August 27, 2024

Meet some of my fellow Residents

I feel like I have known Basia the longest, since I have been following her Blog since last summer. Basia was part of the Life at Sea group I was signed up with previously and we had connected via text prior to that proposed sailing, discussing Blog options. I have loved reading her Blog - she takes great photos, loves nature and has taught me so much. After LAS failed to produce a ship on 11/1/23, Basia traveled South America alone and had some great adventures. She left Poland at age 9 and has been a biologist, researcher and then switched to training software applications. Her last home was in Rochester NY. She plans to be on VVR for one full tour or all 18 segments.

I shared the week in the Canary Islands with the above residents.

This gang is my immediate neighbors on my deck. David and Greg are on either side of me and the others a few doors down.

Fellow passionate pickleball friends. Michael is an excellent player and Bill & Clare just learned. We try to play regularly @ 2pm daily.

Fellow Founder Club Members. Stephen in for over $1M. The Hennesse's bought 3 cabins and are renovating into one on deck 7. Holly has great boating experience and I appreciate her insights. Becky & Jeff befriended me early on, and Becky loves shopping & took me. 

By Patricia Patrick December 16, 2025
This is an usual day, it's our second December 15th! We crossed the international date line last night around midnight and therefore we get to live December 15th, twice in 2 different locations. Freaky Monday! We also lose our 18 hour time difference of being ahead of the east coast of the USA, and will now be behind them in time. Time zones drive me crazy on this trip - trying to coordinate with the folks at home and keeping a relevant calendar!
By Patricia Patrick December 16, 2025
Today we went to see giant clams and turtles at a protected reef area on the southwest side of Upolu , very near where Return to Paradise is located. We would have done yesterday, but it is protected by a village and like almost everything in Samoa , closed on Sundays. Sunday is just for Church and Family in Samoa ! Our guide was Chief Tuti and he had his son driving one of the vans with 5 of us and his daughter in law driving the other with our 4. He was so animated and ran a first class operation. The SUV was comfy and roomy, he provided snorkel gear and towels, that they handed to you as you came out of the water. His information and insights were fascinating as were the local tales he shared with us. Would highly recommend him!
By Patricia Patrick December 16, 2025
After Mass on Sunday, I traveled across the island with friends to enjoy the Return to Paradise Resort. The ride took about an hour and unfortunately, it was pouring rain the whole time. So our day pass vision of relaxing pool and beach side got replaced with day drinking yummy cocktails and playing phase 10 cards in a beach side palapa. They filmed a movie here in 1953 and this remains one of the nicest resorts on the islands of Samoa.