July 14, 2025

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASHINGTON, USA

Today  I went exploring what life of a resident is like living on Bainbridge Island, off the coast of Seattle. A question I have pondered ever since watching Grey's Anatomy! Today, I am getting insight from a new local resident, Peggy Frisbee, my buddy has recently relocated here from the Philadelphia area.

Phil and Kim Cleary wanted to join me as they had never been there, despite Kim growing up in the area, in her early years. So the three of us got the ferry over from downtown Seattle and took in the fabulous views.The ferry ride takes roughly 35  minutes and the ferry is rarely on time, per Peggy. The cost is $10.25, but you only pay for one way, the return from Bainbridge is free.  Peggy picked us up on the Bainbridge side and gave us a driving tour of the island.

After seeing some of the neighborhood we went to Peggy's rental home to meet her dogs. She is all boxed up to move 7/5/25. Then we went for a hike in the Grand Forest - this lovely oasis is just minutes from Peggy's house, in the middle of the island.

Next we went to see Peggy's new Home! It's lovely, can't believe it was a prefab home. It was just renovated and updated by a local architect and he really enhanced the property. The mature landscaping around it really completes the whole thing. Also above the garage there is a nice one bedroom rental unit that Peggy can put on AIRBNB and have a supplemental income. I think she is going to be very happy here and can't wait to come back and see it after she has settled in with all her unique pieces and touches.

Time was quickly passing for us on this special day. We went to see a local sculpture on our ride into town, then picked up some goodies at the local super market and then had to hurry back on the ferry to make our way back to Ship for our departure from Seattle.

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ENTERING HONG KONG HARBOR

By Pat Patrick • September 1, 2026
On Saturday August 29, 2026 we achieved another historic milestone on this circumnavigation of the World , we cruised into Hong Kong Harbor. Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. The land encompassed by Hong Kong is confusing. It includes part of the southern coast of mainland China, just below Shenzhen, Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories . Looking at a map helps, but the rules changed so many times! I asked my buddy Chat several times, to tell me if what I was looking at was the Hong Kong that the British had owned for years. The answer was never straight forward!

HA LONG BAY, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • August 31, 2026
Ha Long Bay in Vietnam is one of those bucket list places I have had in my sights for years. It's the iconic picture in my mind's eye, whenever I think of Vietnam . We had made plans to go with 8 others on a brand new, swanky Red Dragon Junk boat for a harbor cruise and overnight stay, but sadly the weather did not cooperate the whole 4 days we were in port. No ships were permitted to sail, per the local government. Many of us were bummed! This is typhoon session and there was a lot of rain and high winds our first couple of days - we were hoping it would blow out the last day and we could at least do a day trip but no luck! 

HAI VAN PASS to HUE, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • August 30, 2026
To get to the final stop on our Vietnam FUN Tour in Hue, we had our driver take us on the scenic route called the Hai Van Pass. This 3 hour drive took us back through Da Nang and then into mountains and along coast for what is generally a very scenic route. Unfortunately for us, it was mainly covered in clouds and fog.