May 5, 2025

ARUBA - Miller's Departure 

To cap off our FUN week with the Miller's, Bosco suggested we go to one of his favorite restaurants in Aruba, Faro Blanco (or the white lighthouse) at the north end of island. The meal was delicious, lots of homemade pasta and it seemed every table was celebrating somebody's birthday. Not to be left out, when I stepped out to use the restroom, the Miller's and Bosco plotted to celebrate my upcoming Birthday. So upon my return to the table, I was surprised by a flaming torch in a piece of cake with singing wait staff! A nice surprise! 

The next day Scott & Callie went with me to the Miller's hotel and beach club to hang out for our final afternoon together.  We swam, joked and soaked up the sun, telling all kinds of stories! Super relaxing!

Sheri caught this photo of our Ship right before it pulled out of Aruba port around 7 pm. The Miller's ended their vacation the next day after para sailing.

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.
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.
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.