June 20, 2024

The Woods

Today we had to do some exercise to work off the bakery treats, so we soaked up the sunshine, while biking into the Hamburg Woods. Tom hooked me up with a bike, complete with a basket and off we peddled. Hamburg has very well designated, wide bike lanes all over. Biking is a major method of transport, all around the city. Today's trek was truly something out of Hansel & Gretel. We rode through this neighborhood filled with A frame cottages and perfect little gardens. I need to go back, just to get pictures. But today we were all about the cycling. It wasn't until we got deep into the Woods, that we dismounted and strolled some. It looks like they kind of groom the forest floor, by gathering up the underbrush and placing it in dug out, random pits placed throughout. Guessing it would help contain any fires?

KOTA KINABALU, SABAH, MALAYSIA

By Pat Patrick • May 25, 2026
We only had about 8 hours of port time in KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia today, due to Port operations. I went out with Delia to see one of the most notable buildings in town, the floating mosque or Masjid Bandaraya. Our GRAB driver actually took our picture when we asked him to wait for us, and then take us to the mall afterwards.

SANTUBONG RIVER, SARAWAK, MALAYSIA

By Pat Patrick • May 23, 2026
MALAYSIA , on BORNEO ISLAND made palm seed oil their biggest export back in 1966 and was the top global exporter until 2008, when Indonesia surpassed them. Sadly, the resulting tropical deforestation has created major habitat losses and population declines for the Borneon Orangutans, Pygmy Elephants and Proboscis Monkeys . Many of us on the ship took tours to see these amazing creatures and I wanted to share some of their amazing photos too.

KUCHING, MALAYSIA - BORNEO ISLAND

By Pat Patrick • May 22, 2026
BORNEO ISLAND is a fascinating place, that I had honestly only heard of from the reality tv show Survivor. I'm still learning so much, but I had no idea it is the largest island in Asia and 3rd largest island in the World! It is a mini continent, with 3 different Countries sharing the island's land mass ( Indonesia 73%, Malaysia 26% and Brunei 1% ). We are only going to 2 ports in Malaysia now, one in each of the states of Sarawak and Sabah . Below is a video that highlights and explains thing well.