July 26, 2025

WRANGELL, ALASKA, USA

We decided to explore the sleepy town of Wrangell, Alaska  by E Bikes. I have ridden e-bikes before and these were the smoothest ride I have had to date, perhaps due to the nice wide tires. Wrangell's population is barely 2,000. The rental shop gave us a map and some suggestions for rides. First stop was Petroglyph Beach.

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Then we headed through town, down along the coastline to the far end of town and hiked into Rainbow Falls. It was a sleepy little town, very picturesque. There was a National Geographic ship also tendered in Port and they had pretty much booked up all the local excursions in advance. We were happy with our peaceful relaxing day, just biking around for a couple of hours.

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After dinner things got a little more lively as Brett and Rich along with Bosco all got picked for acting roles in resident Viv's, New Zealand version of a somewhat twisted Little Red Riding Hood tale. Brett played a dog, Rich was bad guy #2, Randy Andy and Bosco was the hero, lumberjack Jay Gay.  Sheri and I just enjoyed sitting back and watching the action unfold!

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.