August 6, 2024

Remember these two from my post on Mayo Ireland?

Unbeknownst to them, I had plotted with their Mom to meet up with them in Belfast this past weekend and had hoped to get them on the Ship to explore and check things out. Oisin and Fionn are big fans of the Titanic and this was one of their last free weekends before school starts again. They still made the trip up from Mayo and had great fun touring the Titanic and Children's Science Museums, but sadly I didn't get to meet them! I tried to get them the same limited access I had to the ship, but found out Saturday afternoon, that would not be permitted and therefore moved my flight. However, I did fill their Mom in on where the Odyssey is berthed, and she got them within dancing distance despite torrential rains!

Oisin was concerned we might not have enough lifeboats, seems that visit to the Titanic Museum was money well spent! Hope to see this happy duo again real soon!

By Patricia Patrick February 15, 2026
We got up at 6:45am to get to National Park Forts Walk trail in the hope of seeing koalas . Prior walkers mark trails with tree branches pointing in the direction of their sighting and we were luck enough to see 3 markers in our first hour of hiking. It is so stinking hot and humid the success we had made it bearable. The koala population on the island started with 20 brought over in 1930, to escape fur hunters. Today, the island boast 800 to 1000, and they are so cute and drowsy. They need 20 hours of sleep a day! The early morning is when they are the most active.
By Patricia Patrick February 14, 2026
Just off the coast of Townsville, Australia is a special little island (that used to be part of mainland, hundreds of thousands years ago). The island was formed by molten granite that was pushed to the earth's surface with volcanic force.Over time the volcanic overlay weathered away leaving an extraordinary landscape of rounded domes and boulders, many as big as a house and spectcularly perched. Over Seventy Percent of the center of the Island is a National Park. There is lots of wildlife here too - koalas, rock wallabies, snakes & birds.
By Patricia Patrick February 14, 2026
This is my third time in CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA and I really enjoy how walkable, clean and charming it is. The waterfront esplanade and lagoon area is a nice walk day or night. We had 2 nights here in the waterfront Shangri La Marina Hotel while waiting for the Ship to arrive and then 2 additional days in Port.