April 11, 2026

Day 1 @ Eco Cove Resort we met this lovely young couple, Camille and Timothe from France. At the 6:30 pm nightly briefing, we found out we were randomly paired with them for the next day's excursion to the famed Melissa's Garden in the Fam Islands, which is about a 35 minutes boat ride from resort. We sat with them at dinner and instantly connected.

Melissa's Garden (named for the daughter of the Discoverer) is such a world-renowned dive site, it is even pictured with the FAM ISLANDS on Indonesia most used IDR currency! As soon as we hit the water snorkeling this bio- diverse pardise we had WOW moments,  one after another! Here are some of the highlights Day 2 ( video credits to Timothe, who is part fish himself!)

After the morning exploring this Wonderland, we went to a nearby spot know as Piaynemo where we had a rest room break, before climbing 300 stairs to get to the amazing view at the top of the Fam Islands (drone footage again compliments of Timothe)!

We came down and had started to eat lunch when this total shocker happened, TIMOTHE PROPOSED MARRIAGE TO CAMILLE!

She was so speechless, she said nothing! They actually came all the way down, told us, we congratulated them, took some pictures  and then they went back all the way back up the stairs, to document again! He was so nervous and she was so shocked !!

SO HAPPY FOR THEM AND HONORED TO BE THERE TO SHARE THE SPECIAL MOMENT.

They have been together for 10 years and just bought their first home together right before they came on this 4 week vacation to Indonesia. Camille has a Doctorate of Pharmacy and works in a local village store and Timothe works in Systems Technology for large refrigeration plants. They also have a golden labrador Mia and cat Ava.

MARBLE HILLS, DA NANG, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • August 23, 2026
Just about a half hour outside downtown Da Nang are Marble Hills .These five stone hills produce a huge amount of various colored marble that have been made into all kinds of statues, furniture, jewelry and knick knacks. Inside the cavernous spaces of the Hills, lots of temples and shrines have developed. Before getting to the base of the Hills, our driver asked us if we wanted to stop at a Marble Shop, bearing the wares of this marble. The place was huge - with soo many choices! And guess what their prices all have an option to ship to the USA! or I figure any where else in the world! A sales person escorted us through out the spaces. No heavy stones for me despite how pretty!

DA NANG, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • August 23, 2026
On our fourth port day in Nha Trang , Bosco, Terri and I took a quick 50 minute flight north to Da Nang, Vietnam to do some deeper exploring inland. Downtown Da Nang spans the Hans River, that opens out to the Da Nang Bay and the East Vietnam Sea. Today, Da Nang is one of the quickest growing cities in Vietnam, known for it's youth (median age is just 35) and dynamic environment.

NHA TRANG, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • August 23, 2026
Nha Trang was our first port in Vietnam , back on the 12th of August. My first impression, was OMG it's HOT here! I have been saying that a lot in Southeast Asia, but it was over 100 degrees that first afternoon. NhaTrang does not get many cruise ship visitors, because they have no docking facilites, we had to tender into a resort marina, about 15km, North of the City. It is however, a popular beach town, and was bustling with tons of Russian visitors. The beaches and cheap prices are probably the biggest appeal, besides the fact that Vietnam is also a communist country. There are flags and communist markings all around.