AT SEA: Taipei to Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City

Today, more doings on the Diamond Princess as we now head towards Tropical Storm Koto and Ho Chi Minh City.  Another evening, and it seems we've done this before.

First, drinks in the Crooner's Bar.

A quick pre-show dinner in the International Dining Room.

Then to Princess Theater for a performance by the 60s Four, an Australian group, singing hit songs of the 70s.  They specialize in 60s songs, so another show will no doubt be coming.  The theater was fully packed.

Okay show, but I only recognized half of their songs.  I think this was because there were many hits in Australia that never became popular in the USA.  Next to the Explorers for karaoke.

Explorers for a Liars Club show, followed by karaoke.

To Club Fusion for disco dancing,

Mascot of ship is Stanley the Bear.

  Walked 3535 steps on Day 8.

Next day, we are in Hong Kong.

Lunch of two noodles with sake and beer.

Night came, and had drinks watching the lights of Hong Kong,

The weather was comfortable, so we walked outside to get a closer look.

Next, dinner in the International Dining Room.  I started with two soups, a hot Japanese soup and a cold Gazpacho.  In my cuisine, I like to combine hot/cold, sweet/sour/salty, etc.  I'm actually using two spoons for the soups, not recommended in any dining etiquette course.

Also tonight, quite an assortment drinks to accompany fish and chips.  An excellent red. 

Made my special sauce.

Malt vinegar.

Fish and chips meal with drinks.

Tonight was karaoke, again,  Our drinks,

Went back to the Crooners Bar for a nightcap, and the staff sang Tiny Bubbles.

My intent was to walk the ship hallways for exercise.  Haven't don't that yet.  So only 2521 steps

Can't seem to find much about once typhoon Koto, for it was downgraded to a tropical depression on December 1.  Google AI tells me that:

As of Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the weather system formerly known as Tropical Depression Koto has weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA) far offshore and is no longer a significant wind threat to Ho Chi Minh City. 

Which means the storm is still hanging around in the ocean in the vicinity of the city.  The remnants are expected to bring heavy rain to Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, and Phu Yen for the coming days.

The ocean has been bumpy the past couple of days.  However, hope all this fear of typhoons and such was  not justified.

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