June 6, 2025

HONOLULU, on O'AHU ISLAND, HAWAII - Our first port in the USA!!

  View from surfer's vantage point on Waikiki Beach as the ODYSSEY sails into Honolulu Cruise Terminal #2  around 8 am on                   Sunday 6/1/25. Our eight day crossing across the Pacific from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico  was super smooth!

  • Diamond Head

    First views of O'ahu from my balcony heading into port.

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  • Waikiki Beach


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After everyone on the Ship cleared customs, we were free to go a shore, which was about 11:30 am. I met my friend and Honolulu resident Patrick Jeppeson  at the pier, he picked me up in his car and greeted me with a gorgeous lei! We drove up to the north shore, chatting the whole way and catching up since my last visit just before Covid shut the world down. Patrick is an actor and very resourceful at also working behind the camera doing props, carpentry and electrical work. Above are the only pictures I took of North Shore area, because we were so busy chatting. The Japanese truck is latest fade per Patrick, lots showing up on the roads here. After cruising the main street of Haleiwa we headed back to Waikiki beach area and Patrick's condo.


We went for an early Sushi dinner. A friend of Patrick's recommended Doraku Sushi  and it was so yummy!! Then I went back to the ship to clean up and get ready to go back out and meet him at the Cirque du Soleil  show Auana.

The show was based on Hawaiin culture, the music and visuals were great. The theater is on smaller side, holds about 700 and the seats were roomy and comfy and there are no bad seats to be had. The performers do some crazy balance, aerobatic, daring and scary stunts. The lady who does sand art from AGT was part of the show too. Two thirds of the way into the show, they had a sound misfunction and the fire alarm went off. We all had to evacuate the building and go outside and await fire department to  reset alarm. After about 20 minutes we went back in and the show finished.

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Afterwards we walked along beach hotels and admired all the night decorations.

KOH CHANG, THAILAND

By Pat Patrick • July 26, 2026
We just relaxed on the Island of Koh Chang, Thailand. It's one of the largest Thai Islands in the Gulf of Thailand and it has a dense, steep jungle & National Park covering the interior of the Island, which extends off shore, to coral reefs. The coast line is dotted with beaches and villages. This was a tender port, so we decided to stay on the Island for 3 nights, to be able to experience the nightlife. Turns out, it is low season, so nightlife was pretty sleepy. However, we did find a new favorite night time activity! Any Guesses?!?

On the way to Koh Chang, Thailand

By Pat Patrick • July 25, 2026
Love Sea Days ! I got a much needed haircut and color. Think I'll be going shorter, but giving this a whirl! Can you see the back in the mirror? The bangs and side volume, is what drives me nuts in the heat and humidity!

WAT BANG KUNG & TRAIN MARKET - Bangkok ,Thailand

By Pat Patrick • July 21, 2026
Wat Bang Kung Temple was a quick stop along the way to the Train Markets . What makes this unique is the Temple is completely enclosed by roots of four giant trees (a banyan, bodhi and others). From the outside, it looks like nature has swallowed the building. Inside the chapel is a golden Buddha image, that locals still visit to pray. It was quite active during our short visit there. The Temple dates back over 250 years and survived the Burmese invasion.