November 2, 2024

Got to see a whole different Tenerife, from last time I was here in 2006!

I don't remember exploring the harbor town of Santa Cruz when I was here 18 years ago. I did a walking tour with Karen and Cynthia using the GPS my City App. It was a good mix of history, contemporary city, shopping and best of all, we moved at our own pace, modifying our route as we saw things we were interested in.

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Below is architect, Santiago Calatrava, Tenerife Auditorium (Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín) which towers over the Santa Cruz Harbor. It is used as a congress and concert hall and is home to Tenerife’s symphony orchestra. The poured in place concrete structure changes in shape at every angle you look at it. It was originally covered in blue mosaic tile and has a length litigation history over roof leaks. Regardless it is an impressive image in the coastline. 

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On the surrounding harbor rock walls at the Auditorium, Artist have freehanded tributes to their favorites entertainers.

Farewell Tenerife! View as we sail away, while finishing dinner on the back deck of ship.

HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS

By Patricia Patrick • November 16, 2025
Another great day exploring the South Pacific ! Today as soon as our ship docked in Honiara , and we were cleared by customs, I was off with 9 other residents, to get in 2 small speed boats and head out to Simon's Nature Reserve in the Solomon Islands . It was about an hour long ride across the Iron Bottom Sound but so worth it to experience this special place!

ALOTAU, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

By Patricia Patrick • November 14, 2025
Fun fact - Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse country in the World! It is estimated that there are at least 826 Papuan languages. Some are spoken by just a handful of people, while others by 100,000. (Thanks - Basia & Wikipedia for sharing this information).

TULLY RIVER, WHITE WATER RAFTING, AUSTRALIA

By Patricia Patrick • November 12, 2025
Tully is a small sugar mill town about 2 hours south of Cairns and we traveled here with a group of about 20 other residents to go white water rafting in the Tully River at the Gorge in the National Park. It is the beginning of the wet season and the river was running at a high level, so the rapids were class 4 out of 5. We had some trepidation, but were excited for the adventure! OMG so much FUN!!