June 24, 2024

Game #3 Germany vs Switzerland

Germany had a real challenge in Game #3. They never seemed to get control of the ball. We watched from home as game didn't start until 9 pm on Sunday night. Every time we looked at screen it seemed that red uniforms of the Swiss dominated. It was in final minutes of game when the beloved Niclas Fullkrug scored the goal to cancel out Ndoye of Switzerland's goal and keep the host nation on top in tournament. The game ended in a tie but secured Germany a spot in the next round. Game #4 for Germany will be Saturday the 29th. I pray I am gone from Germany and on ship by then! But will keep cheering Germany on!


Interesting fact on Fullkrug, his nickname is Lucke ( german for gap) because of his front teeth. He once ended up hospitalized with the tooth of his teammate wedged in his forehead!

HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS

By Patricia Patrick • November 16, 2025
Another great day exploring the South Pacific ! Today as soon as our ship docked in Honiara , and we were cleared by customs, I was off with 9 other residents, to get in 2 small speed boats and head out to Simon's Nature Reserve in the Solomon Islands . It was about an hour long ride across the Iron Bottom Sound but so worth it to experience this special place!

ALOTAU, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

By Patricia Patrick • November 14, 2025
Fun fact - Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse country in the World! It is estimated that there are at least 826 Papuan languages. Some are spoken by just a handful of people, while others by 100,000. (Thanks - Basia & Wikipedia for sharing this information).

TULLY RIVER, WHITE WATER RAFTING, AUSTRALIA

By Patricia Patrick • November 12, 2025
Tully is a small sugar mill town about 2 hours south of Cairns and we traveled here with a group of about 20 other residents to go white water rafting in the Tully River at the Gorge in the National Park. It is the beginning of the wet season and the river was running at a high level, so the rapids were class 4 out of 5. We had some trepidation, but were excited for the adventure! OMG so much FUN!!