I am in Singapore today. After 5 visits it is hard to see something new here, but it is always nice to refresh the memories of old places. There is a subway station 500 m from the cruise pier but I decided to walk – first to the controversial Marina Bay hotel (they charge here 35 SGD if you want to take the lift to the observation deck) It is cloudy today so I decided not to go! Then I took overpass from this hotel to the Marina Bay Garden where they “planted” huge trees made of metall. Yes, they are huge… For the canopy walk between them they charge 18 SGD… To see flowers under the big dome costs 35 SGD and similary priced is Cloud Forest under the second dome. I too the walk to the old center of Singapore to photograph again The Merlion – icon of Singapore. After the last reconstruction it looks great and they built an extra pier to photograph from… From the bridges and Chinatown I walked back to the ship. Great day – it was not raining!

Greetings from Ko Samui dear friends!. It is 27 deg Celsius here, no rain but cloudy. Already in the morning I received wishes from the captain and crew with the bottle of champagne. They announced also delivery of special birthday cake during dinner. I spent the day on self-organized excursion to the temples of Koh Samui and nice waterfall. I use free wifi in the street cafe. It is time to come back to the ship by tender. Let’s celebrate!

Thank you dear friends for all the birthday wishes you sent to me! 🙂

As a gold member I was invited for the captains cocktail. It was a good chance to introduce myself to the Master and our hotel director Marco (picture above). Captain Oratio (my 50th captain) was impressed by my travel achievements. He introduced his officers. There were nice music and cocktails for everybody. I met my friends from Macedonia – I met them year ago in Persian Gulf – lovely people!

Phu My is a big port on the Saigon River. Usually travellers go from here to visit Ho Chi Minh. But since is 1,5 h drive and I visited Saigon already twice I decided to visit the area around the port. I found two German companions and we rent a taxi (10 USD pp) to see beautiful buddhist monastery, catholic church and mountains viewpoint. This was good idea! See my nice pictures! Tomorrow we have day at sea before reaching Ko Samui in Thailand the day after. Ahoy!

This is my first visit in Nha Trang. We are tendering here from the ship to Ana Marina jetty on the coast. Sea is rough and sky cloudy. But humid and warm – 24 deg. It is few kms from this marina to the places of interest in the city. Ship offers shuttle for 17 euro RT but I found companions to go by shared private car not only to the city, but also to 4 main attractions. We paid 20 USD pp and spent 20 min at each location. Number one are Cham Towers (photo above) extra entrance fee 3000 dong was paid here. Inside they perform also national music and dances. Then ee visited French, nicely decorated cathedral where they were singing during the Sunday mass. Finally we went to the temple of white Buddha lotated on the hill. A lot of locals here. The last stop was a coastal view point in the way bakk to the ship. I also used free internet in Ana Marina lobby. Great day, but sorry – no sun…

Regular city bus 20A took me for 7,50 HKD from upper Nathan Road directly to the ai Tak cruise terminal. It is huge and modern construction. I skipped long line for check in using my GOLD passenger status. Soon I eas on the ship. It is small (3000 pax) and cozy Costa Serena – the only Costa ship I didn’t sailong yet. My cabin – last expensive inside is on the deck 7. I already met few people from the crew who remembere from the pther Costa ships. Let’s sail!

Half an hour before midnight I found myself on the bank of Victoria Harbour waiting together with few thousands people for New year to come. I was lucky to meet there travellers from Czech Republic – lovely family from Hradec Kralowe. The skyline of Hong Kong Island was nicely Illuminated. Illuminated small ships were passing by but sorry – no fireworks this year. That’s because last November tragedy, when 161 pepole died in the fire of the skyscrapers. A minute before midnight we started countdown with huge Ooooh! at 24.00! I embraced my new friends wishing Katerina, Magdalena and Indra Happy New Year!

On the 1st January they organize here Lion and Dragon Festival. I attended it. Fantastic event! Orgy of colors, dance and drums music around Art Museum area. I took few hundered pictures – enjoy some of them. And happy New Year 2026 to all of you dear Friends! 🙂

Sorry, because the street noise I did not sleep well last night. But in the morning I was ready for the city walk. The sun was shining with moderate wind promising new, interesting experiences. After self- prepared breakfast I went down watching Chinese tailors working in other apartaments since morning. Hong Kong is divided by two by Victoria Harbor – wide canal full of little boats. I live in Kowloon. On the other side is Hong Kong Central, situated on the island. Along the coast on both sides are promenades with nice buildings and sculptures (Bruce Lee on this side is most popular). Since colonial times a fleet of old ferry boats (Star Ferries) is carrying people from Kowloon to Central and back. A ride cost 5 HKD one way. But today is a special day so I travelled for free! On the other side for me the main attraction were little, double-decker toy-trams. I love them, so I took a long ride just for 3,30 HKD (less than half a dollar!). You pay the fare at exit by card. Enjoyable trip!

I expected the great view when we were landing, but sorry – it was foggy and the sky was rather grey. The new airport is huge and we were taxing more than 15 minutes to the terminal. Everybody was happy to get of the A350 plane after 11 hours! The way to the immigrations through the long and wide corridors took me almost half an hour. Female officers do not ask any questions, do not stamp your passport… You are receiving little piece of paper “allowed to remain for 3 months” and you go to the huge lobby with some seasonal decorations. Santa is present even here! Then I followed the signs to the bus stops and boarded A21 double decker. One hour ride to Kowloon cost me 14,60 HKD charged from my card. Hong Kong visible from the window was more modern than last time! I disembarked on Nathan Rd at Cameroon and with a help of locals found Mirador Mansions. During my first visit I stayed at famous, cramp and dirty Chunking Mansion. This one is similar, but cleaner. Premium GH occupies few apartments on 15 and 16 floor. Let’s rest!

The sun was shining when I was boarding Lufthansa flight in Gdansk airport. This was 1,5-hour flight to Frankfurt. We started on time. During the flight they offered for free only small bottle of water and a sweet… We landed at 4 pm on schedule. I was forced to walk a long way through the labyrinth of corridors and stairs to the distant wing Z. When I finally reached my gate Z25 I received the email from Lufthansa: your onward flight is delayed by one day. Please book the hotel. Oh, my God! I was walking almost 1 km to the LH office. They rode the message and said: sorry, it is mistake, you will depart this evening!… Are there idiots working in Lufthansa? I hope that it is the last unpleasant adventure… I am waiting to board 11,5-hour flight to Hong Kong. The night will be 7 hours shorter… Good night!