June 20, 2024

Euro 2024 - UEFA European Football Championship

When in Germany, one has to join in all the excitement surrounding Euro 2024! This year Germany is hosting the European Nations at 10 different cities throughout Germany. Germany's game #1 against Scotland we watched on TV - they won 5 to 1. Germany's Game #2, versus Hungary, we went down into the heart of town and watched at a sports bar / restaurant with tons of fans. Germany has lots of giant public viewing areas to watch all the games, setup throughout the cities. Fans are decked out in all their gear to support their teams; you see tons of flags, wigs, jerseys. face paint, leas and many cars driving around with flags flying and horns honking. They celebrate every win or even tie! Above are some of the key team members on Germany's squad and the one who made goals in the games thus far. Germany won 2-0 over Hungary. This is first time since 2012, that Germany has won its first two games in the championship. All are excitedly awaiting Game #3, Sunday against Switzerland.

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.