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!

MAGNETIC ISLAND - KOALA'S

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.

MAGNETIC ISLAND, AUSTRALIA

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.

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA

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.