December 9, 2024
DOMINICA REPUBLIC - La Romana - Catalina Island
Saturday 12/7/24 I just wanted to have some fun in the sun! So, ten of us went on speed boat day trip to nearby Catalina Island. On left is Silja from South Africa, then Whitney & Doug, from Montana, Scott and me across from Scott, and coming back up the right side, is 13-year-old Lucia, Zenzo,17 & Alionia,15 - the girls are Doug & Whitney's and Zenzo, (now dating Alionia), is the son of Silja. Missing from this dingy shot is Holly and Cathy who also came along for day. The back of our dingy was a group of Italians, who started drinking a lot earlier than us!
The ride started a little ways up in our marina, we went right past our ship and out into the Atlantic Ocean. After about a half hour we got to snorkel on what they call the Wall,
a large coral reef that runs parallel to Catalina Island. Dominica Tours provided lots of drinks, rum & cokes and a fresh BBQ lunch, once we got on shore at the island. Several excursion operators use the island, with similar packages and a party vibe runs up and down the whole shoreline. I am working on improving my day drinking skills and this rum was particularly good! The package only $55 USD for the whole day, included loungers and umbrellas on the beach, snorkel equipment and everything else! We spent the whole time in the ocean except when we got out for the BBQ. A fun day relaxing, drinking, talking and laughing.
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Wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July! Here on the Odyssey we celebrated in the SE Asia Sea on our way to Tioman Island, Malaysia . We have such a talented and dedicated group of residents here, they put together a fun hour of things to celebrate and embrace a lot of what we collectively love about the USA. Even our residents from other countries - Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany , etc. joined in the fun! ( I lent my flag below for decorations)
Vihara Avalokiteshvara Graha or Guan Yin Temple is near 500 Lohan, so we also toured the grounds of this large Temple complex. It's dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy and is one the tallest brass statues of her in SE Asia. She is just over 55' tall, coated in 22 carat gold and is surrounded by scenic dragon fruit plantations. The tile work is intricate and textured with great details. The whole place is very tranquil and calming for meditation and prayer.
500 Lohan Temple or Vihara Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was the most interesting place we visited on Bintan Island . It features 500 hand sculpted, life sized, distinctively expressive statues of Buddhist disciplines (Lohans) surrounding a tranquil courtyard. They are arranged symetrical, in an arc and it's interesting how some pop out, as you look down the rows. The statues were crafted by artist in China from 2010 to 2017 when the temple was inaugurated; no two are alike.