June 8, 2026

The Intramuros section of Manila, Philippines is the historic walled core, of this Capital City. Today, the surrounding stone walls are  ringed by a golf course, in lieu of the moat from long ago. Below shows comparison from rendering 300 years ago, under Spanish Colonization to Today. Many of the historic buildings, churches, fort and prison remain. Kimberly and I walked it for over 4 hours, and we saw maybe a quarter of it. We sadly gave up due to the heat, humidity and our exhausted feet and missed the Corpus Christi procession to the Manila Cathedral with the Bishop, by just a half hour! If only we had known ahead of time!

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We passed up many offers of transport in the quest for exercise!

One of my favorite parts of the walk was meeting all the little kids in the streets. They were not shy and so curious! Sadly some did ask for food, candy or money. I shared some caramel hard candies I had with them.

Here's what we missed from the Corpus Christy Procession! The shower of flower petal, when The Blessed Sacrament went up to altar, looked very cool - images all from the Manila Cathedral facebook page!

Got a super refreshing drink from street vendor right before leaving the Intramuros area - cucumber and lemon juice on ice. So good! We weren't hungry, but would have liked to try the corn dogs covered in french fries! I did have a Cloud 9 bar day before - it is the top selling candy in the Philippines - their version of a Snickers bar. Snickers is better, there's is more caramel than peanuts!

MAURITIUS - The beautiful island in the Indian Ocean - FB

By Pat Patrick • November 14, 2026
I don't know why, but I have always made great and lasting friendships with my nail & hair stylist people. Maybe because I see them regularly, we chit chat the whole appointment and share deep confidences quickly and with great respect, it's a safe zone! Stacy from Mauritius was that for me on the Odyssey . She was Spa Manager from the beginning in Belfast and took only two short vacation breaks over the two years.

MAURITIUS - The beautiful island in the Indian Ocean

By Pat Patrick • November 14, 2026
I don't know why, but I have always made great and lasting friendships with my nail & hair stylist people. Maybe because I see them regularly, we chit chat the whole appointment and share deep confidences quickly and with great respect, it's a safe zone! Stacy Derby from Mauritius was that for me on the Odyssey . She was Spa Manager from the beginning in Belfast and took only two short vacation breaks over the two years.

SINGAPORE & DUBAI AIRPORTS

By Pat Patrick • November 13, 2026
I have wanted to see the famed Singapore Changi Airport for years to see the world's largest indoor waterfall. Turns out the waterfall is in a part of the airport, outside the Departure Terminals, so I still have yet to see it! The Terminal does have some interesting architecture and houses a huge shopping mall, with some very high end stores and Christmas decorations are up everywhere, the day after Halloween ( which sadly, they don't celebrate here ).