Posting from Kagoshima Japan; they have a "backup" satellite that is actually providing reasonable internet service while in Japanese port.

This has been a strange segment. Real rocky and cold going into Hong Kong and even rockier and windier on trip to Shanghai. Very few Americans onboard, 209 out of 625. UK, Hong Kong, Australia, and Canada together are much larger than USA contingent. Games not very well attended but trivia is doing reasonably well; just hurts to finish in a three way tie for first and end up third as we didn't guess what year Ringo Starr became a grandfather. Still, we have had a couple impressive wins.

Even though we have been on for over eight weeks, this last week is highlight for us - Japan for first time since we left in 2008, Christmas, and our 25th anniversary. Crew continues to change out; Olivia replaced Elda as Assistant CD in Shanghai. I think Singapore on 17 January will be a major turnover.

Ship continues to be wonderful. Anatoly is great as GM. David is new dining room manager and is wonderful. Food continues to be fantastic, and we have been able to get into Prime 7 and. Chartreuse on more than one occasion. They have also worked it so we could get into Prime 7 for our anniversary. We really enjoy the Orchestra. Arlene was able to get approval for us to have dinner with all five of them in Compass Rose the other night. Steak tartare, escargot, foie gras, lobsters tails, and wine kept showing up at our table. We had a fun evening. They played until 7:30 in Horizon and were back on stage at 10:30. We were worried that after such a heavy meal they might have had a hard time at show; no problem; they were extremely energetic.

Alas, the trip is almost over; all my "pacing myself" has been thrown out the window. Five more days of fun then onto Beijing and Harbin for hopefully more shopping and fun.