March 4, 2025

OFF THE COAST OF RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL 

Last night Monday 3/3/25, we had an unexpected turn of events, one of our beloved crew, a security officer from the Philippines, had a heart attack on board and needed emergency medical attention. While at dinner last night, they announced we had to prepare for a helicopter arrival from coast guard and we had to take everything off our balconies. A few moments later, they said since it was dark, it was too dangerous for the helicopter, and they turned our Ship full throttle to head to Rio. We were about 80 miles off the coast. This gave us a rare night time viewing of the city, bustling to Carnival with 2M added tourist, to their already huge population of 14M! We were in the harbor by 10:30 pm and two pilot boats met us to get the crew member safely ashore. Today, we heard he is stable. Thanks be to God!

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.