August 23, 2024

Things still a wee bit upside down!

I am hoping today was the last day I have to visit the Ship in the Belfast, Harland & Wolff Shipyard. I am flying back to Philly tomorrow for one niece's wedding in Ocean City, NJ and the birth of another niece's little one, any day now! The ship continues to work through the certifications and inspections and hopes to be doing the final sea trials next week. Fellow residents are heading off to Amsterdam and Hamburg to explore and will be picked up by the ship, once they set sail as the first ports. Many are also staying in Belfast, because they want to be part of inaugural sail. I have already spent a good amount of time in both Amsterdam and Hamburg, and I would rather soak up some sunshine and family time in one of my happy places, Ocean City, NJ. So bye, bye Belfast!

PORT DEARAU, FIJI - Naidiri Village

By Patricia Patrick • December 4, 2025
Today we went to see the coastal Naidiri Village that has recently won the Top Prize in global restoration, for their ocean reef project. The reef restoration was borne out of necessity to solve their dwindling food/ main protein source for the village, of fish. It was started by 2 of the villages rugby players and today is run by the local teenagers (mostly boys) in the village. It was great seeing how empowered and proud they were of their amazing efforts.

LAUTOKA, FIJI

By Patricia Patrick • December 1, 2025
The port agent offered several trips to areas around Lautoka . We chose the trip to Serenity Island Resort which included van and boat transfers and lunch. It was a really nice day enjoying the sun, reef, pool, turtles and amenities!

RIVER TUBING DOWN THE NAVUA, SUVA, FIJI

By Patricia Patrick • December 1, 2025
I organized a group tour for a fun day experience. We had a great day despite the rain that decided to join in. We started with a 45 minute van ride out through the city, into the countryside. Then we got in long boats and went up river to a waterfall, some swam or cheered on the guides to cliff dive. Then back in the boats to visit Sabata Village where 50 family members live as a community existing totally off the land, along the river. Next was a quick boat ride to our BBQ lunch spot. After lunch we got to tube down the river, through light rapids, for just about an hour. We ganged our tubes together with the guide - we had a chain of 14 in my group and the guides totally blew us away singing hymns for a good chunk of the journey. It was truly moving in that place with the rain drizzling and all of us linked together. Loved it!