October 4, 2024

WE FINALLY SAILED!! For real this time!

WOW this week has been a whirlwind! BUT ALL GOOD!!! My LONG awaited adventure is finally starting! As I type, we are sailing at a brisk pace to Brest, France. We should be there around midnight.


Here's a brief recap of how we got here. I know many of you have seen the endless Media, that has had all kinds of things to say!

Monday, all us Duckies (nickname of cruisers!) met at the Belfast Cruise terminal, in the late afternoon. There was almost as much press there, as the roughly 100 residents, waiting to embark. After a few false starts and trepidation, we got the clearance, all erupted in joy, cheers and hugs and we were onboard the Ship by 9 pm. They greeted us with champagne and snacks. We put our carry on luggage in our cabins and had our first safety drill. Then dinner and dancing and we sailed away from Belfast at 11pm. 

Turns out we didn't go far - sailed maybe 1 or 2 hours and then we dropped anchor in Belfast Lough ( Bay that leads out to the North Channel, between Ireland and Scotland) . We then stayed anchored there, until yesterday afternoon. Miraculously we finally got whatever paperwork we needed, and were OK to finally leave for real! Four Horn blast went off around 4 pm, the engines fired up and we were FINALLY OFF ON OUR TRUE ODYSSEY!! More partying ensued and at first, they told us, we had to get to a close-by Port, for fuel and potable water. So we thought we were going to Scotland. The Captain then calculated we could make it to France with the fuel we had, and so they steered the Ship south out of the Lough and off to France we headed. Residents agreed to drink more alcohol than water and shower together to conserve! Such a cheeky cooperative bunch! Gotta love the laughs! 

AT LAST  OUR CEO & COO WERE ABLE TO BREAK THE TRADITIONAL CHAMPAGNE OVER THE BOW.

To be more environmental conscious, it is now done with a biodegradable, confetti filled bottle.

SHIP SHENANIGANS - CLUE PARTY

By Pat Patrick • September 16, 2026
It's never a dull Sea Day on the Odyssey! We have such creative residents, that are always coming up with new ideas to entertain ourselves and have a good time. This plot was the calculating of Eddie and Michelle - a Game of Clue! The rules were simple - find the party venue at 8:30 pm, come dressed as a character, weapon or room from the game and solve the mystery of who stole the Ship's bell.

TERRACOTTA ARMY - XI'AN, CHINA

By Pat Patrick • September 16, 2026
In March of 1974, some local farmers outside Xi'An, China are digging a well and accidentally hit one of the great archaeological sites in the World! They were paid one day's wages for the find, roughly 4 USD! The Terracotta Army was dubbed the 8th Wonder of the World by France's President in 1980 when he came to visit and wanted to meet the farmers, the oldest was then, 89 years old.

XI'AN, CHINA - WALLED CITY

By Pat Patrick • September 15, 2026
Xi'An, China has been on my must do list , for awhile. The story of the Terracotta Army has fascinated me, since I first heard it. What I didn't know too much about, was the actual City of Xi'An and the walled inner City that remains today. It was built from 1370 to 1378 during the Ming dynasty on top of the older Tang dynasty foundations. There are 9 miles of City walls, they are 39' high, 45' to 50' wide at the top and 55' to 60' at the base. There are four main gate towers and the only draw bridge restored is at the South Gate. There are 98 ramparts, watchtowers, battlements and a wide surrounding moat. It one of the oldest and best preserved fortifications in China .