A whole week has gone by since our last travel blog and it feels like we've done one month's worth of travelling! Since our last blog we have traveled to Bangkok via Hong Kong, on to Johannesburg, then to Tanzania and today we move on to Nairobi.

Let's start with Bangkok. The heat was up to its reputation. I loved the impact on our crew. Being from the Alps and northern Europe, they were not used to that heavy, humid temperature. This said, they ultimately learned to enjoy it. Admittedly, in the incredibly beautiful hotel we stated at, it was not very difficult.

The Bangkok visit had one main purpose, to visit the National Cancer Center. The visit was very worthwhile. We got the full facility tour and were able to engage in a very complete interview with its Director. I was most impressed by the faith component of the center. Buddhism was ever present and seemed to be most appreciated. Faith was only out shined by the presence of the revered King of Thailand. He too was a calming presence for people who have to endure the stress and pain of this disease.

Before leaving Bangkok, a quick side trip to the famous floating market. But this was not a tourist jaunt for us. As you will see in the film, the market will be featured in some of the background sequences to illustrate the lifestyle argument.

Now getting out of Bangkok was no easy task. Because we could not go to India - filming permit problems courtesy of the Indian consulate in Paris - we had to reroute. But rerouting out of Bangkok on a Saturday when you have a round the world ticket issued by Iberia via American Express in Paris is about as easy as getting your kids out of the house for school in time and with a full breakfast. No kidding, it was a nightmare. I spent three full hours standing by the Cathay Pacific counter. Ultimately, and this is the killer, it turned out to be very easy but it just required getting the agent to 'understand' how to go about the switch. And, believe me, I am cutting the story short.

So off we were from Bangkok, via Hong Kong to Johannesburg. Did I mention that it was a 20 hour journey in two fully crowded aircraft? Unfortunately our Johannesburg stay was way too short. We had planned on three interviews and had to cancel two and only have one. It was a great interview, but I always regret having to cancel the others. I hope to make it up to them as well because, obviously, it's also a disappointment to the interviewee.

As I write, we are now in Tanzania. Got here the day before yesterday. After a tough customs passage - Tanzania does not adhere to the Carnet ATA convention, so it makes it a little more complicated. You basically have to 'talk' your way into the country with all the gear. Fortunately, we found our driver Sham and off we went into the city.

Here we interviewed Dr. Twalib Ngoma. Great interview at the Ocean Roads Cancer Institute. Our Tanzanian footage will definitely add several important elements to the film.

Now it's on to Nairobi for a wind down of the round the world leg. I still have a couple of trips to finish (back to Atlanta, new visit to Barcelona, Bellinzona and final filming in Geneva and Lyon). So I look forward to this little layover in Nairobi where we will, again, have the privilege of staying in a very nice place. That's it for now, off I go to breakfast...