June 30, 2025

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, USA

Below are our first views of the Golden Gate Bridge as we sailed into San Francisco! It was a fantastic way to arrive, golden sunshine with so many anxiously watching our arrival. the iconic skyline of San Francisco sparkled. I was out on the tip of the bow on deck 5 as we sailed in and under the Bridge!

We got lucky and got extra time in San Francisco, arriving at 2 pm in the afternoon a day earlier than what was originally just scheduled, as a one day port. We made the most of it and were off exploring as soon as we cleared.

We walked along the piers and headed to Ghirardelli Square, where a Love Fest was in progress. We checked out the famed cable cars and made friends with some Furries before heading to Chinatown in a WAGMO - driverless taxi. In Chinatown we saw the birthplace of the fortune cookie.

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.
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!
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!