Saigon

Arriving in Saigon late at night with Jennie feeling tired and unwell brought an anticlimax to the completion of our epic journey. A good night's sleep, Thai massage and some retail therapy did the trick, and the following day we had a good visit to a local high school, to present the Sunderland book and forge links with the staff and students.

With time ever pressing we sneaked a glimpse at the local process of lacquering and visited the Reunification Palace in the centre of Saigon.

This amazing government building was finished just prior to the American war in Vietnam, and despite the huge loss of life on both sides the palace has never been put into use. Today its deserted corridors and restrictions on photography make a fitting reminder of the futility of conflict.

The streets in Saigon are equally as busy as in Hanoi, but much wider; there are 8 million people living here, and 6 million scooters. It was lovely to see the Chinese lanterns again, which will now always have a special meaning for us.

After steep negotiation with the hotel, our faithful cameras did their last piece of work in the aptly-named Saigon Saigon Bar on the roof of the Caravelle. Jennie's concluding piece to camera was quite moving, and as the sun set over the city we toasted the end of our amazing journey.