December 5, 2024

St. Maartin to St. Barthelemy

Cousin Cathy decided to give me a glimpse into the upper elite world, via a day trip to St. Barthelemy! We took a 45 minute ferry from Philipsburg, St. Maartins to Gustavia, St. Barthelemy and had to clear customs, both ways. Gustavia is like the Rodeo Drive of the Caribbean - lots of huge yachts and fancy shops line the marina. We had to stay extra-long is D&G because a passing rain shower hit as we were about to exit - very nice sales lady insisted we stay and check out 2nd floor! Was fun see all the iconic items I have vaguely heard about over the years.  Rod bought Cathy a bracelet in Hermes for her 60th Birthday!

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Once the rain let up we hailed a cab, a very chic & pricy mini van type ($44 to go less than 10 minutes) and headed up the hills from the port to the fancy Eden Rock Resort. We had a yummy Thanksgiving day lunch in the Remy Bar and Salon, comfy open air space and situated right on the beach. The Master Chef is the same as the Philadelphia Four Seasons, Jean Georges Vongerichten.  

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After lunch we strolled some more and took a dip in the ocean and checked out the crowd at the swanky Nikki Beach Club, next door to Eden Rock. Then another pricey cab back to the port, watched sunset and had some drinks at local bar before heading back on Ferry to St. Maartins.

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2nd YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF SAILING THE WORLD

By Pat Patrick • October 1, 2026
WOW!! I can't believe it has been two years of sailing around the World already for me and my fellow shipmates on the Villa Vie Odyssey! We left Belfast, Ireland back on September 30, 2024 and it has been such a great adventure to date! We have been to 201 different ports, some more than once, during those two years, with much more to come!

APOPO, SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

By Pat Patrick • September 29, 2026
Before coming to Cambodia , I sadly have to admit I was unaware of the landmine problems they face. On our first night in Siem Reap, where we hiked up the hill to try and see the sunset views, there was a small band of men playing instruments and our tuk tuk driver explained to me they were victims of landmine explosions who had lost limbs or their sight and were trying to make money via donations to support their families.

Ta Prohm Temple ( AKA Lara Croft: Tomb Raider), CAMBODIA

By Pat Patrick • September 28, 2026
I rallied for our last temple of the morning, because I heard this one was unique and I think it was my favorite. Ta Prohm was built starting in 1186 by King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery and university dedicated to the king's mother. It was left mostly un-restored so that huge banyan and silk cotton trees grow directly over and through the walls. In 2001, the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie was filmed here.