May 7, 2025

COLON, PANAMA

This is a repeat Port - we were here right before Christmas last year. A couple significant things happened this time in Colon. First my travel buddy for the last 6 months left, Yes Scottie went home to San Francisco. Not sure when and if he will return! Ok a little dramatic - he has a reservation to come back August 28th, but he has a lot to sort through at home. Make haste buddy!

Second, Angel had a Birthday and his partner Eddie got permission to do a private small silent disco night and I was luck to be amongst the 30 invited guest!! These guys live across the hall from me and are two of my favorite people! Angel a retired hair dresser is one of the kindest gentlest soul I know. Eddie has so much energy for life it's contagious!

Third, these two neighbors and also on my top people on board ship list, got Married in a civil service in Canada. Congratulations Ron ( taller one) and Pete! They are having another fancy family and friend wedding in New York State next month. Anxious for their return and to hear all about it. Ron is an interior designer and we share a passion for architecture.

OFF SHORE OF COSTA RICA - ANGIE & GIAN'S WEDDING

By Patricia Patrick • May 8, 2025
On April 30th, Angie and Gian , a shipboard sweet couple that meet during the dry dock delays in Belfast , seven months ago, got married with just 28 close family and friends, at sunset in the Observatory Lounge. They then did another " Tying the knot ceremony" for the entire ship on May 1st on the pool deck, officiated by Captain Val . After each service was a special dinner one in the Thistle Dining room and the other at the Outdoor deck of Palms Restaurant. The above video done by VVR Marketing shows the highlights. I ended up being the Wedding Resident Coordinator for the couple and I have a ton of the behind the scene photos of how it all came about. It was a lot of work, but I got to interact with so many great people and really enjoyed the challenge, logistics and organization of the whole thing! It brought so many residents together, in a common bond, it was really something special to have played such a major role.

COSTA RICA - PUNTA ARENAS

By Patricia Patrick • May 8, 2025
COSTA RICA - PUNTA ARENAS

SAN BLAS ISLANDS, PANAMA

By Patricia Patrick • May 7, 2025
I had never heard of the 365 San Blas Islands and cays before, but once I did and read & saw how remote, untouched and beautiful they are, I was very excited to check out. Only 49 of islands are inhabited. They lie off the north coast of Panama, east of the canal. A part of the Guna Yala district along the Caribbean coast of Panama and home to the indigenous Kuna people. The Kuna live in huts made of straw and bamboo, with a few solar panels thrown in. They have rejected commercial tourism and development and mainly survive by selling their handcrafted wares ( textile art forms called Mola ) passing tourist, in either the ports surrounding, or cruisers passing through their islands. I was hoping to be able to shuttle over to Isla Perro ( Dog Island) because the snorkeling was suppose to be amazing. However the water swells in the islands were too much for us to safely leave the area closest to where the ship was anchored. The Captain and crew struggled to even get the tenders safely in the water for us, but they prevailed and we were able to go ashore, to one of the larger islands, for a few hours but they didn't want us to stray any further, in case we needed to pull up anchor quickly. I did enjoy meeting and seeing the Kuna people at their homes. The women are so tiny and the children so cute, sweet and curious.