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 Pat Patrick May 22, 2026
BORNEO ISLAND is a fascinating place, that I had honestly only heard of from the reality tv show Survivor. I'm still learning so much, but I had no idea it is the largest island in Asia and 3rd largest island in the World! It is a mini continent, with 3 different Countries sharing the island's land mass ( Indonesia 73%, Malaysia 26% and Brunei 1% ). We are only going to 2 ports in Malaysia now, one in each of the states of Sarawak and Sabah . Below is a video that highlights and explains thing well.
By Pat Patrick May 21, 2026
The Port of Singapore is massive and thus deserving of it's own post!
By Pat Patrick May 20, 2026
Right next to the Flower Dome in Gardens by the Bay is the Cloud Forest Dome .They sell the entry tickets as a joint package. The Cloud Forest currently has a special exhibit, Jurassic World The Experience incorporated into the forest.