February 20, 2025

PENINSULA VALDES, ARGENTINA

On 2/9/25, SUPERBOWL SUNDAY ,  I spent the day exploring the Peninsula Valdes, a naturally protected area about an hour north of Puerto Madryn,  with the Tremblay brothers, Paul & Ron  - 2 of my favorite neighbors. They had rented a car for the day and invited me to join them exploring the area. We left early in the hope of catching lots of wildlife. We first saw pink flamingoes, then wild sheep and seals, penguins, a hairy armadillo, a cormorant crossing the road and finally wild ponies.

The Peninsula is a UNESCO Natural Preserve and host the town of Puerto Piramides, where we had a nice lunch sea side. The rest of the park is vast and wide open, where we barely saw other cars on the stone roads. One hillside boasted a small church and some of the scenic overlooks had colorful fauna.

KOH SAMUI, THAILAND - SIGHT SEEING

By Pat Patrick • July 14, 2026
Sherrie, Sarah, Bob and I took a 1/2 day tour of Island to take in the major cultural spots. They picked us up at the Hotel and we had 7 stops.

KOH SAMUI, THAILAND

By Pat Patrick • July 14, 2026
Thailand! For the longest time I have associated it with the land of yummy Pad Thai and Chicken Satay with peanut sauce ! Now, I can add a nation who embrace color - their Temples & Shrines that dot the landscape are stunning. They are influenced and have welcomed many traditions from China and India along with their own SE Asia native culture. Buddhism is practiced by over 90% of the country. Social Harmony around respect, self control and consideration of others feeling is their mantra. All we met were so pleasant and truly thankful for any kindness you extend to them.

TIOMAN ISLAND, MALAYSIA

By Pat Patrick • July 7, 2026
Today, I braved the heat ( it's a blazing 84) to walk around a little bit and get the feel for life on Tioman Island, Malaysia . The Village of Tekek is where we tender to and this is where the Ferry , the Island's National Secondary School, Health Clinic and Airport (really just a strip) are located. The most notable feature is the Rainbow Bridge over the inlet.