On my previous entry I promised to write about my trip to Thailand. But that was months ago and since then I’ve been to Hue and Hoi An in central Vietnam and to the island of Phu Quoc off the southwestern coast of Vietnam near the border with Cambodia.

More importantly, I also got married- almost six months already! – and we are expecting our first child.

Finally, about a week ago we moved to another house. It’s probably a bit basic by Western standards, but we had it painted, had the kitchen tiled, and have started decorating. The main reason for moving was that it is located in an amazingly quiet part of town, all the more so considering how noisy Saigon is. It’s also very secure- and cheaper rent to boot. The only drawbacks so far are a greater number of mosquitoes and a much staller selection of foodstalls within walking distance. Although I sometimes want to just have tea and toast for breakfast, we more often than not have a traditional soup for breakfast and I shall miss the place we had in the alley near the old house.

I’ve been very busy with work, even holding three different management jobs at the same time at one point. I’m still wearing two hats, but that will come to an end before the year is out as I plan to ease back into a less strenous schedule.

Approximately two months ago (the last time I attempted to write something), I was ….

Reading: How To Be Good (2001) by Nick Hornby and The Calcutta Chromosome (1996) by Amitav Ghosh.

Listening to: The Who, prompted by John Entwistle’s death on the eve of their latest tour. I was also sad to note the recent deaths of actor Rod Steiger and director John Frankenheimer.

Watching: Three Seasons (1999) by Tony Bui with Harvey Keitel in a supporting role. Not terribly exciting, but it captures the flavour of what it is like living in Saigon- kids selling chewing gum, cyclos, the rains … Also Tears of the Black Tiger (2000), a very campy Thai western with a saturated pink colour palette.

Mileage: 4, 477 kilometers on my Honda Future. Today I got my very first flat tire. Surprising really, as I’ve owned this bike for almost 11 months.