Number 99: With Yair and Deb planning a gap year in 2009, end 2008 was our last realistic “Schkolne nuclear family of four” holiday opportunity. Yair and Maya chose Asia, deciding eventually on Singapore, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

First: efficient, prosperous Singapore – land, as incessantly invoked by Raymond’s father Shlomo z”l, of Lee Kuan Yew and exceptional development. Abundant experience compressed into two days: Little India’s spicy, aromatic foods; scale of construction; iconic Hindu Temples; attractive Botanical Gardens; animated Orchard Road Shopping malls – especially the extra-large bookshop!

Then in North Vietnam’s Hanoi, adjusting to the swarms of motor cycles, some unbelievably balancing whole families and livestock on them, taking our lives into our hands with each crossing of the impossibly busy streets.

In “Middle Vietnam”, standing on Da Nang’s “American Beach”, we reflected on the 1965 USA troops American War first landing place – “Vietnam War” per the Americans! Visits to factories with 2nd Generation intellectually and physically handicapped workers, survivors of ‘Agent Orange’, and Textile factories, contributed to the overall impression of a poor Communist Country still immersed in tragedy now opening to overseas visitors and development.

Historic, beautiful riverside Hoi An, is an atmospheric architectural fusion of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese. In spectacular Halong Bay we hired our “own” boat for the day, alighting at boat “markets” – doubling as homes! Swimming in paradise required a simple jump off our boat.

In the South: bustling Ho Chi Min City, the Cu Chi tunnels and Museums, re-enacting how the Vietnamese fought off the Americans. Sounds of live bullets from the police HQ’s shooting range next door, accompanied our war sites tours.

Lastly a few days view of the mind-blowing skyline and pulsating heart of Hong Kong from Kowloon across the harbour. Walking the teeming, energetic, streets; Museums; the giant Buddha; cycling around a small island and attending Shul Service on Friday night followed by dinner with local community members.

These places are a world outside of ours – so far from our comfort zone. A privilege this journeying together and brief but rich experience of some countries and humanity in the East.