July 21, 2024

Gallbladder Removal Surgery

One of the big reasons I returned to Philly when ship notified us of the last delay, was to attend to a health item that had surfaced for me, right before originally departing on 5/18/24. It was recommended that I have my gall bladder removed sooner than later due to large stones and a lesion that was showing on recent scans. I had originally scheduled it for 9/11, right after my niece's wedding weekend of 9/7, since I was going to be home then anyway. With the ship notifying us of the delay and itinerary changes, it seemed prudent to get this taken care of now. So on Thursday 7/18/24 I had outpatient surgery to remove my gall bladder. I had it done by a Jefferson Doctor, Sami Tannouri, who does a ton of these everyday at Methodist Hospital. The whole procedure was rather easy and I'm recovering with very little discomfort. I see the Dr. on Tuesday for a follow up and should be cleared to fly and join the ship next weekend for our maiden voyage out of Belfast! Amazing how everything is falling into place.

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.