May 4, 2025

CURACAO - DAY 2

We hired a driver to take us on a tour of the island's north end, which is loaded with beaches, wildlife and Sheta Boka National Park ( which has bokas or blowholes and caves). The driver brought his daughter and wife along with us because they were on Holiday for Easter week, along with a lot of other tourist, making this area very crowded! We started at the caves, before the crowds were too much. They called the cave Nature's movie theater. It was mesmerizing to watch the waves crash in.

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Next we went to see the sea turtles at Playa Piskado. It was sooo crowded, we actually felt sorry for the turtles and didn't even get water to swim with them. We just took some photos and left for the next stop.

Then we checked out BON BINI BEACH, which is very popular and used by tourism board to promote Curacao.

We ended at the quieter beach, Playa Porto Mari, for some time to relax in the sun and swim, before heading back to the Ship.

PORT DEARAU, FIJI - Naidiri Village

By Patricia Patrick • December 4, 2025
Today we went to see the coastal Naidiri Village that has recently won the Top Prize in global restoration, for their ocean reef project. The reef restoration was borne out of necessity to solve their dwindling food/ main protein source for the village, of fish. It was started by 2 of the villages rugby players and today is run by the local teenagers (mostly boys) in the village. It was great seeing how empowered and proud they were of their amazing efforts.

LAUTOKA, FIJI

By Patricia Patrick • December 1, 2025
The port agent offered several trips to areas around Lautoka . We chose the trip to Serenity Island Resort which included van and boat transfers and lunch. It was a really nice day enjoying the sun, reef, pool, turtles and amenities!

RIVER TUBING DOWN THE NAVUA, SUVA, FIJI

By Patricia Patrick • December 1, 2025
I organized a group tour for a fun day experience. We had a great day despite the rain that decided to join in. We started with a 45 minute van ride out through the city, into the countryside. Then we got in long boats and went up river to a waterfall, some swam or cheered on the guides to cliff dive. Then back in the boats to visit Sabata Village where 50 family members live as a community existing totally off the land, along the river. Next was a quick boat ride to our BBQ lunch spot. After lunch we got to tube down the river, through light rapids, for just about an hour. We ganged our tubes together with the guide - we had a chain of 14 in my group and the guides totally blew us away singing hymns for a good chunk of the journey. It was truly moving in that place with the rain drizzling and all of us linked together. Loved it!