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.

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BUNAKEN ISLAND, INDONESIA

By Patricia Patrick • October 26, 2025
Thursday, October 23rd we arrived in the Port of Bitung, Indonesia to huge fan fare despite the pouring rain. Turns out we were the first cruise ship to visit this Port in a long time!

KOROR, PALAU

By Patricia Patrick • October 22, 2025
WOW!!! PALAU is the tropical Paradise I have been dreaming about! This is trip just reached a new level of OMG!!

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.