I intended to put up several entries detailing each port as this time in Asia went by, but neither internet access nor convenience of time allowed me to do it that way. So, some random photos and words to catch you up. I’m staring out my window at a horrible day in Vladivostok, where the wind and rain bring the bones to chill on a day that otherwise might just be a bit brisk. Sad because we’ve been looking forward to seeing the “lord of the East” on this, our next to last day soaking up Asian amazement before we spend seven days at sea on the way to begin our summer Alaska run. I spent a couple of hours trying to brave the wind and wet, but found myself soaked and in need of blankets. Now, it’s Muroran, Japan and then Alaska. Ahh. Don’t get me wrong, Alaska can be beautiful under the right conditions, but so can Kansas or Newfoundland. It is not, however, a foreign land rife with history, adventure, and unfamiliar culture. It is a place I have spent most of the past three summers doing much what I’ll be doing this year, and I’ve done the hikes and most of the tours and the cupcakes. Diamonds International runs neck and neck with onboard art sales as the biggest racket and exploitation of the passengers, but at least onboard art auctions don’t overflow into every city and turn ever other store into questionable jewelry dealers. I digress… but I do that. Moving on… It’s been a great Asia run, forgetting the extraordinary amounts of needless rehearsals foisted upon us by injuries, unreliable replacements, and other circumstances which I shan’t go into here. We’ve more of these rehearsals to come in Alaska… two more replacements yet to fit in. Missing a day in Skagway, however, is not as dreadful as missing a day in Shanghai. I’m excited now because my parents are coming on a cruise on June 26, as long as everything gets approved as it should… so bring it on, Alaska! Now I just have to ship all this Asian crap home before the end of the Alaska season. Gifts purchased in Asia will be gradually sent out from Juneau weekly, so be on the lookout… I’ll be posting videos as I get time and internet access to upload them in the coming weeks. Some pics: Our second chance to spend the night off the ship in Hong Kong found us upgraded to an even larger suite than we were upgraded to when we stayed in Kowloon. The main island didn’t offer us as much interesting nightlife as Kowloon, though. Most of the nightlife on Central is of the type you’ll find in the states, and while it’s fun it’s not the reason we were in Hong Kong.  [Image] So, we went back to Kowloon and visited out friends at the Jade Market before exploring even further. I bought a brass (?) monkeyman thing which has some significance which I never learned; I also bargained for this “antique” urn. Gifts are coming, people. That very heavy monkeyman is headed for one of you very soon.  [Image] In Nha Trang, I finally broke down and bought a creepy waving cat. Godzilla seemed very happy to finally have a playmate.  [Image] Tsingtao Brewery in Qingdao, China… Marina and I toured it with a private guide and spent less than one tenth what the same tour would’ve cost if we’d done it through the ship with hundreds of complaining passengers. [Image] Aha! So now I know. In order to actually be a swastika, it has to go to the right. The peace sign goes to the left. At least, that’s what the brewery people told me. Either way, it’s probably not the best logo for your beer. Unless you’re marketing entirely to skinheads, and that’s just a niche market. I suppose you could air commercials on Fox News, though.  [Image] This was at the brewery, and I have no idea what it means except that it will be the title of my novel.  [Image] The amazing special beer peanuts they make and hand out at the Tsingtao brewery.  [Image] Beer for me, beer for Dustin. Gifts!  [Image] For 30 yuan, they’ll take a picture of you and have it on a bottle of fresh unfiltered beer before you’re done with the tour. 30 yuan is like 5 bucks, by the way. The unfiltered beer we sampled was SO good… and I don’t like beer too well… that I want to drink this despite all sentimentality. I won’t.  [Image] Marina, sampling the unfiltered fresh beer. [Image] Some bespectacled geek lost in the hops.  [Image] In Singapore, setting up a Godzilla based desecration of a Hindu shrine. [Image] Suspiciously drinking a street coffee thing as Darrel approves.  [Image] The aforementioned Godzilla vs. Eastern Religion [Image] In Xingang: Creepiest sculpture ever, made worse by small child running into frame and reaching for inappropriate area. [Image] Xingang sculptures… needlessly detailed. Trust me.  [Image] Don’t worry, Xingang; Godzilla’s got this.  [Image] Disgusting seeming Starbucks foods found all over Asia: Black Sesame Green Tea roll [Image] Cuttlefish Cheese Bread  [Image] Black bean Muffin  [Image] …more to follow. See you in Alaska!