April 1, 2025

RIO NEGRO, AMAZON RAINFOREST, BRAZIL

For four days and three nights we explored the various tributaries of the RIO NEGRO. Most were narrow passages like above where we rarely saw another boat. It was so peaceful. We did lots of excursions on the motorized skiff  to get deeper into the Rainforest. At dark we would go out with the first mate and guide, who used a strong flashlight to spot eyeballs of critters. We saw baby owls, a snake, caimans ( their version of alligators), lots of noisy birds and bats.

We went on treks into the forest. We had to stay on small narrow paths, in single file and the second day we even had the owner of the property with us, to lead the way and use his machete to clear various obstacles or give us pathways thru water crossings. Learned that lily pads all start with white flower, then the flower traps a bee inside its petals overnight and the next day releases the bee after it has pollinated the flower and the flower has now turned pink.We were there at the start of the rainy season, you can see on the tree bark how much higher the waters are to get before the season is over.

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We went to an indigenous tribes ceremonial house and got to meet the families. The babies were adorable! Made me instantly homesick for my great nephews and nieces! They performed for us some of their traditional songs and dances.

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HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS

By Patricia Patrick • November 16, 2025
Another great day exploring the South Pacific ! Today as soon as our ship docked in Honiara , and we were cleared by customs, I was off with 9 other residents, to get in 2 small speed boats and head out to Simon's Nature Reserve in the Solomon Islands . It was about an hour long ride across the Iron Bottom Sound but so worth it to experience this special place!

ALOTAU, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

By Patricia Patrick • November 14, 2025
Fun fact - Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse country in the World! It is estimated that there are at least 826 Papuan languages. Some are spoken by just a handful of people, while others by 100,000. (Thanks - Basia & Wikipedia for sharing this information).

TULLY RIVER, WHITE WATER RAFTING, AUSTRALIA

By Patricia Patrick • November 12, 2025
Tully is a small sugar mill town about 2 hours south of Cairns and we traveled here with a group of about 20 other residents to go white water rafting in the Tully River at the Gorge in the National Park. It is the beginning of the wet season and the river was running at a high level, so the rapids were class 4 out of 5. We had some trepidation, but were excited for the adventure! OMG so much FUN!!