Cruise destination - Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

We spent a day at Ho Chi Minh City in South Vietnam during our recent weeklong cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas.



This bustling city is quickly growing in popularity as a cruise stop, partly due to the reduction of passenger visa cost. These used to cost US$50.00 and have now been reduced to US$7.00 which the cruise company charges direct to your onboard account..



Market shopping in the city was great, but our tour guide warned us to beware of pickpockets in crowded spaces, so we walked around the central market compound with hands on pocket and handbags firmly secured.



This video is the result of our daytime wanderings in the downtown area of this interesting city. We would gladly return for another visit sometime in the future.

Sentosa Resort World

In this video we take a walk around Sentosa Resort World during the Chinese New Year holiday weekend in February 2015.

Airlie Beach is looking good!

Situated on the tropical central Queensland coast, the town of Airlie Beach is a major stepping off point for the Whitsunday islands....and it's looking great thanks to a recently completed $22.5 million revamp of its main street.

The new-look downtown area ties in with the rest of the precinct including the Airlie Beach Lagoon (above) and pristine foreshore.

The main street now flows into the esplanade, linking it with the new Port of Airlie marina which is set to eventually become the main departure and arrival point for cruises,diving trips and charter yachts. A boardwalk meanders all the way from nearby Cannonvale past Abel Point Marina (which is also being refurbished at time of writing) into Airlie's central waterfront and the man-made lagoon.

On Saturday mornings Airlie Beach foreshore hosts a colourful market selling everything from fresh produce to fashion items and craftware.

Airlie Beach has for many years been a backpacker haven with a number of great eateries and hotels, apartments and other facilities, but now it's even better, offering something for every kind of tourist, especially those who enjoy water-based activities.

For more information on Airlie Beach and its surrounds check out the website:

www.tourismwhitsundays.com.au

PODCAST: Around the World #47-08

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CRN (Australia) replay date: 19 November, 2008
Program details:

• John Crook has details of Melbourne Theatre Company’s next production.
• Ren Zwiers provides some Queensland domestic tourism statistics.
• John Crook presents his wine report on Penfolds (Australia).
• US co-hosts Arthur von Wiesenberger and Richard Mineards report on their sample flight on the new Qantas A380 after its inaugural landing at Los Angeles.
• Frances Beasley, who has been recuperating from a severly broken ankle reports on the handicaps faced by immobilised travellers.
• John Crook chats with the owner of Hanging Rock Winery in Victoria (Australia).