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?

By Pat Patrick • November 10, 2026
Sihanoukville, Cambodia is a city I will long remember! On first look, you really wonder what is going on here. There are over 350 unfinished "ghost" buildings in the skyline and another 170 completed, but empty structures and it's not that big a place - so you really wonder! Apparently there has been a mass exodus of Chinese Real Estate and Casino investors. Back in 2019 the Cambodian Government banned online gaming and this collapsed the City's casino driven economy. Then Covid hit and the resulting slump in China's Real Estate funding stream has hit this coastal town hard. You would never know the hard times from the people. They are friendly, energetic and so happy to help.
By Pat Patrick • November 9, 2026
Cambodia was so lovely. I want to go back and show you all the days pre-eviction . We arrived late afternoon & were greeted at the Port by local performers & music, the Ministry of Tourism and were presented handmade scarf gifts.
By Pat Patrick • November 4, 2026
October has been a bit of a blur! My last post from Thailand , was about medical treatment and I'm happy to report all good; pathology negative and I'm healing nicely. What I haven't posted about, is what has been going on in the background of my fantastic voyage around the world . You have probably already seen a lot of news coverage and social media post and sorry I have done none. I have been busy weighing options, the logistics ( visas ugh! ) and gathering my things: organizing, weighing, purging, repacking, weighing again and flying. Below is my attempt of the short version, from my point of view and a map of area (and my quick stops) for reference.