September 11, 2025

Another HOT one! Our friends are getting very resourceful to try and stay cool.

Jimbo and Anna modeling their new puffy fan ventilated jackets! Several people have bought these after seeing a lot of local outdoor workers wearing throughout Japan. They cost between 120 to 180 USD, so it's an investment.  I am just using an umbrella on bright sunny days and always walk with a wash cloth in my bag, to wipe away my sweat. I also just bought a portable fan in China to try out. Mainly I try to go out early in the morning and take a break in the afternoon and drink lots of water.


Below is afternoon stroll around the port area of Nagasaki, Japan, and a second trip out at night for dinner downtown.

On my second day here I joined about 50 residents in our Global Harmony Initiative going to The Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park. Nagasaki had a population of 240,000 at the time of the bombing, August 9, 1945. On our prior sea days, volunteers folded 2500 paper origami Cranes, a symbol of peace, to present at both Peace Parks in remembrance for all killed. In Nagasaki 73,884 were initial killed (and another 74,909 were injured and later died from the radiation effects).  Nagasaki was bombed 3 days after Hiroshima.  Oddly there were 4 people, who were actually at both bombing sites! One gentlemen survived both and hearing his story was captivating. The Museum is extremely well done and a creative architectural space. It was funded 100% by the people, as a Peace Memorial. At the 80th anniversary, the Mayor said it best "that they don't care that Nagasaki is remembered as the second site - it is more important it be the LAST site."

We all pray we never have another Nuclear Bomb!

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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.