Right now we are in Singapore, and we really like it. Singapore has a sort of reputation for being boring, so we weren't really expecting much. But it really is a nice city. It's as clean and orderly and efficient as its reputation makes it out to be! The transit system is excellent, so it's easy to get anywhere.

The museums are some of the best small-to-mid size museums I've seen anywhere. We went to one museum in Chinatown which told the story of Chinese immigration in the 19th and early 20th century. We also went to the Asian Civilizations museum, which gives a broad overview of all the cultures that have contributed to Singapore's culture: India, Islam, Buddhist Southeast Asia, and China. I have to say that this museum is better than the national museums of India and Thailand combined! Anyone travelling through Asia should stop through Singapore just to go to this museum so that they can get an insight on the places they're travelling to.

Looking at pictures and seeing videos of Singapore in both these museums, it's amazing how far Singapore has come since independence in 1965. Singaporeans really have a lot to be proud of for transforming what looked like a dirty, overcrowded hellhole into one of the wealthiest and most beautiful cities in the world in such a short period of time.

We've bought our tickets for Hong Kong, and will be leaving in two days. The new Lonely Planet China came out just two days ago, so we're fortunate to have a fresh, brand new guidebook. We're both a little bit nervous about China. By all accounts its one of the most difficult and unpleasant countries in the world to travel in. I imagine it to be a lot like India, but without English, and without friendliness. But I figure the worse it is, the funnier the memories will be . . .