January 4, 2026

When you think about escaping to a semi-deserted, tropical island to recharge, FAKARAVA wins my vote! I had never heard of this place a month ago and when I did, people giggled, just  saying its name. No one knew what we were going to do there for 2 days. Divers knew a little about it, but we couldn't find any tours through usual channels.

Fakarava is a remote coral atoll in the Tiamat Archipelago, about 280 miles NE of Tahiti, with a population of roughly 800, spread mainly around the main village of Rotoava, (where we tendered too.) The atoll and several nearby islands form the UNESCO designated Fakarava Biosphere Reserve, renowned for pristine reefs, rare birdlife and world class shark diving. Fakarava has an easygoing "old Polynesia" vibe, sandy lanes, bikes instead of taxis, tiny family shops and water so clear you can see rays and reef sharks gliding over the coral heads right from shore. It's all about nature - lagoon, sky and quiet! What a wonderful place!!

Below are drone shots from resident Janette.

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    PK9 Beach ( 9 Km from town, marked by rock with PK9 painted on it) 

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    Lagoon coast

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    Gravel road down 10 km stretch from village. Road paved from village to PK3 then gravel and sand, from 3 to 10, at the end. Bumpy all the way!

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    Lighthouse

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    Ocean side with Lighthouse and Lagoon side with our ship

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    Surf

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    Long stretch of atoll

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    Harbor at Rotoava Village

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    Village Church

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My afternoon in Paradise! I rented an e-bike at tender drop off in village and then set off down road to PK9 beach where I met up with my buddy Ben, who had come ashore earlier. This little girl took a real shining to Ben, was so sweet, with big smile!

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    Peddling back to Village on gravel / sand road



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    Lagoon shack

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    My bike at Pearl Farm along road

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    Village Church

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    inside church 

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    Nativity Scene at Church Entry

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    Selfie at Pearl Farm along road to Village

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    More of Pearl Farm

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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.