November 23, 2024

Champagne Reef

This popular dive and snorkel spot is well known on the island because of the unique bubbles that rise out from the reef, caused by thermal vents escaping from the nearby (5 Miles away) volcano. When you dive / swim in front of bubbles, you can feel their warmth. The reef is a little treacherous accessing as the beach is covered in rocks, and rocks are also all along the shoreline a good 5 to 10 feet out, before the water deepens enough to swim. I hired a guide to get me in and out safely because so many were getting beaten up on the rocks. Worth every penny. Donny turns out to half fish and knows every crevasse of the reef. He stayed with me for an hour and was constantly free diving down pointing out all kinds of things on the reef. So many fish and coral and saw a whole family of turtles. He would dive down to the thermal vents and fill up his snorkel pipe with the warm mineral water, then pour it in my hands for me to rub all over my face and head - said each washing, would erase 10 years! I gained 30 years back! He did for my friends too! One guy wanted a gallon for his bald head! Parts of The Pirates of the Caribbean movie was filmed here. There was a rope bridge scene done here and remnants remain up on the hill, above the cove, of the bridge.    

Trafalgar Falls

After the reef we drove out to the Morne Trois Pitons, National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site to see the twin falls nestled within. After about a 15-minute hike in, we got to see the twin falls in all their glory. People were swimming in the pools below each fall, we opted to return to the Ship having already swum at the reef. My Cabin Stewart Harry decided to treat me to more wildlife. 

By Patricia Patrick December 29, 2025
Our Odyssey Crew is so talented and fun loving! They put together this hysterical video spoofing all the crazy things they observed this year catering to us Residents, in a special presentation of our 2026 Horoscopes! Watch all the way through to the bloopers at the end and hopefully you will see why we love them so much!
By Patricia Patrick December 29, 2025
Don't know if you have figured this out about me - I love to Sail! I constantly scour the ports we are visiting, in advance, trying to line up sailing trips. I have a core group of friends on the ship that feel similiarly and several also scout them out and we share info and invites! Today was the Catamaran Taboo operated by Viola Moorea, owner Leo. We had several back and forths calls & emails - but finally worked out a morning session, for a 1/2 day, for 8 people. The wind and rain were a little temperamental, but we had a great time skimming over the crystal clear turquoise water in the lagoons of Moorea! 
By Patricia Patrick December 29, 2025
We have 3 days on this lovely island of Moorea. Day 1 we just went to the beach for the afternoon and this Piggy Momma held court! She was eating baguettes and then needed to cool down in water. Walked right through sunbathers, across their blanket and then plopped right down unfazed.