August 9, 2025

Our first Port in Japan! 

Japan is compromised of 4 main islands, from North to South - Hokkaido, Honshu,Shikoku & Kyushu. We are in Japan for 30+ days and have port stops in all four islands. Today, we started in Hakodate which is on the southern tip of the first island. Below are the first views I had from my balcony coming into the Port. It was rainy most of the day, but we were still able to walk around the town.

The fish markets were right across from the Port - Crabs in all sizes - some huge! Same with the Melons! Vending machines are also everywhere. Fellow resident Laura shared her love for the 7-11 tuna sandwich that uses seaweed in lieu of bread !

We got caught in a down pour while strolling the fish market - so went back to the ship for a change of clothes, before heading out again to go further into town. This time we decided to test out our skills using the public transportation and downloaded a Suica transit card. We followed the crowd and figured out the system. We went a handful of stops on the trolley to the star shaped fort. There we ran into a bunch of other residents.

Group of ship residents at Fort - Ozzie Rina out front - L to R Me, Enoch, Anna ( pianist), Bosco, Paul, Claude & David.

 After the Fort we took the tram again and headed back past the port, to the restored red brick warehouses along the waterfront, which is now a lively restaurant, bar and shopping area. We then walked back to ship in time to cast off.

PORT DEARAU, FIJI - Naidiri Village

By Patricia Patrick • December 4, 2025
Today we went to see the coastal Naidiri Village that has recently won the Top Prize in global restoration, for their ocean reef project. The reef restoration was borne out of necessity to solve their dwindling food/ main protein source for the village, of fish. It was started by 2 of the villages rugby players and today is run by the local teenagers (mostly boys) in the village. It was great seeing how empowered and proud they were of their amazing efforts.

LAUTOKA, FIJI

By Patricia Patrick • December 1, 2025
The port agent offered several trips to areas around Lautoka . We chose the trip to Serenity Island Resort which included van and boat transfers and lunch. It was a really nice day enjoying the sun, reef, pool, turtles and amenities!

RIVER TUBING DOWN THE NAVUA, SUVA, FIJI

By Patricia Patrick • December 1, 2025
I organized a group tour for a fun day experience. We had a great day despite the rain that decided to join in. We started with a 45 minute van ride out through the city, into the countryside. Then we got in long boats and went up river to a waterfall, some swam or cheered on the guides to cliff dive. Then back in the boats to visit Sabata Village where 50 family members live as a community existing totally off the land, along the river. Next was a quick boat ride to our BBQ lunch spot. After lunch we got to tube down the river, through light rapids, for just about an hour. We ganged our tubes together with the guide - we had a chain of 14 in my group and the guides totally blew us away singing hymns for a good chunk of the journey. It was truly moving in that place with the rain drizzling and all of us linked together. Loved it!