July 31, 2025
CROSSING The PACIFIC OCEAN to JAPAN
Two significant things happened yesterday. As reported below, by Cruise hive ,we were the closest cruise ship to the epicenter of the earthquake and tsunami. We were fine and in fact felt & saw nothing, because we are in the depths of the Bering Sea.
Second, we crossed the International Date Line, IDL, so I am now in the future, of I believe, all my readers. Let me know if you want help with your daily WORDLE puzzles.I also have to admit figuring out what time it is in Philly, and coordinating my calls there has been a bit of a mind bend, between the daily hour changes here on the crossing with additional twist from day light savings. Below is a chart that helps make the math easier to understand.
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!
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.
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.