February 18, 2025

PUNTA TOMBO, ARGENTINA

We were in the port of Punta Madryn, Argentina from February 7th thru the 9th. On the 8th, we rented a car to drive down to TOMBO NATIONAL RESERVE about 2 hours south of the port, and the first time I have driven a manual car or any car, since this journey began for me September 30th, 2024. The drive was fine, but the roads boring as it was mainly through arid desert areas and the roads through the park are not paved, just loose stones, so noisy, dusty and loud. Once we got to the long narrow peninsula it is Penguins galore! There is a vast colony of Magellanic penguins here along with other wildlife - hares, foxes, snakes, guanaco &        gulls. Below is the growth chart for a typical Magellanic. The babies were just born back in November, so we saw many that were just

3 months old. We spent a couple of hours watching the penguins play, bathe, waddle, sleep and just have fun! It was a very windy day but refreshing to stroll the trails and boardwalks, weaving across all the burrows and small shrubs that hide penguins nests.

View more

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE TOUR, AUSTRALIA

By Patricia Patrick • February 23, 2026
I love a good architectural tour and even though I did this one last time I was here, the story is so interesting, I decided to do again. Plus they are always updates and changes in operations at the Sydney Opera House . This tour didn't disappoint - I saw new theater spaces and gained new insights to the story of it's construction from concept in 1958, to it's opening in 1973. The drama that played out for Danish architect Jorn Utzon , who won the commission out of 300 submissions and never got to seen the final building.He was fired by local politician, in election year, when project was grossly over budget and schedule. The building is an engineering marvel and I love so many of the details!

NEWTON SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - Street Art & Food Tour

By Patricia Patrick • February 23, 2026
I love to get to know an interesting neighborhood when visiting a big city. Newtown is a creative, fun and slightly edgy area in Sydney known for its' preserved Victorian architecture, street art and it's lively, friendly food and bar scene. There is lots of live music, quirky bars (they call hotels) and the population there is the largest LGBTQ community in Sydney. It's young and vibrant with the University of Sydney right there. Great if you want a place with personality over polish!

SYDNEY HARBOR, AUSTRALIA - ICONIC MOMENTS

By Patricia Patrick • February 21, 2026
Sailing into Sydney Harbor is one of those iconic moments that will stand out in my memories for this adventure! Sydney is one of a few natural harbors, worldwide, like San Francisco , known for its sparkling waters, landmark sights, spectacular events and hundreds of miles of shoreline.