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!

2nd YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF SAILING THE WORLD

By Pat Patrick • October 1, 2026
WOW!! I can't believe it has been two years of sailing around the World already for me and my fellow shipmates on the Villa Vie Odyssey! We left Belfast, Ireland back on September 30, 2024 and it has been such a great adventure to date! We have been to 201 different ports, some more than once, during those two years, with much more to come!

APOPO, SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

By Pat Patrick • September 29, 2026
Before coming to Cambodia , I sadly have to admit I was unaware of the landmine problems they face. On our first night in Siem Reap, where we hiked up the hill to try and see the sunset views, there was a small band of men playing instruments and our tuk tuk driver explained to me they were victims of landmine explosions who had lost limbs or their sight and were trying to make money via donations to support their families.

Ta Prohm Temple ( AKA Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), CAMBODIA

By Pat Patrick • September 28, 2026
I rallied for our last temple of the morning, because I heard this one was unique and I think it was my favorite. Ta Prohm was built starting in 1186 by King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery and university dedicated to the king's mother. It was left mostly un-restored so that huge banyan and silk cotton trees grow directly over and through the walls. In 2001, the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie was filmed here.