November 4, 2025

AUSTRALIA marks our 6th Continent of this trip around the World! I visited Australia & New Zealand for the first time back in 2016, but we didn't make it to Darwin then - so I was excited to see this time.

The Port is a fairly quiet place. They get 160 cruise ships on average in their winter months - because of their warm climate ( they are the Florida of Australia). But in their summer season, as is now, they only get roughly one ship a week. Cyclones are common here and on Christmas Eve 1974 Cyclone Tracy devastated the City of Darwin, and practically everything had to be rebuilt. The waterfront area where we docked is loaded with mid rise Condo's, Bars and Restaurants. You can't swim in the ocean here, because it is loaded with Crocodiles and Box Jelly Fish! So the government built a FUN Wave Lagoon Pool in their Harbor, as a center piece for the Condo's and Restaurants that is very reasonable priced.


It took us a couple of hours to clear customs when we arrived in Australia. They are extremely strict and thorough at checking everything on the Ship environmentally and this is the first time they have ever allowed a Ship to arrive with residential cats on board. It was a hugh deal for our management team to figure out. We currently have 11 cats on board, spread between 6 or 7 owners / Villas, and they had to be checked out and quarantined in a separate area, down on level 2, away from their owners. Lots of drama.


We went on a harbor sunset cruise, our first night here, with several other residents. We saw some lighting in the distant sky, but got lucky with a lovely sunset, as late afternoon thunder storms are also common here, in their summer months.

By Pat Patick August 11, 2026
Little India is a neighborhood in Singapore that I wanted to explore becase I love Indian food and their Temple's have such unique gods and Architecture, super colorful and detailed. Below is the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, Singapore's first temple dedicated to Veeramakaliammam or the Kali , a fierce incarnation of Shiva's wife and the "Destroyer of Evil" .
By Pat Patrick August 10, 2026
Other residents had a great experience at Singapore's Food Playground on prior visits, so we wanted to try it out! Our first day in Port, twelve of us signed up for a fun afternoon, where we got to enjoy our creations as a yummy lunch. Front row (L to R) is Ellie, Rick, their visiting friend, Sue, Christy and Angela. Back Row - Me, Bosco, Delia, John, Terri & Lori.
By Pat Patrick July 26, 2026
We just relaxed on the Island of Koh Chang, Thailand. It's one of the largest Thai Islands in the Gulf of Thailand and it has a dense, steep jungle & National Park covering the interior of the Island, which extends off shore, to coral reefs. The coast line is dotted with beaches and villages. This was a tender port, so we decided to stay on the Island for 3 nights, to be able to experience the nightlife. Turns out, it is low season, so nightlife was pretty sleepy. However, we did find a new favorite night time activity! Any Guesses?!?