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.

SOMEWHERE IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA .....

By Pat Patrick • June 1, 2026
Somewhere in the South China Sea, i n a galaxy far, far away ... was the Odyssey and a bunch of fun loving travelers....who had an idea for a fun cocktail party!

CORON, PHILIPPINES

By Pat Patrick • May 30, 2026
Yesterday we joined in with many of our fellow residents to take in some of the many water spots around Coron . We signed up through Get Your Guide, others used Trip Advisor and they both contracted with Psalms Travel Services in Coron. As I've explained before, figuring out our excursions in each port, is a big time suck for me. We prefer to find local venders without having to go through the big agencies (because you usually can get better service, pricing and customization) but sometimes it is just easier to stick with the big guys, when the excursion is super popular. Psalms turned out to be an excellent operator and I laughed when I saw they had used the below images on their Facebook page today. Didn't realize my pink dry bag stood out so much!

CORON, PHILIPPINES

By Pat Patrick • May 30, 2026
We are currently docked at the port of CORON , in the Palawan archipelago islands, of the Philippines . While the port itself is nothing special, and the surrounding town is hardly thriving, the people here are amazingly friendly, joyful and so happy to be around! You can see from below, they have a ton of hotels and restaurants but mostly it's their water actives that attract a fair number of tourist. Known for their crystal clear water, dramatic limestone cliffs and powdery white sand beaches. June is the start of the rainy season, but so far the weather has been good.