August 4, 2025

PHILLY NEWS!

When I moved onto the Villa Vie Odyssey, last September, I was hopeful that this would be by home, for the next 3 to 6 or as much as 15 years. But I knew it was also a gamble, and kind of an experiment in if this lifestyle was for me and my next chapter in life. I was most concerned about was I going to find a new community and group of people, that I would enjoy and make new friendships with easily. I also knew with a start up company things were bound to be challenging at times, and questioned would I have the tolerance to overlook those inconviences. I am sooo happy to report, that yes I truly am enjoying all the elements and no longer question, if I made the right decision. For me this is working and well.  Therefore, with these realizations, I have decided to cut my safety net of keeping my home / condo in Philadelphia. Last week I put it on the real estate market. Below is the listing.  It's a great place, in a fabulous building.  I was really happy for 20 years here! I moved in back in June of 2005. So PLEASE tell your friends and family if anybody knows anybody interested or looking !! I am also selling all the furniture and furnishings with it or separately, depending on the Buyer's Offer.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND

By Patricia Patrick • March 4, 2026
We had a beautiful sunny day to explore Wellington ! Was a very nice change from the stormy, big swells weather we have had the last two days! Wellington is the Capital city of New Zealand and the CBD is nice and big with lots of shops and museums. We didn't make it to the LOTR studios due to the time crunch but we took the cable car up to the top, for a scenic overlook of the port and then leisurley walk down through the Botantical Gardens, parks and historical cemetary.

ROTORUA CITY HIGHLIGHTS - NEW ZEALAND

By Patricia Patrick • March 3, 2026
Rotorua became a bonus city for us. Our Port stay in Tauranga got cut down to one day, due to NZ biosecurity regulations and since we really wanted to do Hobbiton, we decided to get off the ship and stay in hotels and get back on the ship, in a few days. Due to a variety of factors, the Ship ended up doing a quick pick up of us in Tauranga, three days later. The Kiwi's we encountered along the way, who helped with all our last minute details, were amazingly kind, hospitable and generous. Below is our tired, chilly group huddled at the security shed, outside the Port in the wee hours (1:30 am) Monday morning, awaiting our final hurdle of getting back on our Home. Home sweet home! What an adventure!

ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND

By Patricia Patrick • March 3, 2026
Rotorua, New Zealand is known for it's geothermal activity ( geysers, mud pools, hot springs) and rich Maori culture . I saw lots of that last time I was here in 2016, so this time I wanted to see their Redwoods in Whakarewarewa Forest. John and Colleen joined me in exploring. Their redwoods are smaller than the ones in Muir Woods California, but still impressive. Both are planted forest dating back to around 1908.