April 17, 2025

FORT DE FRANCE, MARTINIQUE - 2nd time here!

It was really nice to be in a familiar port, and on a Sunday so we could go to Mass. A group of us all went together which made it even more special. These teens were all making their confirmation and were being honored on the alter at the end of Mass.

Last week in the Portuguese church, I used Google translate during the Readings and the Homily and was able to understand a good 90% of what was being said by the readers and the Cardinal. I tried using Google translate again, this week and it went terribly wrong translating the French ! Below are a couple of the translations I got. I stopped trying after the last one!

After Mass we tried to get some group shots - below L to R - Holly, Amy, Fran, Kimberly & Phil and me with Steve and Ann, fellow Philadelphians - they actually live in Haverford. We did some dress shopping after Mass.

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!
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.
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: