May 20, 2026

Sunday, May 17th in Singapore was the last day for Tulip Mania at the Flower Dome in Gardens by the Bay. Sheri joined me in passion for flowers and we headed over to explore on our last port day here.

The Flower Dome is the smaller one above, the Cloud Forest is in the larger dome. The 18 supertrees in Gardens by the Bay are about 16 stories high and each is a vertical garden containing about 10,000 plants with over 200 species between them. They also collect solar energy and rain water and serve as air intakes and exhaust for the 2 domes. Beautiful Engineering Marvels!

Tulip Mania

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The exhibit was all about blending art and tulips to showcase the most iconic elements of Holland. Their most famous art works, delft pottery,  windmills and tulips abound. The Fritillaria Rubra Tulip used in Van Gogh's Vase of Sunflowers was stunning and unlike any tulip we had ever seen before.

My favorites were the frangrances of Hyacints, the Van Gogh Starry Night with the sky done in flowers and the amazing views outside  the dome framed with the gorgeous flowers from within the dome!

There were also plenty of wood sculptures and lots of Hydrangeas in blooms I had not seen before.

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2nd YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF SAILING THE WORLD

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!

APOPO, SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

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.

Ta Prohm Temple ( AKA Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), CAMBODIA

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.