We arrived in Fukuoka to hide from the typhoon until it passes and we can resume our scheduled itinerary. It’s been downgraded to a tropical storm and there was some light rain but nothing to write home about. Jennie and I had booked a spa afternoon as we were originally going to be at sea so we didn’t even bother leaving the ship. Fukuoka can be Fukuoka-ed! A luxurious restful afternoon of massage, facial, hamman and hair - a blissful four hours and basically free as Ponant spoils us with ship credits that must be spent. But first, room service and breakfast of champions.

Finally we got some waves as we sail down the eastern side of Kyushu, and the sick bags were loaded around the ship, but disappointingly it never really eventuated. They had expected 2-3 metres waves and 30 knots but I don’t think we got there. Drat.

Frocked up for the first gala dinner, then we hit the bars until stumps just after midnight. It was here that it got disgraceful… I had permission to play the pianos but apparently not in the middle of the night! We’re not on Charcot anymore, Toto! By 1.30 the hotel director was summoned to shut me up and escort me to my cabin. Thank god it wasn’t the staff captain!! This is the sanitised version… needless to say an apology tour will follow.