May 3, 2026

PADAR ISLAND, one of the other 3 major islands in Komodo National Park is stunning and unihabited with a walking trail of over 800 steps to the summit, for these amazing views.

I have to admit, I didn't have the energy for the climb! These photo are again courtesy of @BasiaK.blog .  The heat of the day took a big toll on me and I actually opted, with 3 others of our group, to go back to the Odyssey for the night and did not complete our live a board stay. The Odyssey was at anchor right near us,  so after enjoying a swim at the Pink Sand Beach, sadly my exploration of Komodo National Park ended. I needed AC, a refreshing shower and a good night of sleep! It was a blessing that the live a board staff could accommodate this request, and that the Odyssey was so accessible. I felt bad leaving our happy little group, but my body was telling me to go! The Southeast Asia heat can be so draining!

The pink sand gets it's color from broken down red coral, blending with sand and sea.

The next day, back on the ship a fellow shipmate caught these images of upside down rainbows!

So cool Jim Lovell - thanks for sharing!

They are known as CIRCUMZENITHAL ARCS which are quarter circles centered on a point directly above the observer, occurring when the sun is 5 to 32 degrees high.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Shopping & Fashion

By Pat Patrick • June 11, 2026
Shopping is huge in Manila - there are sooo many malls! Probably because it is so stinky hot! The air condition draws you in, plus the malls have everything - giant Hyper supermarkets, movies, entertainment venues, sport complexes, spas & medical services, tons of restaurants and every retailer you can imagine. SH Mall of Asia is the 5th largest Mall in the World! I went here 2 different days, first with the ladies- Anna Sherrie & Sarah. Then back the next day with Terri, mainly because I was now familiar with the layout, and could move faster and get what I needed quickly.

MAKATI, MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Nightlife

By Pat Patrick • June 11, 2026
Metro Manila is a massive urban jungle with a population of between 18 to 20 Million. Makati City, specifically the the neighborhood of Poblacion and P. Burgos Street is the heart of night life scene, this red light district is heavily concentrated with bars, pubs and go-go venues. I saw a Get your Guide VIP tour of some of the best clubs offered and Bosco and I, decided to check it out. When we arrived at the first venue, we found five other shipmates! We run into ship people everywhere! It's kinda nice, The Community is what we love about this lifestyle!

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - INTRAMUPOS

By Pat Patrick • June 8, 2026
The Intramuros section of Manila, Philippines is the historic walled core, of this Capital City. Today, the surrounding stone walls are ringed by a golf course, in lieu of the moat from long ago. Below shows comparison from rendering 300 years ago, under Spanish Colonization to Today. Many of the historic buildings, churches, fort and prison remain. Kimberly and I walked it for over 4 hours, and we saw maybe a quarter of it. We sadly gave up due to the heat, humidity and our exhausted feet and missed the Corpus Christi procession to the Manila Cathedral with the Bishop, by just a half hour! If only we had known ahead of time!