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DIAMOND PRINCESS 2: Days 8 and 9

The Diamond Princess had to bypass Nha Trang because of super-high winds.  We were thus at sea for two more days and hopefully will arrive in Cai Lan ( Halong Bay ) on Day 11.  Day 12 will include a scenic cruise to Chan May ( Danang Beach, or China Beach ) through Halong Bay. Our Day 8 began with a different kind of lunch for me.  I actually skipped the usual ramen, and had beef stew over rice and a salad, with a Kirin Lager. Walked by the ice cream counter and got a matcha cone, Stayed for some entertainment, Took my usual nap, then down for dinner in Pacfic Moon,  The menu Ordered  Steamed Green Asparagus warm bacon jerez vinegar dressing, Skinniest asparagus I've ever seen. Also Mexican Albongas Soup.  Duckhorn Chardonnay. Twice-cooked port in szechuan saue, After dinner menus, Had a Cherries Jubilee with a Monte Chocso.  What is that?  See above After Dinner Beverages menu. Next, the Princess Theater with Monique Montez. Then, drinks in the W...
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PIRACY IN THE MALACCA AND SINGAPORE STRAITS

Many are familiar with the  Golden Age of Piracy in the North Atlantic and Indian Oceans . This occurred between the 19650s into the 1730s, and names like Henry Morgan, Edward "Blackbeard" Teach and the Barbary pirates come to mind.   There were females also of some prominence:  Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Not as well-known is  piracy in the Strait of Malacca , which is about 500 miles long, as shown to the right, Piracy began to appear in the 14th century.  Typical were the pirates of Long Ya Men Sho, and they attacked with 200-300 boats! And pirates are still here today, for there were 107 incidents just in the year 2024!   We just left this area yesterday. Some history, The geography of the  Strait of Malacca  is susceptible to piracy.  There are thousands of islands where they can hide and ambush. 60% of maritime trade between just China and India pass through this waterway. It is also the route to/from Asia for Europe, the Suez Canal ...

DIAMOND PRINCESS 2nd Cruise: Days 6 and 7 at Sea

The Diamond Princess left Phuket, Thailand, and will be at sea for three days, returning south past Singapore, then heading north to arrive in Nha Trang, Vietnam on Day 9.  Map on right just shows the juxtaposition of these stops. On Day 6, my usual ramen lunch, with a lot of veggies and a piece of meat or two, plus a beer. Again, took a nap, then walked a mile around the ship.  Had a drink in the Captain's Reception, On to dinner at Pacific Moon.  Menu. Started with the chowder and tender greens salad.  No wines tonight.  Leftover from pre-dinner drinks. Cumin spiced beef short ribs with chilled coconut soup.  I've never used a straw for soup before.  This was not a great combination.  The beef was dry and the soup too sweet.  But this was expected, for it included orange, honey and lychee. Rum Raisin Panna Cotta with Drambuie on rocks. We were early for the theater show, so stopped by for a drink at the Wheelhouse Bar. Then on to  Born...