May 7, 2025

CARTAGENA - DAY 2

Scott and I had a loose or fluid plan as we like to say here on the ODYSSEY  to go to the ROSARIO ISLANDS but we were not clear on the the transport modes and their varying cost ( ferry, private or group boat) nor their schedules and we had to be back  by 5 to depart. So plan B was just to go to local Cartagena Beach, over near the High rises and Hotels. We got a late start and then further delayed in the aviary of the Port - there were albino or white peacocks! Never seen or heard about that. And we were also looking for evasive slothes. Time and cost were not on our side to go to Rosario, so Plan B was put into action. We ordered an Uber. When we got to beach we rented a tented area and lounge chairs. Shortly after settling in, a parade of services and vendors started. It got quite comical, at one point, when I had one guy making me a custom blue beaded ankle bracelet and then 2 ladies, which the jeweler said was his wife and her friend, appeared out of nowhere and started giving us both foot and leg massages.Then a rapper showed up and made a custom song  for us all to enjoy. All kinds of food and drinks were also being offered. We had to say firm no thank you and no gracias to get them to subside.The rest of the afternoon was relaxing and Callie came by to join us - my last time to see her before she traveled home.

KUANTAN, MALAYSIA

By Pat Patrick • October 12, 2026
Just the other day a friend asked me if I got enough down time while living this lifestyle. My answer was "you have to make it !" In the beginning, it was go, go, go, every port. We had lots of FOMO ( fear of missing out ) and we tried to cram in as much as possible at every port. Sea days, were our only down time and there were never enough. It was a tad exhausting. Now two years into this life, I can say there are some ports that just don't call me and I opt to get other things done. Kuantan, Malaysia was one of the Ports. I never got off the ship, either day we were here. I intended to this morning, but we had storms with loud thunder late into the night and then was awoken by a crew alarm around 6:45am. My energy was low, there were shuttle issues, town was an hour ride away and there is alot of air pollution, ( due to neighboring Indonesia burning organic materials, in preparation for the upcoming monsoon season ). So I bagged my plans and continued working on my never ending TO DO LIST!

Sad Passing of ODYSSEY Shipmate

By Pat Patrick • October 11, 2026
During our two years of sailing we have had several Shipmates come and go for a variety of reasons. Their health, has sadly been the reason for many departures. Cindy Harvey , would have loved to have lived out her days here on the Odyssey and even bought a second cabin and had an adjoining door added, to have a care provider, stay with her full time. However, Cindy's limited mobility, pain and confinement got to be too much - so she left us a few months ago. She went to an assisted living facility, on the coast of Oregon, to be near her family. Tragically she fell, was trying to recover, slipped into a coma and sadly passed away this week.

SANCTUARY OF TRUTH MUSEUM, CHONBURI, THAILAND

By Pat Patrick • October 8, 2026
The Sanctuary of Truth Museum is the world's largest hand carved wooden castle, located on the coast of Pattaya, Chonburi Province, Thailand . Conceived in 1981 by Thai visionary Khun Lek Viriyaphun the structure is built entirely from 4 types of wood - Teak, Mai Daeng, Mai Takien & Mai Panchaat and put together using Thai nailless wood joinery - mainly dovetails, carrying poles and tongue & groove. We started the tour in the workshop where the artisan, mainly woman, were hard at work. Since conception, the Museum has been an active construction site, thus we all wore hardhats! The artisans continue handcarving sculptures and columns, daily and will most likely continue for years to come.