People of Ban Paksith village

Ban Paksith village on Mekong River. Very subsistence living but lovely friendly people

Left Chiang Rai this morning and after a 1.5 hour drive crossed the border into Laos. Then onto a boat to travel along the Mekong River until 5pm (140 km) Stopped at a village along the way and then stopped at Pakbeng. Staying at Le Grand Resort Pakbeng. Tis quite grand!

Rounded out the day with a nice lunch in the mountains and visit to a tea plantation with tea tastings (not me, hate the stuff)

Wat Rong Kun Chiang Rai. 4 photos aren’t enough! The toilet is the gold building

Wat Rong Kun also known as the White Temple. Seriously quirky. Couldn’t take photos inside the temple but among the religious paintings over the walls were Elvis, Michael Jackson, 9-11, Superman, Neo from matrix etc.

Town clock in Chiang Rai goes off at 7pm

Visited the Elephant Care Centre on way to Hmong Hilltop Lodge. Very kissy elephants and big suction noise when they let go, leaving a slobbery cheek 😝. When they wrap their trunk around you they pat you on the bum with the end of the trunk.

Lunch at the aforementioned restaurant. As deliciously fantastic as yesterday’s lunch.

Started the day with a yoga class ( well half a class, snuck off for a coffee). Then had lunch at a restaurant on the way to Hmong hill tribe lodge where staying tonight. Most beautiful gardens

Lunch yesterday at restaurant Naree de Klangwian. A vocational training centre for Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institution/prison. Think this was be best meal so far. Absolutely delicious.

Wat Chedi Luang temple. What can I say, it was temple day.

Visited Wat Doi Suthep temple. 1056 metres above sea level in Chiang Mai. Lots more gold and Buddhas. Caught a funicular the last bit up to view it (better than 300 stairs!). Pleasant temperature and not much humidity up that high

Wat Phra Singh temple Thailand

#SundayBreakfast Zucchini sweet corn fritters

#SundayBreakfast Miso scrambled eggs

Another beautiful Cairns sunrise

Left him alone for 2 days. ‘I missed you but I’m not looking at you!’

#BoxingDayBreakfast (because not enough food yesterday 😆)

Lovely sunrise this morning

Kiriwina Island. More beautiful clear blue water. Big craft market with carvings, shells, baskets and cloth mostly. Lots of stalls but very similar products throughout. 31 degrees & 70% humidity, not unlike home but sweated buckets! Probably because I was in the sun and at home I’d be in the aircon

St Mary’s Vunapope Catholic Hospital in Kokomo/Rabaul

Hot springs and volcano that destroyed Rabaul in 1994. Still smokin’!

Beautiful Rapopo resort near Rabaul

Beautiful Conflict Island

Visited Alotau yesterday. Toured the women’s health sections of the hospital. The midwives do an amazing job with low staffing and limited resources (1 midwife often caring for 4-5 women in labour). Alotau is the only hospital in Milne Bay Province that has a population of 700,000.

Midwifery Crisis: Lack of Trust & Failing System “I’ve never known it like this,” says Prof Mary Renfrew OBE, 45+ yrs in midwifery. Care models aren’t funded. Staff lack support. Women’s voices go unheard. We know what works, time to act. 🔗 surl.li/mntpyy

#SaturdayBreakfast (because #SundayBreakfast will probably be in the Qantas lounge - bit boring 😊)

#SundayBreakfast Avo toast with grilled scallops. Cannonball tree flowering

Day 2 Sydney. Show 2 Sydney. #CalamityJane. Pre show drinks with a view

Lovely spot for a Sunday afternoon bevvie

#SundayBreakfast Rock’s Cafe Sydney

Wordle 1,576 X/6 ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩 Oh come on!

#SundayBreakfast Confit duck toastie

Jack’s back 😆

Dr Jane Goodall filmed an interview in March 2025 with the understanding it would only be released after her death. This is her final message.

In 2020, New Zealand’s abortion law reform reframed abortion as a health issue — opening the door for midwives to provide early medical abortion care. For rural midwives, this has been transformative: expanding their scope of practice & strengthening community access to services. 🔗 zurl.co/gSnpa

Trying to get back into routine. Beautiful cool, clear morning helps (a bit)

Yesterday in Regua. Cruising the Douro getting so popular we had to double park 😆

Pinhao railway station. Built in 1880s but tile work added in 1937. Hand painted tile panels illustrating the steps in the wine making process

Another lock transition. This time going down. Pocinho Lock.

A little more Salamanca

Beautiful town of Salamanca. So many gorgeous buildings got photo fatigue. Home to oldest uni in world. Have a tradition when you finish your PhD you write a victory message on the wall. I got a piece of paper 🤨

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies in Lamego

Went through the highest lock on this cruise. 32 metres! Had to give way to another boat. Snug fit

Morning views along the river

National Palace Sintra

Sintra Portugal

Beautiful Lisbon