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.

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.