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.

( L to R) - Bosco, Me, Jim and Carol Murphy.

After much back and forth we were able to pull off a meeting Saturday afternoon at the Esperance Hotel in downtown Freo in the heart of the City's very crowded 3rd Annual Street Arts Festival. Carol and Jim have been married over 50 years and have lived in Australia over 25 years of them, along with their 2 sons, in their 40's, who both work in the mining industry of West Australia. They live north of Fremantle about 20 minutes, along the coast and took the train into town to meet us. We had a lovely chat in the hotel lobby amongst all the families celebrating Easter and the Arts. Both Jim and Carol are former runners that still meet regularly with other Hash House Harriers ( we now have a group on the Ship) and they were easy and lovely and I so look forward to seeing them again

Above are some quick images I got of the City as we walked to meet Jim & Carol at the Hotel. And below is KARCOCHA one of the headliners of the Strret Arts Festival - he is a contemporary Chilean harlequin who travels the world creating vibrant street performances. His show is rooted in improvisation, transforming everyday spaces into playful theatrical adventures. I swear I have seen him somewhere else in our adventures.too!

2nd YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF SAILING THE WORLD

By Pat Patrick • October 1, 2026
WOW!! I can't believe it has been two years of sailing around the World already for me and my fellow shipmates on the Villa Vie Odyssey! We left Belfast, Ireland back on September 30, 2024 and it has been such a great adventure to date! We have been to 201 different ports, some more than once, during those two years, with much more to come!

APOPO, SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

By Pat Patrick • September 29, 2026
Before coming to Cambodia , I sadly have to admit I was unaware of the landmine problems they face. On our first night in Siem Reap, where we hiked up the hill to try and see the sunset views, there was a small band of men playing instruments and our tuk tuk driver explained to me they were victims of landmine explosions who had lost limbs or their sight and were trying to make money via donations to support their families.

Ta Prohm Temple ( AKA Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), CAMBODIA

By Pat Patrick • September 28, 2026
I rallied for our last temple of the morning, because I heard this one was unique and I think it was my favorite. Ta Prohm was built starting in 1186 by King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery and university dedicated to the king's mother. It was left mostly un-restored so that huge banyan and silk cotton trees grow directly over and through the walls. In 2001, the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie was filmed here.