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!

ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

By Pat Patrick • April 1, 2026
We spent our last day in Adelaide exploring the downtown. It was an easy and convenient, 1/2 hour train ride from the port into the CBD. The University had a lot of interesting architecture and it was a nice quiet Saturday to walk around. The River Torrens runs through the campus and provides a many pathways to enjoy.

BONUS ART AT THE CUBE - SOUTH AUSTRLIA

By PAT PATRICK • March 29, 2026
In the parking lot of the Cube there was another bonus art installation, and this one was much better known by me, Dr. Seuss !

BAROSSA VALLEY - d'ARENBERG CUBE - S.AUSTRALIA

By Pat Patrick • March 29, 2026
The d'Arenberg Cube in the famed Barossa Valley w as the draw for me here; the wine tasting was an added bonus! The 15M AUD Cube was built in 2017, from the vision of 4th generation winemaker, Chester Osbourn , who likened the solving of a Rubik's cube to winemaking. The avant garde glass, concrete and steel visitor center is 5 stories tall with the top floor tasting room offering panoramic views over the McLaren vale vineyards, the Willunga Hills and the Gulf St. Vincent . The other floors house the Alternate Realitites Museum , a contemporary art gallery, bars, a fine dining restaurant, a virtual reality experience and a wine sensory room. There is currently a Salvador Dali Universe exhibit on a 2 year lease, with some of the artist's sculptures and graphics.