mall. Featured there is the largest aquarium I have ever seen. FullContinue reading “Dubai (Friday 11 November)”

Dubai (Thursday 10 November)

Neil is working again today. He is the Director of Operations for the Ambulance service here for all of Dubai. It’s a responsible job and he is committed at the moment overseeing the service at a busy time. Dubai has it’s annual International Air Show this Sunday and the expectations of the ambulance service areContinue reading “Dubai (Thursday 10 November)”

Dubai (Wednesday 9 November)

Dubai is one of seven Emirates that are economically and administratively united under the one flag, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Emirates share the Arabian Peninsula with Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Each Emirate (or state) is ruled by an hereditary Emir and the UAE is overseen by a President. The name ‘Dubai’ refersContinue reading “Dubai (Wednesday 9 November)”