December 16, 2025

Apia is the relaxed low rise capital of Samoa, spread along a sheltered harbor on the north coast of Upolu. This island is the 2nd largest, behind Savai'i, of the 8 islands which make up the Independent State of Samoa (note: 4 of the remaining 6 islands are uninhabited.) Upolu has an international airport and port, unlike Savai'i, and it's population is roughly 39,000 of the total 220,000 in all of Samoa. The Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the most striking architecture in the harbor. I was excited we were finally in a port on a Sunday, to be able to part take in a Mass and it was so special. It's a gorgeous church inside and it was open air with a nice breeze. The mass was in English and the choir was really talented, with guitar instrumentals and the words projected onto a screen, so we could sing along! They did a lot of my favorite hymns and the people were super friendly.  We really felt welcome and it did wonders for my soul!

This is part of the residents that attended Mass together - there were at least another 10 that didn't make it into photo!

The town was quiet and immaculate, tourism is their biggest business, but they only average 3 to 4 cruise ships in a month. The island is a string of villages, each with their own chiefs, leadership and rules. Several extended families make up one village, with  between 50 to 150 people typically, per village. Crime is very low mainly because religion is so strongly followed here and family values are so strong. It is the rainy season here in the South Pacific, so the days are in the 80's, humid in the afternoons especially and rain showers and down pours happen frequently. I walked the harbor area with my buddy Sherrie on Saturday. Below are some the sites of Apia.

View more

MAGNETIC ISLAND - KOALA'S

By Patricia Patrick • February 15, 2026
We got up at 6:45am to get to National Park Forts Walk trail in the hope of seeing koalas . Prior walkers mark trails with tree branches pointing in the direction of their sighting and we were luck enough to see 3 markers in our first hour of hiking. It is so stinking hot and humid the success we had made it bearable. The koala population on the island started with 20 brought over in 1930, to escape fur hunters. Today, the island boast 800 to 1000, and they are so cute and drowsy. They need 20 hours of sleep a day! The early morning is when they are the most active.

MAGNETIC ISLAND, AUSTRALIA

By Patricia Patrick • February 14, 2026
Just off the coast of Townsville, Australia is a special little island (that used to be part of mainland, hundreds of thousands years ago). The island was formed by molten granite that was pushed to the earth's surface with volcanic force.Over time the volcanic overlay weathered away leaving an extraordinary landscape of rounded domes and boulders, many as big as a house and spectcularly perched. Over Seventy Percent of the center of the Island is a National Park. There is lots of wildlife here too - koalas, rock wallabies, snakes & birds.

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA

By Patricia Patrick • February 14, 2026
This is my third time in CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA and I really enjoy how walkable, clean and charming it is. The waterfront esplanade and lagoon area is a nice walk day or night. We had 2 nights here in the waterfront Shangri La Marina Hotel while waiting for the Ship to arrive and then 2 additional days in Port.