January 10, 2025

NEW YEARS EVE - LIMA, PERU

When in PERU, one has to have a PISCO SOUR or a Flight of them! They are yummy! So what better way to start off New Years Eve then day-drinking with friends! Eight of us went into the upscale Miraflores neighborhood of Lima, to a bar known to have some of the best flavors, to seek out this new cocktail. While there, we found out there is a South American tradition, of wearing yellow underwear outside your clothing, to bring in a year full of prosperity. So of course, after some drinks, we headed out on a mission to finds some yellow undies. What we didn't know, is that dinner that night on ship, was super dressy and we walked in with our undies and everyone else was in sparkly long dresses, suits and tuxedo's! OOPSIE!! Waiters were parading flaming Baked Alaska around the room when we came waltzing in. We had a good time, played CATCH PHRASE after dinner until the fireworks and ball dropped at Midnight. The locals put on a great fireworks show from the beach, and it was a gorgeous night to be out on the Aft decks. Later, new friend Lauren had me partaking in another new tradition, for safe and plentiful travel in 2025. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025, All!

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KUANTAN, MALAYSIA

By Pat Patrick • October 12, 2026
Just the other day a friend asked me if I got enough down time while living this lifestyle. My answer was "you have to make it !" In the beginning, it was go, go, go, every port. We had lots of FOMO ( fear of missing out ) and we tried to cram in as much as possible at every port. Sea days, were our only down time and there were never enough. It was a tad exhausting. Now two years into this life, I can say there are some ports that just don't call me and I opt to get other things done. Kuantan, Malaysia was one of the Ports. I never got off the ship, either day we were here. I intended to this morning, but we had storms with loud thunder late into the night and then was awoken by a crew alarm around 6:45am. My energy was low, there were shuttle issues, town was an hour ride away and there is alot of air pollution, ( due to neighboring Indonesia burning organic materials, in preparation for the upcoming monsoon season ). So I bagged my plans and continued working on my never ending TO DO LIST!

Sad Passing of ODYSSEY Shipmate

By Pat Patrick • October 11, 2026
During our two years of sailing we have had several Shipmates come and go for a variety of reasons. Their health, has sadly been the reason for many departures. Cindy Harvey , would have loved to have lived out her days here on the Odyssey and even bought a second cabin and had an adjoining door added, to have a care provider, stay with her full time. However, Cindy's limited mobility, pain and confinement got to be too much - so she left us a few months ago. She went to an assisted living facility, on the coast of Oregon, to be near her family. Tragically she fell, was trying to recover, slipped into a coma and sadly passed away this week.

SANCTUARY OF TRUTH MUSEUM, CHONBURI, THAILAND

By Pat Patrick • October 8, 2026
The Sanctuary of Truth Museum is the world's largest hand carved wooden castle, located on the coast of Pattaya, Chonburi Province, Thailand . Conceived in 1981 by Thai visionary Khun Lek Viriyaphun the structure is built entirely from 4 types of wood - Teak, Mai Daeng, Mai Takien & Mai Panchaat and put together using Thai nailless wood joinery - mainly dovetails, carrying poles and tongue & groove. We started the tour in the workshop where the artisan, mainly woman, were hard at work. Since conception, the Museum has been an active construction site, thus we all wore hardhats! The artisans continue handcarving sculptures and columns, daily and will most likely continue for years to come.