December 29, 2025

We have 3 days on this lovely island of Moorea. Day 1 we just went to the beach for the afternoon and this Piggy Momma held court! She was eating baguettes and then needed to cool down in water. Walked right through sunbathers, across their blanket and then plopped right down unfazed.

Day 1, we just went to the beach at the Parc public de Tahiamanu  at the  for the afternoon and this Piggy Momma held court! She was eating baguettes at one end of the beach and then needed to cool down in water. She walked right through sunbathers, across their blanket and then plopped right down at the water's edge unfazed.


Two items in the taste category - whenever I go in a new grocery store I check out their drink selections because I get so bored with water and unsweetened ice tea - my 2 staples in life. I have been noticing this Fanta flavor called Raisin and thought I would give it a try because there Pineapple one was so yummy. I asked the clerk at checkout if he had tried and he said "oh it's a classic been around for years" turns out it is grape soda! I gave it to Aliona ( the 16 year old teenager on my floor) to enjoy !! In contrast, our chef hit a home run for dinner tonight with fresh tuna steaks on the grill and Poke salad bowls! So good!!

By Patricia Patrick February 15, 2026
We got up at 6:45am to get to National Park Forts Walk trail in the hope of seeing koalas . Prior walkers mark trails with tree branches pointing in the direction of their sighting and we were luck enough to see 3 markers in our first hour of hiking. It is so stinking hot and humid the success we had made it bearable. The koala population on the island started with 20 brought over in 1930, to escape fur hunters. Today, the island boast 800 to 1000, and they are so cute and drowsy. They need 20 hours of sleep a day! The early morning is when they are the most active.
By Patricia Patrick February 14, 2026
Just off the coast of Townsville, Australia is a special little island (that used to be part of mainland, hundreds of thousands years ago). The island was formed by molten granite that was pushed to the earth's surface with volcanic force.Over time the volcanic overlay weathered away leaving an extraordinary landscape of rounded domes and boulders, many as big as a house and spectcularly perched. Over Seventy Percent of the center of the Island is a National Park. There is lots of wildlife here too - koalas, rock wallabies, snakes & birds.
By Patricia Patrick February 14, 2026
This is my third time in CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA and I really enjoy how walkable, clean and charming it is. The waterfront esplanade and lagoon area is a nice walk day or night. We had 2 nights here in the waterfront Shangri La Marina Hotel while waiting for the Ship to arrive and then 2 additional days in Port.