November 1, 2025

SORONG (pronounced so wrong), our Destination Manager add "so right" ! Our last port in Indonesia for a while. On the way there, we celebrated the birthday of two our friends MaryAnn and Doris, with a sailor themed dinner in Thistle.

We were again greeted by much fanfare in the Port! The Mayor and lots of locals came to our arrival with songs, dancing and lots of presentations and thanks for coming. Mayor presented head dresses and plaques to our Captain and Crew. 

A lot of the Residents took planned excursions to near by Raja Ampat, a 2 hour boat ride away for snorkeling and diving. I didn't plan anything, because I thought I would still be in Budaken Island, getting scuba PADI certified. So Sorong just became a 3 day Port for me to relax, work on some projects and enjoy the lovely people.   

One night we went out for a walk through town and had a yummy pizza dinner with Newlyweds Gian and Angie to catch up on their last few months. Sadly they were off the ship for the last 4 months dealing with a family emergency - her sister died suddenly, after the wedding. They are so happy to be back on board now! When we came into Port this local family came up to us and asked if we would take a picture with them. The little boy was adorable, so shy but soo curios about us!


The next day, this young man, Ali approached me in the Port lot with a microphone, while his Dad filmed us. His English was very good, great pronunciation and no accent. He told me he learned while playing a video game! Ali is eleven, in 5th grade and wanted to know all about me and the ship. He told me he loves Math and Science and I told him he should study Engineering. He said he wants to be an Astronaut, and agreed that Aeronautical Engineering would be a good pathway for him. I am curious what he will do with the interview and video!


The last day there, I went to the local grocery store with Bosco and we saw these giant Christmas gift baskets! Mostly snack foods but displayed and wrapped with serving dishes and plates. Gave us pause, but thought photo worthy!

MAGNETIC ISLAND - KOALA'S

By Patricia Patrick • February 15, 2026
We got up at 6:45am to get to National Park Forts Walk trail in the hope of seeing koalas . Prior walkers mark trails with tree branches pointing in the direction of their sighting and we were luck enough to see 3 markers in our first hour of hiking. It is so stinking hot and humid the success we had made it bearable. The koala population on the island started with 20 brought over in 1930, to escape fur hunters. Today, the island boast 800 to 1000, and they are so cute and drowsy. They need 20 hours of sleep a day! The early morning is when they are the most active.

MAGNETIC ISLAND, AUSTRALIA

By Patricia Patrick • February 14, 2026
Just off the coast of Townsville, Australia is a special little island (that used to be part of mainland, hundreds of thousands years ago). The island was formed by molten granite that was pushed to the earth's surface with volcanic force.Over time the volcanic overlay weathered away leaving an extraordinary landscape of rounded domes and boulders, many as big as a house and spectcularly perched. Over Seventy Percent of the center of the Island is a National Park. There is lots of wildlife here too - koalas, rock wallabies, snakes & birds.

CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA

By Patricia Patrick • February 14, 2026
This is my third time in CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA and I really enjoy how walkable, clean and charming it is. The waterfront esplanade and lagoon area is a nice walk day or night. We had 2 nights here in the waterfront Shangri La Marina Hotel while waiting for the Ship to arrive and then 2 additional days in Port.