July 19, 2025

KETCHIKAN, ALASKA - 4th of July - part 2

After our team of Lumberjacks won the contest, we went back to the Ship, to have breakfast. Then out again to explore  the boardwalk area of Creek Street, looking for wildlife and checking out the shops. We saw some salmon spawning, bald eagles and seals.

We had lunch on the ship and then went to my balcony to watch the parade go by. It started with a helicopter flying in a large American Flag. There were about 10 floats with the bulk graduating high school classes, 1985 my favorite with fun t-shirts and  a porta potty right on the front of their float - very practical1! We ran into Uncle Sam aka Bosco at Lunch.

After the parade we were off to our 2pm excursion, looking for bears and other wildlife. We saw this young bear scratching his butt on a front post in a neighborhood home, more eagles, salmon, another founding father and lots of totem poles.

When the tour finished we walked the remaining parts of town we missed prior, sampling the Orca Corn ( the kettle corn was yummy), the secret recipe of owner Rhonda. The deliciously aroma was wafting through the streets. Shout out Rhonda, come and join us on the Odyssey, you would love it and we need your secret recipe !!

The day ended with a bbq dinner and fun and games afterwards.  We watched the Fireworks anchored off shore at 11 pm

Fireworks photo credit goes to Basia  - love her blog www.basiak.blog check it out!

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!