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?

HA LONG BAY, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • August 31, 2026
Ha Long Bay in Vietnam is one of those bucket list places I have had in my sights for years. It's the iconic picture in my mind's eye, whenever I think of Vietnam . We had made plans to go with 8 others on a brand new, swanky Red Dragon Junk boat for a harbor cruise and overnight stay, but sadly the weather did not cooperate the whole 4 days we were in port. No ships were permitted to sail, per the local government. Many of us were bummed! This is typhoon session and there was a lot of rain and high winds our first couple of days - we were hoping it would blow out the last day and we could at least do a day trip but no luck! 

HAI VAN PASS to HUE, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • August 30, 2026
To get to the final stop on our Vietnam FUN Tour in Hue, we had our driver take us on the scenic route called the Hai Van Pass. This 3 hour drive took us back through Da Nang and then into mountains and along coast for what is generally a very scenic route. Unfortunately for us, it was mainly covered in clouds and fog.

HOI ' AN, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • August 25, 2026
Next stop on the VIETNAM FUN TOUR is HOI'AN - The City of Laterns! I had arranged a private car to take us between all the major locations and towns for the 5 days we were touring the interior. He delivered us to Hoi'An in just about an hour from Ba Na Hills . Here we stayed 2 nights and had lots of relaxing time built in. Again the heat was oppressive! The driver recommended below tailor to me as I mentioned I might want to have a dress custom made as that is another thing the town is known for with 24 hour turn around.