September 10, 2025

When you hear HIROSHIMA, you don't generally think Baseball!!

But that is exactly what we did! We decided to join the local home town excitement, on Saturday night 8/23, and 50 of us from the Ship all went to see the HIROSHIMA CARPS take on the CHUNICHI DRAGONS. Sadly the Carps lost by 2 but we had a great time observing all their local traditions. We bought the general admission tickets for $15 USD in the local 7 Eleven stores. They were unassigned but great seats! Lots of yummy food choices and tons to watch and observe! 

On Sunday, I did more somber tour of HIROSHIMA Atomic Bomb Site. First, I went to 7:30 am Mass - just me and about 12 other locals and a 90 + year old priest, in the Crypt. Probably because the basement space was cooler and more intimate, just took some detective work on my end to find access to the space. After Mass, one of locals walked me to restrooms and another insisted on giving me a ride, in her air-condition car, to the Bomb Site Peace Park, so we could chat. She had done a brief visit to Philly, as a school child, and she did a loop around the park, a couple of times, so we could chat more! So Sweet and generous.


At the Park, there was hardly anything left from the blast, except the remains of the Commercial Exhibition Hall which is now a UNESCO preserved site known as the A - Bomb Dome with it's distinctive green roof. There is a Museum and a bell and clock tower. From here, I took a 50 minute motor boat ride out to Miyajima Island.

TIOMAN ISLAND, MALAYSIA

By Pat Patrick • July 6, 2026
Fun day in the waters of Tioman Island, Malaysia snorkeling with friends. Life is good! It was nothing fancy, a boat & captain, who spoke minimal English and barely interacted with us, for roughly 7 hours. We started the outing spotting a group of dolphins and was quickly at anchor drop 1 of 6. The distances between the 6 snorkel spots was minimal, which gave us lots of time in the water (at least 45 minutes, at each spot) with an added stop for a lunch break at local restaurants. Even the restaurants were fast and efficient, definitely used to catering to the boat crowd.

HAPPY 4th of JULY from SE ASIA SEA!

By Pat Patrick • July 4, 2026
Wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July! Here on the Odyssey we celebrated in the SE Asia Sea on our way to Tioman Island, Malaysia . We have such a talented and dedicated group of residents here, they put together a fun hour of things to celebrate and embrace a lot of what we collectively love about the USA. Even our residents from other countries - Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany , etc. joined in the fun! ( I lent my flag below for decorations)

BINTAN, INDONESIA - BUDDHIST TEMPLE

By Pat Patrick • July 2, 2026
Vihara Avalokiteshvara Graha or Guan Yin Temple is near 500 Lohan, so we also toured the grounds of this large Temple complex. It's dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy and is one the tallest brass statues of her in SE Asia. She is just over 55' tall, coated in 22 carat gold and is surrounded by scenic dragon fruit plantations. The tile work is intricate and textured with great details. The whole place is very tranquil and calming for meditation and prayer.