June 28, 2025

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, USA

I flew from Philadelphia to San Diego on the morning of Sunday June 15th to rejoin the Ship. It was a gorgeous sunny day and after carting my bags to my room, and unpacking a little bit, I got out to explore the City. Sarah joined me walking around the port area. We did some shopping at the outdoor farmer markets and caught up. Our Ship was docked between two icons - the USS Midway Aircraft carrier and the Star of India the world's oldest active sailing ship. Both are currently museums. Sarah and I posed like the        Farewell Kiss statue and did a selfie for Sarah's boyfriend Bob.

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Day 2 in San Diego I had Moh's Surgery on my forehead to remove two basal cell spots. Juan, the office administrator genius at SCRIPPS CLINIC totally hooked me up ! I had Dr. Hubert Greenway, who did the first fellowship with Dr. Moh's himself as my surgeon. Dr. Greenway doesn't even typically work on Monday's but came in to help me out. He has trained 81 fellows in the dermatology surgery and his 81st graduate was also involved my case - she froze off a third spot Dr. Greenway noticed to prevent any further damage developing. While waiting for the lab work to clear the surgery margins I walked in Scripps Zen garden over looking the golf course and coast of Southern California. Once Dr. Greenway was convinced they got all the margins I walked down the street to the plastic surgeon offices at Scripps. There Dr. Christopher Bergeron did his magic and closed up the skin on my forehead. Everyone I met at Scripps was amazing and a special shout out to my wonderful, compassionate nurse and hopefully future Ship resident!

We also enjoyed the margaritas at Miguel's port side restaurant on both Sunday and Tuesday afternoons. The house mix was yummy, they had a nice long Happy Hour and we struck up a conversation with local Hypnotist Motivational Speaker, Jim Lutes and his buddy Luke who was a Martial arts specialist.

PORT DEARAU, FIJI - Naidiri Village

By Patricia Patrick • December 4, 2025
Today we went to see the coastal Naidiri Village that has recently won the Top Prize in global restoration, for their ocean reef project. The reef restoration was borne out of necessity to solve their dwindling food/ main protein source for the village, of fish. It was started by 2 of the villages rugby players and today is run by the local teenagers (mostly boys) in the village. It was great seeing how empowered and proud they were of their amazing efforts.

LAUTOKA, FIJI

By Patricia Patrick • December 1, 2025
The port agent offered several trips to areas around Lautoka . We chose the trip to Serenity Island Resort which included van and boat transfers and lunch. It was a really nice day enjoying the sun, reef, pool, turtles and amenities!

RIVER TUBING DOWN THE NAVUA, SUVA, FIJI

By Patricia Patrick • December 1, 2025
I organized a group tour for a fun day experience. We had a great day despite the rain that decided to join in. We started with a 45 minute van ride out through the city, into the countryside. Then we got in long boats and went up river to a waterfall, some swam or cheered on the guides to cliff dive. Then back in the boats to visit Sabata Village where 50 family members live as a community existing totally off the land, along the river. Next was a quick boat ride to our BBQ lunch spot. After lunch we got to tube down the river, through light rapids, for just about an hour. We ganged our tubes together with the guide - we had a chain of 14 in my group and the guides totally blew us away singing hymns for a good chunk of the journey. It was truly moving in that place with the rain drizzling and all of us linked together. Loved it!