October 14, 2024

CADIZ, SPAIN! My second time here - think it was Mardi Gras 2008 last time?

View from my Balcony this morning! Such an easy access port. We literally walk across the street and right in the heart of town! Most Cities are considerable distance from port. We were off right after breakfast and tried a new app GuruWalk for free walking tours. Just tip guide what ever you like when tour done. Was fun doing with several other residents.

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Walking tour was 1.5 hours and Danny gave us lots of insights, history and tidbits. Loved resourcefulness of reusing French Cannons as bollards / corner guards. The Tsunami in Cadiz was same one that hit Lisbon ( we just heard about 2 days ago) ;  killing over 1000 in Lisbon, but only 40 in Cadiz due to Mary's intersession. Also found out that all the cobble stones we were walking over was the ballast that was inside all the ships when they initially came to Spain and had to unload to take there bounties home. Again smart recycling! Church was made of Limestone and crushed Oyster shells! if you live inside walled city you say your from Cadiz; if live outside walls say Cadiz Cadiz and if further out Cadiz Cadiz Cadiz. According to Danny used all the time for distinction. Couple more shots as I made my way back to ship, late lunch on back deck and Pickleball.

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    Local Candy Shop

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    Another shot of Cathedral

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    Entry to town, Founder statue

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    Suspension bridge as we left port

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PORT DEARAU, FIJI - Naidiri Village

By Patricia Patrick • December 4, 2025
Today we went to see the coastal Naidiri Village that has recently won the Top Prize in global restoration, for their ocean reef project. The reef restoration was borne out of necessity to solve their dwindling food/ main protein source for the village, of fish. It was started by 2 of the villages rugby players and today is run by the local teenagers (mostly boys) in the village. It was great seeing how empowered and proud they were of their amazing efforts.

LAUTOKA, FIJI

By Patricia Patrick • December 1, 2025
The port agent offered several trips to areas around Lautoka . We chose the trip to Serenity Island Resort which included van and boat transfers and lunch. It was a really nice day enjoying the sun, reef, pool, turtles and amenities!

RIVER TUBING DOWN THE NAVUA, SUVA, FIJI

By Patricia Patrick • December 1, 2025
I organized a group tour for a fun day experience. We had a great day despite the rain that decided to join in. We started with a 45 minute van ride out through the city, into the countryside. Then we got in long boats and went up river to a waterfall, some swam or cheered on the guides to cliff dive. Then back in the boats to visit Sabata Village where 50 family members live as a community existing totally off the land, along the river. Next was a quick boat ride to our BBQ lunch spot. After lunch we got to tube down the river, through light rapids, for just about an hour. We ganged our tubes together with the guide - we had a chain of 14 in my group and the guides totally blew us away singing hymns for a good chunk of the journey. It was truly moving in that place with the rain drizzling and all of us linked together. Loved it!