July 14, 2026

We covered a lot of the Island on this tour. Spot #3 was a scenic overlook of the coastline looking out at some of their pristine beaches  and #4 was further along the coastline, at a rock outcropping known for it's phallic formations.

They fondly call them grandfather and grandmother rocks or Hin Ta & Hin Yai. Is this the images you think of when you think of your grandparents?

Next stop #5 was Chedi Phra That Sila Ngu or the Snake Stone Pagoda (or Red Pagoda).

 There was also a burial ground, built into the side of the hill, at this location. The staircase was also guarded by Snakes!

Stop #6 had one of the more interesting stories. I took this research right from @SherrieCornett's Facebook post - no point in duplicating efforts! Thanks buddy!

The mummified monk at Wat Khunaram is Luang Pho Daeng (Luang Por Daeng), a highly respected Buddhist monk whose preserved body remains on display, in a glass case. According to temple records, he died in 1973 at the age of 79 while sitting in a meditative position. Before his death, he reportedly told his followers that if his body decayed normally, they should cremate it, but if it remained preserved, it could serve as a reminder of Buddhist teachings about impermanence and the results of a virtuous life.

Remarkably, his body did not decompose in the usual way. Today, it is displayed in a glass case, still seated upright in a meditation posture. The most striking feature is that the monk wears sunglasses, which were added because his eye sockets had deteriorated over time and the sun glasses make the display less unsettling for visitors. While some Western visitors initially find the display surprising, most Thai Buddhists view Luang Pho Daeng with deep respect. The display is intended to encourage reflection on one of Buddhism’s central teachings: that life is impermanent and that spiritual practice is what endures.

I embraced the Buddhist custom here of having a monk tie a colored thread on my wrist. You pick the color that appeals to you. I choose yellow and he told me it means prosperity.

Our final stop was on the tour was Na Muang Waterfall which was anti-climatic as it is the dry season. However, the fresh coconut ice cream was delightful!

KUANTAN, MALAYSIA

By Pat Patrick • October 12, 2026
Just the other day a friend asked me if I got enough down time while living this lifestyle. My answer was "you have to make it !" In the beginning, it was go, go, go, every port. We had lots of FOMO ( fear of missing out ) and we tried to cram in as much as possible at every port. Sea days, were our only down time and there were never enough. It was a tad exhausting. Now two years into this life, I can say there are some ports that just don't call me and I opt to get other things done. Kuantan, Malaysia was one of the Ports. I never got off the ship, either day we were here. I intended to this morning, but we had storms with loud thunder late into the night and then was awoken by a crew alarm around 6:45am. My energy was low, there were shuttle issues, town was an hour ride away and there is alot of air pollution, ( due to neighboring Indonesia burning organic materials, in preparation for the upcoming monsoon season ). So I bagged my plans and continued working on my never ending TO DO LIST!

Sad Passing of ODYSSEY Shipmate

By Pat Patrick • October 11, 2026
During our two years of sailing we have had several Shipmates come and go for a variety of reasons. Their health, has sadly been the reason for many departures. Cindy Harvey , would have loved to have lived out her days here on the Odyssey and even bought a second cabin and had an adjoining door added, to have a care provider, stay with her full time. However, Cindy's limited mobility, pain and confinement got to be too much - so she left us a few months ago. She went to an assisted living facility, on the coast of Oregon, to be near her family. Tragically she fell, was trying to recover, slipped into a coma and sadly passed away this week.

SANCTUARY OF TRUTH MUSEUM, CHONBURI, THAILAND

By Pat Patrick • October 8, 2026
The Sanctuary of Truth Museum is the world's largest hand carved wooden castle, located on the coast of Pattaya, Chonburi Province, Thailand . Conceived in 1981 by Thai visionary Khun Lek Viriyaphun the structure is built entirely from 4 types of wood - Teak, Mai Daeng, Mai Takien & Mai Panchaat and put together using Thai nailless wood joinery - mainly dovetails, carrying poles and tongue & groove. We started the tour in the workshop where the artisan, mainly woman, were hard at work. Since conception, the Museum has been an active construction site, thus we all wore hardhats! The artisans continue handcarving sculptures and columns, daily and will most likely continue for years to come.