August 22, 2025

Day 1 in Tokyo  started with an 8 hour private van tour, with pickup at the Port of Yokohama and drop-off at WPU Downtown Tokyo Hotel, in the Shibuya Area. 

First stop - Meiji ji ( Jingu) Shrine built in 1920 dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.  It's like a Central Park right in the middle of a bustling city. One of the most famous shrines in Japan surrounded by a tranquil forest of over 100,000 trees. We learned that Shrines have Tori gates and Temples do not.

Next the famed Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world! One crossing can have as many as 3,000 people crossing at one time, over the 5 crosswalks. We were there after rush hour, around 11am, so not at the peak of  craziness!

Next was the very crowded, most visited temple of Tokyo, the Senso Ji Temple. This Buddhist temple is over 1400 years old. You enter through the Kaminarimon ( Thunder Gate) adorned with a giant red lantern and then walk down Nakamise Street which is packed with shops and food stalls on your way to the Temple.

Stop 4 was a combo - ZOJOJI TEMPLE, which I wanted to see because of the care guardian deities and TOKYO TOWER which stands 333 meters tall, in the background, a powerful symbol of Japan's post WWII recovery & resilience. When it was built in 1958, it was the tallest freestanding structure in the world, surpassing its inspiration the Eiffel Tower.

Next Sherrie Bob and Sarah left us for their appointment at Team Borderless and Bosco and I went with guide to check out the tribute to Hayao Miyazaki, a famous director, at the Nippon Television Headquarters. They have a Giant Clock with his most notable characters featured. We also had fun at a neighboring plazas Human Centipede statue.

Our last stop before picking back up the gang and heading to the Hotel was the Odaiba Marine Park. Odaiba is a man made island in Tokyo Bay, accessed by their Brooklyn Bridge wanna be Rainbow Bridge and the area is full of shopping, dining, entertainment and a scenic park along the coastline, complete with their own Statue of Liberty.

By Pat Patrick • November 4, 2026
October has been a bit of a blur! My last post from Thailand , was about medical treatment and I'm happy to report all good; pathology negative and I'm healing nicely. What I haven't posted about, is what has been going on in the background of my fantastic voyage around the world . You have probably already seen a lot of news coverage and social media post and sorry I have done none. I have been busy weighing options, the logistics ( visas ugh! ) and gathering my things: organizing, weighing, purging, repacking, weighing again and flying. Below is my attempt of the short version, from my point of view and a map of area (and my quick stops) for reference.
By Pat Patrick • October 23, 2026
This Blog is more than a journal of my travels around the world, it's a major memory tool for me in documenting all the events along the way. You often ask me how we take care of medical things, as we travel non stop and today is a perfect example. A fellow resident had posted on one of our WhatsApp groups ( this is the main way we all- residents, crew and stateside support all communicate ) that she had an excellent contact for anyone looking to get medical appointments in the Pattaya / Bangkok area.
By Pat Patrick • October 20, 2026
Off the coast of Pattaya, Thailand a talented and dedicated group of residents, the Odyssey Troubadours , performed A Night of Broadway for the enjoyment of all the other residents and senior staff on board. The group of 20 performed, 15 Broadway songs that had some special Odyssey edits, personalizing them to our journey. We loved it ! Such a clever, talented and fun loving group. I was upfront and focused on getting candid pictures of the talented cast.