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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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.