March 4, 2025

ILHA GRANDE, BRAZIL

This lovely island is 1/2 between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo and has ferries from both massive cities. The island was packed with families and friends for the kick off of Carnival - there were tons of people wanting to party on the water and on the multiple beaches. I negotiated with a local water taxi to take 10 of us to 4 different beaches for snorkeling and swimming for roughly a 6 hour period and included a stop for lunch at beach #3. Cost came out to $22/pp for boat + tip and lunch was delicous and another $25 with cocktails!

A fun day - lots of sunshine, laughs and enjoying the gorgeous scenery! Group included Holly, Debra, Cherrie, Scott & Callie(his friend from H.S. visiting), Christy & Gary and new comers to hanging with us John & Colleen.

View more

ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

By Pat Patrick • April 1, 2026
We spent our last day in Adelaide exploring the downtown. It was an easy and convenient, 1/2 hour train ride from the port into the CBD. The University had a lot of interesting architecture and it was a nice quiet Saturday to walk around. The River Torrens runs through the campus and provides a many pathways to enjoy.

BONUS ART AT THE CUBE - SOUTH AUSTRLIA

By PAT PATRICK • March 29, 2026
In the parking lot of the Cube there was another bonus art installation, and this one was much better known by me, Dr. Seuss !

BAROSSA VALLEY - d'ARENBERG CUBE - S.AUSTRALIA

By Pat Patrick • March 29, 2026
The d'Arenberg Cube in the famed Barossa Valley w as the draw for me here; the wine tasting was an added bonus! The 15M AUD Cube was built in 2017, from the vision of 4th generation winemaker, Chester Osbourn , who likened the solving of a Rubik's cube to winemaking. The avant garde glass, concrete and steel visitor center is 5 stories tall with the top floor tasting room offering panoramic views over the McLaren vale vineyards, the Willunga Hills and the Gulf St. Vincent . The other floors house the Alternate Realitites Museum , a contemporary art gallery, bars, a fine dining restaurant, a virtual reality experience and a wine sensory room. There is currently a Salvador Dali Universe exhibit on a 2 year lease, with some of the artist's sculptures and graphics.