April 5, 2025

MANAUS OPERA HOUSE, BRAZIL

When we got back to the Port of Manus from our Amazon Boat excursion, we had arranged for our driver to take us the the Manaus Opera House for a tour of there most famous building, before we headed to the airport. They were preparing for a show opening the next night, and the main stage area was temporally darkened, for them to work out all the spot locations. So my pictures are limited. However, the ballroom on the second floor was spectacular. We did a fairly quick tour and then went on to the airport and grabbed some dinner, trying to make it festive for Sarah's birthday. Our flight to Belem, was delayed an hour. I advised the Hotel we would all need a late checkin after 2:30 a.m.  By the time we all got settled in, our heads hit the pillows at 3 a.m. Thank goodness we could sleep in the next day as the ship was not due into Port until 4 p.m.

SORONG, INDONESIA- Travel Day 2 to Raja Amat

By Pat Patrick • April 7, 2026
Monday April 6th is another travel day for us on our destination to remote Raja Ampat . We started the day at 5am to make our 7am flight from Denpasar, Bali to Sultan Hasanuddin Airport in South Sulawesi for our brief layover to connect with our flight onto Sorong, Indonesia.

HAPPY EASTER from BALI, INDONESIA

By Pat Patrick • April 6, 2026
Easter turned out to be a travel day for Bosco and I as we were extremely limited in when we could be seen by the Australian Border Control to disembark from the Ship, for a scuba diving adventure in Raja Ampat that I have had reserved, for over 18 months! We flew from Perth to Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on Easter afternoon.

FREO ARTS FESTIVAL AND COUSINS!!

By Pat Patrick • April 6, 2026
I have been really excited to get to Fremantle / Perth for my first time. I have had a few friends live here over the years and I have a second cousin, James Murphy, who I have only ever spoken too briefly, over the last 35 years and that I would love to meet in person. Jim is the older brother of Paul who I met up with in Melbourne a few weeks ago.