October 20, 2024

GIBRALTAR, THE ROCK, Back in the UK!


Was so nice to be in a familiar port, that speaks English, on a Sunday so I could attend mass with locals. I did a brisk 25 minute walk to The Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned. The noon mass was crowded with lots of young families. Nice to see and they had a social with tea and cookies after in the square. Most of the shops are closed on Sunday but many cafes were open and the pharmacy and duty free shop at the port. This is one of cheapest places to buy liquor and perfume in the Mediterranean. They started the pre port talk program last night before dinner and it was great to get the info in lieu of researching on our own. We have all been requesting this and we are getting close to 200 residents on board - new ones arrive daily - so much needed.


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    Youngest alter server, only 4 or 5 !

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COLONIA, YAP STATE, MICRONESIA

By Patricia Patrick • October 16, 2025
Got to love a place that sells shirts saying " Where the heck is Yap? " Colonia ( population 3,100 ) is the Capital and Harbor town of Yap State ( population 11,600 ) one of four states in the Federated States of Micronesia. We are in the Pacific Ocean or Philippine Sea just north of the equator, Papua New Guinea and Australia.

TERNATE, INDONESIA

By Patricia Patrick • October 13, 2025
Ternate, Indonesia, which is both the name of the city and island, and is part of the Maluku Islands in eastern Indonesia. It is a port that sees maybe 3 Cruise ships a year. However, they really made an effort to show us the best of what they can offer. It's mainly a Muslim country, and we knew we had to dress discretely, but we knew little else. We didn't have our typical port talk prior, due to a technical issue with the AV equipment. Ben a fellow resident, organized an island tour, with about 8 stops, for 90 of us residents.

CEBU, PHILIPPINES

By Patricia Patrick • October 10, 2025
Cebu greeted our Ship with a big warm welcome, despite having just been rocked by a major Earthquake, days before our arrival. The Minister of Tourism arrived with a motorcade and she proceeded to chat with the residents and thank us, for all our support.