September 17, 2025

Dumpling making class in a Shanghai home! Meet Bonnie & her Mom.

(L to R) Spanish visitor Monica, teacher / host Bonnie, Bosco, Me, Gary and Christy. Photo at end of class when we are about to eat the bounty of our 3 hours of lessons in dumpling making. This is inside Bonnie's 2 room apartment in typical high-rise city building, units are a mix of residential and small business. Aisle kitchen, good size bathroom with tub and washing machine. This is her living room/ work / demo everything room and other side of glass partition is her bedroom - which is 1/2 full of stuff she is storing of her sisters - who lives on lower floor and owns this unit too. Wanted to take class for cultural insight and seeing how people live behind the walls we see from street. Dumplings are delicious so it was a win win - especially since I asked before booking if her place was air conditioned! Great activity to escape heat of day. Have you caught onto that theme lately in my post? It's really HOT here in daytime!

View more

We went back to Hotel stuffed and had a little rest, then met up with the group and all went to Shanghai Acrobatic Circus to see the Sunday Night ERA Show. It was fantastic!! Unbelievable skill and precision!

TIOMAN ISLAND, MALAYSIA

By Pat Patrick • July 6, 2026
Fun day in the waters of Tioman Island, Malaysia snorkeling with friends. Life is good! It was nothing fancy, a boat & captain, who spoke minimal English and barely interacted with us, for roughly 7 hours. We started the outing spotting a group of dolphins and was quickly at anchor drop 1 of 6. The distances between the 6 snorkel spots was minimal, which gave us lots of time in the water (at least 45 minutes, at each spot) with an added stop for a lunch break at local restaurants. Even the restaurants were fast and efficient, definitely used to catering to the boat crowd.

HAPPY 4th of JULY from SE ASIA SEA!

By Pat Patrick • July 4, 2026
Wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July! Here on the Odyssey we celebrated in the SE Asia Sea on our way to Tioman Island, Malaysia . We have such a talented and dedicated group of residents here, they put together a fun hour of things to celebrate and embrace a lot of what we collectively love about the USA. Even our residents from other countries - Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany , etc. joined in the fun! ( I lent my flag below for decorations)

BINTAN, INDONESIA - BUDDHIST TEMPLE

By Pat Patrick • July 2, 2026
Vihara Avalokiteshvara Graha or Guan Yin Temple is near 500 Lohan, so we also toured the grounds of this large Temple complex. It's dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy and is one the tallest brass statues of her in SE Asia. She is just over 55' tall, coated in 22 carat gold and is surrounded by scenic dragon fruit plantations. The tile work is intricate and textured with great details. The whole place is very tranquil and calming for meditation and prayer.