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!

PAPEETE - NIGHT LIFE- BACHLORETTE PARTY

By Patricia Patrick • January 19, 2026
I threw together an impromptu Bachelorette party for Angie tonight! Angie and Gian are getting married for a third time in Hawaii next week.They will be alone this time and it turns out she never had a Shower or Bachelorette to celebrate her first 2 marriages on the Ship, last May! Our girl deserved a fun night to celebrate her! So we took over a section the outdoor seating at Les 3 Brassuers, and their great band had us all up dancing! It's amazing what you can do with a bunch of WhatsApp messages to fellow ladies, some tulle, sparkles and always handy flower lei's ! One of the ladies even went and bought her some lingerie! I love our supportive community!

PAPEETE, FRENCH POLYNESIA

By Patricia Patrick • January 19, 2026
I got to go Sailing Again! We were supposed to head to the COOK ISLANDS after the lovely Rangiroa and the Tuamotu Archipelago, but due to stormy weather there, with all unprotected tender ports, they made the decision to head us southwest, back to the protected port in Papeeta (Tahiti). We got lucky and Holly ( pictured below) found us a sailboat available for charter.

RANGIROA, FRENCH POLYNESIA - Drone Shots

By Patricia Patrick • January 14, 2026
Since Janette Emerich is generous enough to share her drone photos with all of us on board the Ship, I have to share them with you all. This beauty is why I said we felt like we were in a screen saver the whole day in Rangiroa! I love the height perspective in the photos it really captures so much more. Blue Lagoon below: