June 26, 2024

Return to Hansel & Gretel Cottage Area

I returned to this cute neighborhood to take some photos, while not buzzing by on bike. I really like the neighborhood nestled between a park, school, U-ban station and the woods. The A frame style houses appeal to me with their cute inner gardens. One of the streets is completely paved with brick pavers, but I have to admit I am not loving the German ( and I saw this in Ireland too - so may be a UE thing) oh natural trend - where they leave landscape untrimmed and growing wildly, in common areas or city public spaces.


The real problem with this otherwise idyllic neighborhood; is they are right under the flight path to Hamburg International airport which is a busy place, as the second largest city in Germany. Planes flew directly overhead of me seemingly ever five minutes, while I did this walk! It is loud, but maybe one grows numb to it over time. After almost 2 weeks I hardly notice subway sounds at Tom's. Even slept with window open last night!


I used German equivalent to Zillow Immoscout24 app to find the prices in neighborhood - range from 500,000 to 1.3M Euro ( modern one, style doesn't fit but just finished and listed in last photo). 

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SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

By Pat Patrick • September 26, 2026
I heard you can't come to Cambodia without seeing Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the World and a masterpiece of ancient human engineering, art and spiritual design. So even though I am "templed out"; it's the heaviest part of the Cambodian rainy season (May thru October) and Siem Reap , where Angkor Wat is located, is a hour away by air or 7+ hours by car, I find myself on Air Cambodia , from our port in Sihanoukville , with 40+ ship people traveling to Siem Reap for a quick visit! I'll probably never get here again!

SAIGON, VIETNAM - INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE EVENT

By Pat Patrick • September 21, 2026
I joined in with 49 other Ship Residents to attend an event the next day at The Vietnam War Remnants Museum also known as The Museum for Peace. This was put together by our residents as part of our ongoing efforts with the Ship's Odyssey Rotary Club and our Global Flagship of Peace initiative.

HO CHI MING CITY, VIETNAM

By Pat Patrick • September 21, 2026
HO CHI MING CITY or SAIGON was our last port in Vietnam . The downtown area was an hour away from the Port , so most of us got Hotel rooms in town, as prices were so reasonable. Sadly, it was a rainy four days, but that kept temperatures moderate and we could still get out and do most things. We stayed in district #1 as most of the City highlights are in this area along with the nightlife. Traffic is very busy in the City, especially motorbikes. Crossing the streets needs to be done with intent and quickly as there are very few traffic lights or stop signs.