June 6, 2026

Due to stormy weather, we got an additional four days in Coron, Philippines since our intended destination at Boracay Island was an anchorage where our tenders would not be able to operate safely in the projected wave swells. No worries, we had been to Boracay before and there was lots to do in Coron. Many residents had good reviews of a local restaurant called The Lobster King, so we went with good friends to celebrate my buddy Stacy's Birthday!

At Lobster King you pick your lobster fresh from tanks and they steam them and split open for you, with a variety of toppings. Bosco and I split a lobster with a garlic & butter topping, garlic rice and tempura shrimp. We also shared some calamari, onion rings, sautéed spinach and grilled fish with the rest of the group. The place is casual and lively and even though the power dropped out all over town several times, no one seemed to notice or care. It was raining off and on but we still had a fun night.

Until I saw the above in the tanks at Lobster King I never knew that a ROCK LOBSTER is actually an edible clawless crustacean - also known as a spiny lobster. I just thought they were in the song from the B52's back in 1978!

On the way back to the Port we got sporty Hello Kitty tuk tuk and a nice view of the city Coron sign and Crucifix atop the hill.

2nd YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF SAILING THE WORLD

By Pat Patrick • October 1, 2026
WOW!! I can't believe it has been two years of sailing around the World already for me and my fellow shipmates on the Villa Vie Odyssey! We left Belfast, Ireland back on September 30, 2024 and it has been such a great adventure to date! We have been to 201 different ports, some more than once, during those two years, with much more to come!

APOPO, SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

By Pat Patrick • September 29, 2026
Before coming to Cambodia , I sadly have to admit I was unaware of the landmine problems they face. On our first night in Siem Reap, where we hiked up the hill to try and see the sunset views, there was a small band of men playing instruments and our tuk tuk driver explained to me they were victims of landmine explosions who had lost limbs or their sight and were trying to make money via donations to support their families.

Ta Prohm Temple ( AKA Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), CAMBODIA

By Pat Patrick • September 28, 2026
I rallied for our last temple of the morning, because I heard this one was unique and I think it was my favorite. Ta Prohm was built starting in 1186 by King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery and university dedicated to the king's mother. It was left mostly un-restored so that huge banyan and silk cotton trees grow directly over and through the walls. In 2001, the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie was filmed here.