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.

HAPPY EASTER from BALI, INDONESIA

By Pat Patrick • April 6, 2026
Easter turned out to be a travel day for Bosco and I as we were extremely limited in when we could be seen by the Australian Border Control to disembark from the Ship, for a scuba diving adventure in Raja Ampat that I have had reserved, for over 18 months! We flew from Perth to Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on Easter afternoon.

FREO ARTS FESTIVAL AND COUSINS!!

By Pat Patrick • April 6, 2026
I have been really excited to get to Fremantle / Perth for my first time. I have had a few friends live here over the years and I have a second cousin, James Murphy, who I have only ever spoken too briefly, over the last 35 years and that I would love to meet in person. Jim is the older brother of Paul who I met up with in Melbourne a few weeks ago.

FREMANTLE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

By Pat Patrick • April 6, 2026
Greetings from FREMANTLE or FREO as the locals call it! Getting here took a long week at Sea, as we hid out and dodged wave surges from two cyclone systems. Our departure from Adelaide was timed to carefully avoid the path of Cyclone Narelle and we hugged the southern coastline of Australia, in the shallow waters of the Great Australian Bight . Later in the week we sheltered near Point Culver, before taking the turn and heading North along the western coastline.