March 12, 2025

RIO DE JANIERO - Day 5 - Cinelandia Square, Selaron Stairs & Ipanema Beach

Our happy little group together for another day touring with Lucas on the bus. First stop, Cinelandia Square ( where it turns out Callie and I had walked on Thursday, when we went to clinic).  This square was created for theaters back in the day, today only one remains, but there are several historical buildings lining it.

Next we headed to the Selaron Stairs or Lapa Steps in the Lapa Neighborhood. These world famous steps are the work of Chilean born artist Jorge Selaron who claimed it as "my tribute to the Brazilian people". Jorge worked on the 215 steps from 1990 till his death (a mysterious suicide) in 2013, installing ceramic tiles from over 60 different countries  around the world, totaling over 2000 tiles. In the beginning Seleron used scrap tiles from waste throughout Rio. In later years tiles were donated by visitors from all over the world. Of over 2000+ tiles 300 odd ones were hand painted by Selaron depicting a pregnant African woman, who he only commented on that it was a personal problem from his past. Below photos from web, Selaron below painting on right in 2nd photo.

Our last stop was famous Ipanema Beach. Infamy came from song "the girl from Ipanema Beach" covered by so many, including Frank Sinatra. The young 17 year old, Helo Pinheiro, ( shown in last photo at 17 and 80 years)  had no idea she was inspiration for song, until many years later. We walked to cafe she used to walk by everyday, on her way to beach. The waiters were super friendly and we had some beverages, before walking to grocery store and then back to beach.

View more

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.