Glad you enjoyed it!

You want at least 50 feet of mono top shot on your braid. It makes it easier for the mates to leader fish and untangle lines.

Great experience!

Glad it showed you some things you hadn't seen before.

Thanks for the nice emoji.

Shenzhen was in the low 80s starting the trip and humidity was ok in early November, not sure about September. Temps and humidity lower as we cruised North. The crowds on the port tours were manageable considering it was well into the fall shoulder season. At some places it was just the Viking groups. I do know you want to avoid touring the week of National Day (1 Oct) as everyone is on holiday. I am putting together a video on the land portion (Xian/Beijing) that will address your last question. Should have that out in 10 days.

Excellent video. I’ve been to Tianjin, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. It brought back memories. I’d like to go again.

We will likely get back there again. Visa is good for 10 years so we will take advantage of that.

Thanks for the thumbs up!

You are very welcome!

I should have the land video out in 10 days...lots of footage and editing.

Thanks for watching and the nice comment.

Buying insurance should be based on risk of health issues, family emergencies or anything else that may preclude you from going on the trip. Only you know your personal situation. We did not buy insurance for this river cruise on Viking, but we did buy insurance for a Viking China Cruise that we just took.

Yes, the sailors loot and bar tab is fantastic!

Our pleasure!

You bet

Funny how the population doubles here at Christmas with all those knocking up north.

Thanks for watching.

Thanks!

Yes, formerly the Sea Legs which I believe was ported out of Hollywood Florida. I understand there was some owner relationship between the Sea Legs and the American Patriot owners Ralph and Nikki.

Ralph Hawkins and his wife Nikki own the company that includes the American Patriot and American Hunter. The American Hunter was formerly the Amberjack V out of New Jersey and was operated as a dinner cruise vessel. The boat was completely overhauled into the American Patriot.

Correction The American Patriot was formerly the Amberjack V and the American Hunter was formerly the Sea Leggs.

Yes, a beautiful country and Porto is really special.

They have a spot that has produced in the past so hopefully the fish are there. Go heavy on the gear for these guys.

Thanks for the comment

Hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did.

The excursion bought through Virgin included a bottle of water and a website link to the photos taken by the guides on the trip which you could download at no additional cost. The water bottle had to be finished, and bottle disposed of prior to the first jump.

Glad you enjoyed it!

That was great !

Thanks!

80% was on my GoPros (GoPro 10 & GoPro Max 360), Some footage was on my Iphone and the drone shots were stock footage from a subscription. Good luck on your cruise planning.

Have a great trip.

Thanks for watching.

Thanks for watching!

You are welcome.

Glad it was helpful!

Big tuna then. Hope the weather is good for you. Tight lines!

@@PrydeofTheVillages praying for my, for some reason, wahoo! Yet to land one…… 2 days offshore and 1 day inshore. We’re staying in the tuna house and have the 42’ yellowfin. Same same. Rad man1. I’m enjoying your video.

Lots of room in the Tuna House and only a short drive to the Marina. Closest grocery store is in Port Sulphur, so make sure you bring everything you need. Also let me know how the trip goes as I am looking to book again for May 2025.

@@PrydeofTheVillages thx for the info!

Not on that trip, but they do catch them on occasion.

Very nice. Make sure you spend it all and have fun on the cruise.

I fish a lot in the gulf and sharks, stingrays and jellyfish are out there. True that more shark attacks occur on the Atlantic coast, but three attacks occurred in two days in Walton County in June of this year.

Thanks for watching.

Our pleasure!

@@PrydeofTheVillages have great day

Three years ago, Crystal Lagoon Corporation announced plans to build five of these Lagoons in Central Florida to include one in "The Villages." While this news was amplified by news outlets there was no confirmation by The Villages developer. Crystal Lagoon then announced the first of the Central Florida projects would be outside of Disney World. That project (Evermore Resort) has been completed. Building one of these lagoons in conjunction with The Villages Middleton family development would have made the most sense, but that did not occur. Which makes me believe that it was just an aspirational idea on the part of Crystal Lagoons without the concurrence of The Villages developer.

Welcome to your next chapter, have fun!

Have fun!

Yes we did, Ruddesheim was great stop on our cruise.

Enjoy your cruise!

@PrydeofTheVillages thank you!!!

Got to get some use out of it. Thankfully it still fits LOL.

Thank you very much!

Buckeyes are always welcome. I think it will be their year to keep the national championship in the Big 10.

It was $895 for that trip.

We were fishing for snappers on the first day in 50-60 feet of water 10-15 miles offshore. On the second day we were fishing for tuna 60-70 miles out in 3000 feet of water.

@@PrydeofTheVillages nice trip

@@PrydeofTheVillages I'm good with my boat for 20/25 miles, but I'd be nervous during 70 miles. I'd have to do a trip like you guys did.

I understand that the yellowfin tuna come within 20-25 miles of the coast during the April-May timeframe. Of course spring winds can make trips rather bumpy.

"Making Bait": West Coast term for the process of catching live bait for Yellowfin Tuna. I probably should not have used the term as it is likely not widely understood on the Gulf Coast. Nevertheless, the Captain and mate understood what I meant.

It was good, but could have been better if the weather and tuna had cooperated more.

Yes, it is a nice lake.