August 27, 2024

Meet some of my fellow Residents

I feel like I have known Basia the longest, since I have been following her Blog since last summer. Basia was part of the Life at Sea group I was signed up with previously and we had connected via text prior to that proposed sailing, discussing Blog options. I have loved reading her Blog - she takes great photos, loves nature and has taught me so much. After LAS failed to produce a ship on 11/1/23, Basia traveled South America alone and had some great adventures. She left Poland at age 9 and has been a biologist, researcher and then switched to training software applications. Her last home was in Rochester NY. She plans to be on VVR for one full tour or all 18 segments.

I shared the week in the Canary Islands with the above residents.

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This gang is my immediate neighbors on my deck. David and Greg are on either side of me and the others a few doors down.

Fellow passionate pickleball friends. Michael is an excellent player and Bill & Clare just learned. We try to play regularly @ 2pm daily.

Fellow Founder Club Members. Stephen in for over $1M. The Hennesse's bought 3 cabins and are renovating into one on deck 7. Holly has great boating experience and I appreciate her insights. Becky & Jeff befriended me early on, and Becky loves shopping & took me. 

TIANMEN MOUNTAIN, ZHANGJIAJIE NATIONAL FOREST, CHINA

By Pat Patrick • September 13, 2026
Tianmen Mountain , also known as Heaven's Gate , is where the dramatic natural arch is at the top of a staircase 999 steps! This is in a whole different section of the Zhangjaijie National Forest then we did yesterday. Getting up to the plaza at Upper Station, to start the ascent to Heaven's Gate , is quite extensive in itself. First we took a 30 minute cable car ride from the town of Zhangjaijie; then a bus ride you have to strap in for up a series of hairpin turns, for another 30 minutes. Then you climb a couple of staircases to make it to Upper Station . To get to the Peak of the Mountain, you either climb the 999 steps or take a series of 12 escalators inside the mountain. The upper station cableway is currently closed for renovations, so the options above were limited and very crowded.

FURONG ANCIENT TOWN, CHINA

By Pat Patrick • September 13, 2026
We had arranged for a driver to pick us up at the Zhangjaijie National Forest at 2:30pm, so we could have a much needed break for the 2 hour drive to Furong Ancient Town. That way, we could explore Furong at night, which is the best time to see it, have a bit of a rest and still be in a good position, to see more of the Forest, the next day.

ZHANGJIAJIE - NORTH GATE

By Pat Patrick • September 13, 2026
When we arrived at the Zhangjiajie train station, we had a driver meet us to take us all the way to the little village just outside the North Gate of the Zhangjiajie National Forest, which was about a 2 hour ride.This put us in a great position to get right into the Park early the next morning before the large crowds and access to the top section of the park, in lieu of the more crowded routes, coming in from the base of the mountains from downtown. We stayed at an older resort called Stilt Paradise and the place had a rustic charm as did the whole one street village. It was close to 7:30 pm when we arrived. We went in search of dinner, which commenced a session of pointing at photo's on their billboard and piecing together an order with google translate, to get the basic dumplings and noodles.