June 28, 2025

PHILADELPHIA, PA - USA 

Normally I would call Philadelphia Home but after 9 months of living on the Ship, I am beginning to call the Ship HOME! To that point, the main reasons I flew across the country this week was to come home and get my Condo in Philly ready to sell! I needed to clear out my remaining personal effects, so that I could possibly turn the place over to a realtor to liquidate and /or sell my remaining furniture and household items, along with the condo itself. I met with a few realtors and spent a good amount of time cleaning out all my closets, cabinets and drawers. I tried to get as much as possible into the willing arms of family members and friends. I was happy for them to take any items they could put to good use! My nieces Colleen and Laura were my 2 best recipients pictured below in the elevator as we hauled out numerous loads to their uber ( for Colleen) and car ( for Laura). I even got my bestie Laureen to take a bag home with her!

The added perk of coming home was getting to catch up with family and a few of my friends - a girls' got to take a dinner break and keep exercising at pool aerobics!

 I worked really hard, so I deserved hump day off as a treat to go down to my beloved OCNJ Beach - get my hair done and get in some quick beach time with my Brother Michael and Joyce and favorite Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer, (I hope I never have to see on a rescue mission on my Ship), Conor!! A special shout out to Dina for giving me her car to let this happen and Michael for cooking me an amazing burger dinner too!

The other special treat I got was to spend time with this cutie, my newest great niece Emilia. She is sooo cute and cuddly! I got to spend my last night in town with my brother John's family celebrating Katie's 29th Birthday. Joan baked a yummy banana cake with peanut butter icing. We are so blessed !!

The Philly skyline from my Condo - never get sick of looking at it!

KOH SAMUI, THAILAND - Final Day

By Pat Patrick • July 14, 2026
I really enjoyed my first trip to Thailand! On our final morning here we went to try breakfast at this spot, down the road, we had been hearing rave reviews on, King Of Bread . The hype was correct, the breakfast was delicious and they had some unique choices. I had eggs benedict on a croissant, in lieu of the standard english muffin and Bosco had it on Milk Bread, which was equally tasty.

KOH SAMUI, THAILAND - Cooking Class

By Pat Patrick • July 14, 2026
We love having authentic experiences with locals to really get a chance to see how they live and thrive in the Ports we visit. So when I found a cooking class, by a local woman offered in her home, we were excited to book. Um ( our teacher) picked us and brought us back to our hotel along with the family of 4 from Sydney, Australia, that had also signed up for this afternoon class. Um's house, which has a lovely open air kitchen, garden and dining area, was about a 30 minute drive and turned out to be on the beach, right next to the Grandparent Rocks.

KOH SAMUI, THAILAND - NIGHTLIFE

By Pat Patrick • July 14, 2026
The nightlife scene doesn't really get going till after 11pm and goes till 5 am in the Chaweng section of Koh Samui . We made our way over to the club district, and one of the hot spots called the ArkBar a little past 10pm to have some dinner, while watching the beach fire shows.