May 17, 2025

PUERTO CHIAPAS, MEXICO

Puerto Chiapas, Mexico is a sleepy little spot on the Mexican coast. My friends Bonnie & Stevie, who I know from Ocean City, NJ were suppose to join me here for a nine day stay. Unfortunately, the immigration officials, who would process them for embarking decided to take the day off! Even though 5/5 is NOT a Mexican holiday!! We in the USA, are the ones who celebrate CINCO DE MAYO!

Worse the agents didn't bother to notify us until the day before, when Bonnie & Steve were at the airport boarding their flight here! Luckily, they were able to change their tickets and fly to our next Port. Sadly, they lost 2 days with me on the Ship; it was very frustrating and totally out of our control!!

The Port did pull together a special performance to greet us! Youngsters from the area performed several dances right outside our gangway. It was early and I was still in my Pj's so these photo's are from my balcony.

There was very little in the way of a town, outside of the Port, per my other shipmates reports. However, what was unique, is there was a large fresh water swimming pool, picnic area and pavilion, with a bar, restaurant and restrooms right in the Port Dock for us all to use. Both crew and residents were welcome, which was great and unique - we rarely get to have shared down time with the crew. This made for a very popular way to chill and spend the afternoon.

KUANTAN, MALAYSIA

By Pat Patrick • October 12, 2026
Just the other day a friend asked me if I got enough down time while living this lifestyle. My answer was "you have to make it !" In the beginning, it was go, go, go, every port. We had lots of FOMO ( fear of missing out ) and we tried to cram in as much as possible at every port. Sea days, were our only down time and there were never enough. It was a tad exhausting. Now two years into this life, I can say there are some ports that just don't call me and I opt to get other things done. Kuantan, Malaysia was one of the Ports. I never got off the ship, either day we were here. I intended to this morning, but we had storms with loud thunder late into the night and then was awoken by a crew alarm around 6:45am. My energy was low, there were shuttle issues, town was an hour ride away and there is alot of air pollution, ( due to neighboring Indonesia burning organic materials, in preparation for the upcoming monsoon season ). So I bagged my plans and continued working on my never ending TO DO LIST!

Sad Passing of ODYSSEY Shipmate

By Pat Patrick • October 11, 2026
During our two years of sailing we have had several Shipmates come and go for a variety of reasons. Their health, has sadly been the reason for many departures. Cindy Harvey , would have loved to have lived out her days here on the Odyssey and even bought a second cabin and had an adjoining door added, to have a care provider, stay with her full time. However, Cindy's limited mobility, pain and confinement got to be too much - so she left us a few months ago. She went to an assisted living facility, on the coast of Oregon, to be near her family. Tragically she fell, was trying to recover, slipped into a coma and sadly passed away this week.

SANCTUARY OF TRUTH MUSEUM, CHONBURI, THAILAND

By Pat Patrick • October 8, 2026
The Sanctuary of Truth Museum is the world's largest hand carved wooden castle, located on the coast of Pattaya, Chonburi Province, Thailand . Conceived in 1981 by Thai visionary Khun Lek Viriyaphun the structure is built entirely from 4 types of wood - Teak, Mai Daeng, Mai Takien & Mai Panchaat and put together using Thai nailless wood joinery - mainly dovetails, carrying poles and tongue & groove. We started the tour in the workshop where the artisan, mainly woman, were hard at work. Since conception, the Museum has been an active construction site, thus we all wore hardhats! The artisans continue handcarving sculptures and columns, daily and will most likely continue for years to come.