May 29, 2025

LA PAZ, MEXICO - Exploring by Boat

Holly and I put together this fun group for a day adventure on the water! L to R - Sherrie, Sue Mann, Jimbo & Anna, MaryAnn, Bob Mann, Me, Holly, Alan, Sara & Bob. We rented a boat complete with a Captain, First mate and Guide from 10am  to 4 pm and it included snorkeling equipment, lunch and beverages. The Captain and Firstmate were father and son and spoke no English, but our guide Nicky was fantastic - she went to college in Hawaii and has a masters in Marine Biology. She was a little bitty thing, but amazingly strong and so enthusiastic and knowledgeable at just 26. We truly lucked out getting her as our guide.

First, we traveled past the resort town of La Paz coastline admiring the hotels, marinas, luxury homes. We saw a super yacht that was run on top of a dead reef, by a careless millionaire. It has been sitting there for over a year - no one wants to bear the cost to have it removed! Then we came upon an island claimed by sea lions basking in the waters, sunning and relaxing in the oddest poses! They float on their backs , put their tails up and one fin above the water, with the other holding them balanced below the water. There were hundreds of them. They were chatting away ( called gossiping) and could lay this way for hours, per our guide.

Then we sailed around an island covered with Blue Footed Bobbies and snorkeled in the crystal clear reef surrounding it. The water was so refreshing and the reef was nice and shallow so you could easily skim over the top and hear the coral crackle and watch the fish swim in and out of all kinds of holes and hiding spots. then we dropped anchor and had our picnic lunch of fresh cerviche, fruit and ham & cheese. We had lots of time to investigate the beach, swim and relax in the sunshine. Around 2 pm we headed back to the port.

As we were leaving the cove we spotted a large Oar fish which appeared in distress. Our guide jumped into action, explaining to us everything she observed. It was alive but its right side gill had been damaged and it was dying. She tried to get water running through its gills by pulling it backward through the current but it was too late. She was so sad, I swear she would have given it mouth to mouth if she thought it would help. I took video so she would have record of it for her studies and social media. She finally had to let the fish lie back down and make her peace with all her efforts. Was so touching to watch.Loved seeing her passion! Nicky Dieter you're a gem!

HO CHI MING CITY, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • September 21, 2026
HO CHI MING CITY or SAIGON was our last port in Vietnam . The downtown area was an hour away from the Port , so most of us got Hotel rooms in town, as prices were so reasonable. Sadly, it was a rainy four days, but that kept temperatures moderate and we could still get out and do most things. We stayed in district #1 as most of the City highlights are in this area along with the nightlife. Traffic is very busy in the City, especially motorbikes. Crossing the streets needs to be done with intent and quickly as there are very few traffic lights or stop signs.

SHIP SHENANIGANS - CLUE PARTY

By Pat Patrick • September 16, 2026
It's never a dull Sea Day on the Odyssey! We have such creative residents, that are always coming up with new ideas to entertain ourselves and have a good time. This plot was the calculating of Eddie and Michelle - a Game of Clue! The rules were simple - find the party venue at 8:30 pm, come dressed as a character, weapon or room from the game and solve the mystery of who stole the Ship's bell.

TERRACOTTA ARMY - XI'AN, CHINA

By Pat Patrick • September 16, 2026
In March of 1974, some local farmers outside Xi'An, China are digging a well and accidentally hit one of the great archaeological sites in the World! They were paid one day's wages for the find, roughly 4 USD! The Terracotta Army was dubbed the 8th Wonder of the World by France's President in 1980 when he came to visit and wanted to meet the farmers, the oldest was then, 89 years old.