February 27, 2025

SANTOS - BRAZIL

Some ports I just don't get great photographs and Santos is one of them. Above is stock photo. I did spend a day on this beach at area called Channel 5, which is up in the top 1/3 of this photo. There were way less people on the beach that day and the sand is more brown than beige - but rest looks the same. Water temperature was slightly warm with cool pockets. We were only suppose to be in this port 2 days, thus the mad dash to Sao Paulo the first day. However, due to a late delivery of our fuel, we were there 3 days and left so late, we have to skip the port of Ilhabeta, and head direct to Paraty. Life at Sea has to stay fluid! Since I already used a stock photo, below is another one to show the busy Port in reference to the beach above. 

I spent the third day in Santos shopping at a Hypermarket Carrefour for a fan, booze, snacks and refills of my daily toiletries. The AC in my cabin and several others in my section of the Ship is not working all that well temporarily so an oscillating fan greatly improved things! I came across some odd chips while seeking out snacks - honestly didn't buy them to try so can't vouch for taste but highly suspect I missed anything good! Would you give them a try?

By Pat Patrick July 14, 2026
I really enjoyed my first trip to Thailand! On our final morning here we went to try breakfast at this spot, down the road, we had been hearing rave reviews on, King Of Bread . The hype was correct, the breakfast was delicious and they had some unique choices. I had eggs benedict on a croissant, in lieu of the standard english muffin and Bosco had it on Milk Bread, which was equally tasty.
By Pat Patrick July 14, 2026
We love having authentic experiences with locals to really get a chance to see how they live and thrive in the Ports we visit. So when I found a cooking class, by a local woman offered in her home, we were excited to book. Um ( our teacher) picked us and brought us back to our hotel along with the family of 4 from Sydney, Australia, that had also signed up for this afternoon class. Um's house, which has a lovely open air kitchen, garden and dining area, was about a 30 minute drive and turned out to be on the beach, right next to the Grandparent Rocks.
By Pat Patrick July 14, 2026
The nightlife scene doesn't really get going till after 11pm and goes till 5 am in the Chaweng section of Koh Samui . We made our way over to the club district, and one of the hot spots called the ArkBar a little past 10pm to have some dinner, while watching the beach fire shows.