July 30, 2025

BERING STRAIT CROSSING, ALASKA,USA to JAPAN

I am so happy to be caught up on my blog now. We are on our way to Japan now, from Alaska, across the Bering Strait and I am so looking forward to these 10 days to get several items accomplished. I just noticed several edits did not come through on my prior post in Alaska, I have had some wifi issues - so please revisit those post for updates!


Also I came up with a work around idea to get a chance to hear from you after you read my blog post. I am going to link them to Facebook and you can check them from there going forward and be able to comment, which I would truly welcome. I hate posting and then hearing nothing but crickets in return!


Also, please note we are all very safe here in the open sea despite the Tsunami Warnings you may be hearing for this part of the world. Being on a ship in the open waters is one of the safest places to be. I pray the areas affected are ok - we hear the second port we are headed to in Japan, Hachinohe,  is on the news now.

2nd YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF SAILING THE WORLD

By Pat Patrick • October 1, 2026
WOW!! I can't believe it has been two years of sailing around the World already for me and my fellow shipmates on the Villa Vie Odyssey! We left Belfast, Ireland back on September 30, 2024 and it has been such a great adventure to date! We have been to 201 different ports, some more than once, during those two years, with much more to come!

APOPO, SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

By Pat Patrick • September 29, 2026
Before coming to Cambodia , I sadly have to admit I was unaware of the landmine problems they face. On our first night in Siem Reap, where we hiked up the hill to try and see the sunset views, there was a small band of men playing instruments and our tuk tuk driver explained to me they were victims of landmine explosions who had lost limbs or their sight and were trying to make money via donations to support their families.

Ta Prohm Temple ( AKA Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), CAMBODIA

By Pat Patrick • September 28, 2026
I rallied for our last temple of the morning, because I heard this one was unique and I think it was my favorite. Ta Prohm was built starting in 1186 by King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery and university dedicated to the king's mother. It was left mostly un-restored so that huge banyan and silk cotton trees grow directly over and through the walls. In 2001, the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie was filmed here.