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!

PORT DEARAU, FIJI - Naidiri Village

By Patricia Patrick • December 4, 2025
Today we went to see the coastal Naidiri Village that has recently won the Top Prize in global restoration, for their ocean reef project. The reef restoration was borne out of necessity to solve their dwindling food/ main protein source for the village, of fish. It was started by 2 of the villages rugby players and today is run by the local teenagers (mostly boys) in the village. It was great seeing how empowered and proud they were of their amazing efforts.

LAUTOKA, FIJI

By Patricia Patrick • December 1, 2025
The port agent offered several trips to areas around Lautoka . We chose the trip to Serenity Island Resort which included van and boat transfers and lunch. It was a really nice day enjoying the sun, reef, pool, turtles and amenities!

RIVER TUBING DOWN THE NAVUA, SUVA, FIJI

By Patricia Patrick • December 1, 2025
I organized a group tour for a fun day experience. We had a great day despite the rain that decided to join in. We started with a 45 minute van ride out through the city, into the countryside. Then we got in long boats and went up river to a waterfall, some swam or cheered on the guides to cliff dive. Then back in the boats to visit Sabata Village where 50 family members live as a community existing totally off the land, along the river. Next was a quick boat ride to our BBQ lunch spot. After lunch we got to tube down the river, through light rapids, for just about an hour. We ganged our tubes together with the guide - we had a chain of 14 in my group and the guides totally blew us away singing hymns for a good chunk of the journey. It was truly moving in that place with the rain drizzling and all of us linked together. Loved it!