May 18, 2025

ACAPULCO, MEXICO

We got news in the morning that the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, their first female president who won with an 85% approval rating, was visiting ACALPULCO and that she was going to be in the Port and wanted to say Hi to us! The port agent originally thought it would be at 11 am, so we stuck around to see her. But when that time came and went, we decided to continue off the ship to the beach as the certainty was waning. She did show up closer to 12 and some fellow passengers caught her below in the van and on the bridge. The crowds yelled we love you and she yelled back I love you more! Acapulco needs the investment of cash and positive attention, the town has been beat up by hurricanes in 1997, 2003, 2004, 2023 and 2024 ( this one was very severe - it hit at night and didn't leave any glass window intake!). In addition the cartels presence until 2018 has also had its toll on the once grand city. Claudia also went by new Hospital and Health care center that is about to open very shortly.

Link to video w Mexican President

We walked to a local beach but it was so crowded, we ended up taking a taxi to another beach further around the bay. The water was breaking very roughly, due the high swells we expirenced when coming into Port.  But the cool breeze and shade was lovely to lounge in and pass the afternoon heat away! Bonnie Steve and I chatted away the afternoon and caught up on the last year of happenings.

ACAPULCO at night is much prettier!

KUANTAN, MALAYSIA

By Pat Patrick • October 12, 2026
Just the other day a friend asked me if I got enough down time while living this lifestyle. My answer was "you have to make it !" In the beginning, it was go, go, go, every port. We had lots of FOMO ( fear of missing out ) and we tried to cram in as much as possible at every port. Sea days, were our only down time and there were never enough. It was a tad exhausting. Now two years into this life, I can say there are some ports that just don't call me and I opt to get other things done. Kuantan, Malaysia was one of the Ports. I never got off the ship, either day we were here. I intended to this morning, but we had storms with loud thunder late into the night and then was awoken by a crew alarm around 6:45am. My energy was low, there were shuttle issues, town was an hour ride away and there is alot of air pollution, ( due to neighboring Indonesia burning organic materials, in preparation for the upcoming monsoon season ). So I bagged my plans and continued working on my never ending TO DO LIST!

Sad Passing of ODYSSEY Shipmate

By Pat Patrick • October 11, 2026
During our two years of sailing we have had several Shipmates come and go for a variety of reasons. Their health, has sadly been the reason for many departures. Cindy Harvey , would have loved to have lived out her days here on the Odyssey and even bought a second cabin and had an adjoining door added, to have a care provider, stay with her full time. However, Cindy's limited mobility, pain and confinement got to be too much - so she left us a few months ago. She went to an assisted living facility, on the coast of Oregon, to be near her family. Tragically she fell, was trying to recover, slipped into a coma and sadly passed away this week.

SANCTUARY OF TRUTH MUSEUM, CHONBURI, THAILAND

By Pat Patrick • October 8, 2026
The Sanctuary of Truth Museum is the world's largest hand carved wooden castle, located on the coast of Pattaya, Chonburi Province, Thailand . Conceived in 1981 by Thai visionary Khun Lek Viriyaphun the structure is built entirely from 4 types of wood - Teak, Mai Daeng, Mai Takien & Mai Panchaat and put together using Thai nailless wood joinery - mainly dovetails, carrying poles and tongue & groove. We started the tour in the workshop where the artisan, mainly woman, were hard at work. Since conception, the Museum has been an active construction site, thus we all wore hardhats! The artisans continue handcarving sculptures and columns, daily and will most likely continue for years to come.