December 7, 2024

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands

We arrived in Tortola around 2pm Saturday November 30th. The port was hoping with 2 other big ships in dock. The top attraction is the Baths on Virgin Gorda, need to go by ferry or private boat. There was no ferry on Sunday out of our port Road Town, but there was the option to cab to end of island and catch ferry from Beef Island. We took this option because there were no other ships in port with us Sunday but Monday 2 huge ones were coming in and we didn't want to compete with them. So glad we did this!! Was a lot of logistics and web searches but it so paid off! Cathy & Rod and I were walking to cabs through port shop area where we ran into Bosco who was at loose ends and decided to join us! Bosco is tons of fun, sooo smart and entertaining. He has traveled far and wide and so open to new adventures. Loves to play all sorts of games, board, video, role playing, cards etc.  and brings so much enthusiasm and really good at teaching and making you as excited as he is about life!  He has taught me 2 games to date and many more I want to learn!

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, THE BATHS National Park

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One of the coolest excursions I have done to date! The images are so great in my memory and these photos show me things I didn't even take in, when I was there! Loved spending the day with Bosco and my cousin Cathy & Rod! We ran into Eddie and Angel from ship, when they were leaving, and they recommended getting a guide to take you through caves because there were so many unique pathways. None were available when we asked, but we convince ticket taker at park entry, to be our guide on his lunch break! It was a blast! He showed us all kinds of nooks and crannies to climb into, under and through! And we practically had the place to ourselves! Typically you only need a little over an hour there to walk thru the bulk of the circular path they have established. We spent 2 to 3 and then swam in cove for awhile. Was over on the 11 am shuttle, had lunch and then went with guide from 2 to 4 and swam till 5. Had some drinks and watched sunset, while waiting for 630 ferry back to Tortola. Our cab driver from a.m. met us back at port and took us back to ship. Ride back in dark was much slower, tons of cars on road also coming back from Lobster Fest. We made dinner by 8 pm on ship! Was a great day!


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TIANMEN MOUNTAIN, ZHANGJIAJIE NATIONAL FOREST, CHINA

By Pat Patrick • September 13, 2026
Tianmen Mountain , also known as Heaven's Gate , is where the dramatic natural arch is at the top of a staircase 999 steps! This is in a whole different section of the Zhangjaijie National Forest then we did yesterday. Getting up to the plaza at Upper Station, to start the ascent to Heaven's Gate , is quite extensive in itself. First we took a 30 minute cable car ride from the town of Zhangjaijie; then a bus ride you have to strap in for up a series of hairpin turns, for another 30 minutes. Then you climb a couple of staircases to make it to Upper Station . To get to the Peak of the Mountain, you either climb the 999 steps or take a series of 12 escalators inside the mountain. The upper station cableway is currently closed for renovations, so the options above were limited and very crowded.

FURONG ANCIENT TOWN, CHINA

By Pat Patrick • September 13, 2026
We had arranged for a driver to pick us up at the Zhangjaijie National Forest at 2:30pm, so we could have a much needed break for the 2 hour drive to Furong Ancient Town. That way, we could explore Furong at night, which is the best time to see it, have a bit of a rest and still be in a good position, to see more of the Forest, the next day.

ZHANGJIAJIE - NORTH GATE

By Pat Patrick • September 13, 2026
When we arrived at the Zhangjiajie train station, we had a driver meet us to take us all the way to the little village just outside the North Gate of the Zhangjiajie National Forest, which was about a 2 hour ride.This put us in a great position to get right into the Park early the next morning before the large crowds and access to the top section of the park, in lieu of the more crowded routes, coming in from the base of the mountains from downtown. We stayed at an older resort called Stilt Paradise and the place had a rustic charm as did the whole one street village. It was close to 7:30 pm when we arrived. We went in search of dinner, which commenced a session of pointing at photo's on their billboard and piecing together an order with google translate, to get the basic dumplings and noodles.