October 29, 2024

Lanzarote, Spain - Canary Islands

Balcony view this beautiful, sunny Sunday! I dressed up for church and one of my favorite waiters presented me with a linen rose -saying how nice I looked and he wished me a lovely day, as I was leaving the dining room. So sweet! The staff is really great and I love that we get to spend so much time with them - most have contracts for 6 to 9 months! My room Stewart wants to take me out for Indonesian food, in one of the upcoming ports, to show me his favorite dishes from home!

Below are some views of harbor around the town of Arrecife. I had a Marilyn Monroe "Some Like It Hot" moment when I climbed up to the top of the Fort. Did I mention it was very windy? Well my fancy dress gusted up around my neck while I was taking photo's and thank goodness, the 3 men who had just been up there with me, were down the ladder at that moment! Caught me totally by surprise and took a little wrangling, to get everything back in place!

Mass was at noon at the Parroquia de San GInes and I went with Kimberly & Phil from San Diego CA , who asked if they could join me when we met after I was coming back from Mass in Ceuta, Spain, last Sunday. They are also Founders and bought a villa on the 7th deck. Very nice - big golfers - who want to try Pickleball. They plan to get off and on - have 4 kids back home ages to 23 to 29, and they are hoping they have weddings and babies soon. The Church was so quaint and people very welcoming. I took photo's of murals after mass - found the Heaven to Hell one very compelling - all kinds of images within it. Don't think I have seen on like this before.

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By Pat Patrick • October 1, 2026
WOW!! I can't believe it has been two years of sailing around the World already for me and my fellow shipmates on the Villa Vie Odyssey! We left Belfast, Ireland back on September 30, 2024 and it has been such a great adventure to date! We have been to 201 different ports, some more than once, during those two years, with much more to come!
By Pat Patrick • September 29, 2026
Before coming to Cambodia , I sadly have to admit I was unaware of the landmine problems they face. On our first night in Siem Reap, where we hiked up the hill to try and see the sunset views, there was a small band of men playing instruments and our tuk tuk driver explained to me they were victims of landmine explosions who had lost limbs or their sight and were trying to make money via donations to support their families.
By Pat Patrick • September 28, 2026
I rallied for our last temple of the morning, because I heard this one was unique and I think it was my favorite. Ta Prohm was built starting in 1186 by King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery and university dedicated to the king's mother. It was left mostly un-restored so that huge banyan and silk cotton trees grow directly over and through the walls. In 2001, the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie was filmed here.