September 19, 2024

There's our pretty lady! Off the shores of Belfast.

No, I have not missed her inaugural sail! Hopefully, I will be on board for that next week! We are sooo close! Don't want to speak to soon, but today VVR did private testing to make sure all systems are working as they should, and they did!! Thanks be to God! Tomorrow the ship will be loading with fuel, and four containers of provisions, medical equipment, coffee makers, supplies and parts. Then Friday, we have our hopefully final SEA TRIAL with the testing agency, DNV to get our final compliance certificate to SAIL! Then we need insurance and department of health sign offs Monday and hopefully by Tuesday, we have the green light to live on the ship and sail away!! We are supposed to then head to the Azores, then Bermuda and then down to Nassau, Bahamas, where we will rejoin our planned third segment in the Caribbean. Once we set sail and they post the revised itinerary, I will let you all know so we can make some plans to hook up. So, I am going to enjoy my last few days here in Philly with some more pool & friend time and a little work too!

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE TOUR, AUSTRALIA

By Patricia Patrick • February 23, 2026
I love a good architectural tour and even though I did this one last time I was here, the story is so interesting, I decided to do again. Plus they are always updates and changes in operations at the Sydney Opera House . This tour didn't disappoint - I saw new theater spaces and gained new insights to the story of it's construction from concept in 1958, to it's opening in 1973. The drama that played out for Danish architect Jorn Utzon , who won the commission out of 300 submissions and never got to seen the final building.He was fired by local politician, in election year, when project was grossly over budget and schedule. The building is an engineering marvel and I love so many of the details!

NEWTON SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - Street Art & Food Tour

By Patricia Patrick • February 23, 2026
I love to get to know an interesting neighborhood when visiting a big city. Newtown is a creative, fun and slightly edgy area in Sydney known for its' preserved Victorian architecture, street art and it's lively, friendly food and bar scene. There is lots of live music, quirky bars (they call hotels) and the population there is the largest LGBTQ community in Sydney. It's young and vibrant with the University of Sydney right there. Great if you want a place with personality over polish!

SYDNEY HARBOR, AUSTRALIA - ICONIC MOMENTS

By Patricia Patrick • February 21, 2026
Sailing into Sydney Harbor is one of those iconic moments that will stand out in my memories for this adventure! Sydney is one of a few natural harbors, worldwide, like San Francisco , known for its sparkling waters, landmark sights, spectacular events and hundreds of miles of shoreline.