Seeing Art in a New Dimension at Art in Paradise

 Art in Paradise in Chiang Mai isn’t your typical art museum. There are no security guards warning you to not step too close to the exhibits or rope barrier keeping you away from the art. Instead, this place invites you to throw yourself—sometimes literally—into the artwork. This unique 3D art museum blurs the line between reality and illusion, with its playful and interactive exhibits that transform flat, 2D surfaces into captivating 3D experiences. Each room offers a different theme, from the mysteries of ancient Egypt to the enchanting depths of the ocean, inviting visitors to become part of the art. For us, the real joy came from exploring these surreal spaces together, posing for countless photos, and marveling at the creativity behind the illusions.

Hiking Chiang Mai: Waterfalls, Wats, and Worthy Climbs

 Easy hikes,” they said. “It’ll be fun,” they said. And to be fair, they weren’t entirely wrong. But when you’re staring up a rocky trail that seems to climb straight into the clouds, “easy” feels like an inside joke you’re not quite in on.

First views of the wat at the top of the steps

Wrong Turns and Right Views: Settling into Chiang Mai, Thailand

After a short but busy stay in Singapore, we arrived in Chiang Mai, Thailand, ready for the next phase of our travels. It was time to unwind, explore, and... cautiously rebuild our financial footing after the misadventures chronicled in our last post (RIP, Singapore ATM-eaten debit card). With one card left, we were in no mood to gamble with machines and sought reassurance at every step.

Elephant statue overlooking the Old Chiang Mai Moat

Singapore Stopover

Singapore—a city where everything gleams, everything works, and everything reminds you not to break the rules. It was our two-day stopover en route to Thailand, a chance to see a friend, stretch our legs, and apparently, lose a debit card to a hungry ATM.

It started at the airport. Bright, efficient, and humming with activity, where we foolishly assumed we'd withdraw some cash and be on our way with Singaporean dollars. Singapore, however, had other plans. The ATM promptly swallowed our card without so much as an apology. We were left standing there, cashless, in one of the world’s priciest cities.

Thus began a half  day quest unsuccessfully trying to retrieve the card. On the bright side, Singapore loves credit cards almost as much as it loves issuing fines, so we managed to get by—and at least we got to see a bit of the city while walking to and from the bank!

Our second day began at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The air was hot, the humidity high, and the scenery promising. With no paper maps available, we snapped a picture of the painted map on a signboard and looked it over, pretending this was as good as a GPS. 

A helpful gentleman approached us, clearly worried we were about to overestimate our capabilities. “There’s a nice, flat 2-kilometer route,” he assured us, glancing at us with the kindly skepticism reserved for the elderly or easily lost. “Plenty of benches to rest along the way.”

We thanked him for the advice while suppressing laughter. “Sure,” we thought, “2 kilometers, benches—perfect for us decrepit souls.” Armed with his encouragement and absolutely zero trail maps (because, as he reassured us, there were none), we set off.

Nevertheless, his advice set the tone for the day. We embarked on what would eventually be a 6.5-mile exploration of the gardens, laughing each time we passed a bench or paused at yet another well-placed map. 

Blossoms of a wild Banana 

Well-marked trails led us past lush greenery and stunning sculptures. and a canopy walk. 

Sculpture of Swans and their reflection in Swan Lake

 A small waterfall tucked into the gardens also caught our attention, allowing us to walk behind its curtain of water for a refreshing pause.

The gardens were busy, with joggers, walkers, and fitness groups making their way along the paths. It was clear that this space was a haven for both nature lovers and city dwellers needing a break from the relentless urban energy. The atmosphere was peaceful, the flora stunning, and the experience a delightful reminder of how nature can coexist with city life.

Wonderfully large and luscious leaves

As for the city itself, Singapore takes neatness and order to a whole new level. It’s as if Singapore lives by the motto: “New is always better,” with buildings torn down and replaced every 20 years and there are rules that tell you to replace your car every 10 years. Even the construction equipment looks brand new. 

It is full of reminders not to mess up. Fines for everything—from smoking to chewing gum—meant it felt incredibly safe but also mildly intimidating. Flying into Singapore was the first time that I heard the announcement threatening death for drug violations. Maybe a little more than mildly intimidating!  It’s an odd juxtaposition: a city that feels perfectly safe but also oddly threatening in its enforcement of perfection.

In the end, our Singapore adventure was short and sweet (well, steamy and a little stressful). We reconnected with our friend David, walked far more than anticipated, and even managed a few laughs despite the ongoing ATM saga. As we left for Thailand, we couldn’t help but wonder: will our next ATM swallow our card too? Will the benches be as plentiful?

Stay tuned—our next stop promises adventure, a vacation from life aboard Rhapsody, and hopefully, access to actual cash.

Next phase for Rhapsody, it's the pits

Cyclone season is back, and cruisers everywhere in the South Pacific are scrambling to make their grand exit. Most pack up and head south to New Zealand, others west to Australia, and then there’s a small group of us who stay put in Fiji. Last year, we rolled the dice, kept Rhapsody close to a “hurricane hole” (or as close to one as you can get in the Pacific), and decided to try our luck. Cyclone Mal stopped by for a brief visit, (you can read about our experience here) but otherwise, we enjoyed quiet anchorages, empty marinas, and zero races to the best anchoring spots with other boats.

Part Three: A New Engine for Rhapsody

After weeks of planning, preparation, and patience, we finally arrived at Denarau, and Rhapsody was hauled out, ready for her major heart surgery. Our old engine had carried us through many journeys, but now it was time to welcome its replacement.

The very next morning, a large crate caught my eye near the mechanic’s shop. Could it be? I went over for a closer look—and there it was, our brand-new engine, a striking shade of blue. After all the anticipation, I felt a mix of relief that it had arrived safely, excitement to finally re-power, and a bit of nervousness about the installation ahead.

Engine Failure, Part 2, Towing Rhapsody

This is the continuing saga of our engine woes. If you missed part one and want to read that first, click here.

After the death of our engine, many people asked, "Aren’t you a sailboat? Can’t you just sail?" Well, yes, but it wasn’t that simple. We faced two major challenges—one at the beginning and one at the end of our journey.

Rhapsody is located at the blue dot. The typical entrances to this anchorage are left and right, just north of where Rhapsody was anchored. The route due south was more direct, and shorter in the long run, but involved more maneuvering around reefs.

Engine Failure in the Remote Yasawa Islands of Fiji

The Alarm

We were less than five minutes out of the anchorage we had been taking refuge in for the past week. It was a calm, peaceful morning when the shrill sound of the engine alarm cut through the quiet. We immediately cut the engine and tried restarting it, hoping it was just a glitch. But no luck—the alarm came right back on.

Better Vision across the islands of Fiji

 "There you go, Mere (pronounced Mary)" "What do you think?" 

Mere was silent as she looked around the community center where we had set up our temporary eyeglass clinic. Suddenly she jumped up and ran outside. She began looking all around, looking up at the trees, looking at the buildings around her and a big smile broke across her face. 

"Wow,  I can see!"

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree

 "Eating all the gumdrops he can see.

Fall Down Under

 The leaves are turning colors, the nights are getting longer and the days shorter, temperatures are dropping. April in Australia is the middle of the autumn. 

A Different Perspective

 Sydney Opera house, 

from the perspective of a building contractor. Bob is the type of person who will stop a movie to point out those "nice doors". The following video clips give a glimpse into what he is thinking when he looks at buildings. 

Our First Outing in Sydney

 A sunny afternoon on day one in ‘Oz’ , as the locals call it, and Sarah and I walked about a mile to the Art Museum of New South Wales.  About 70 degrees and calm as we experience ‘down under’ autumn. This quite large spider commands attention outside the entrance.

And they are off...

 But where to?

Our journey began in the morning with a short ferry ride to a waiting taxi to the airport. We asked the manager at the marina where Rhapsody is staying to book a taxi for us. I overheard the woman describing us to the taxi driver, "An old couple, with 2 suitcases". I think this is the first time I have heard myself described this way, and this sparked a conversation between Bob and me (and Google). What is considered old? When do we cross into elderly? Apparently there are accepted guidelines for this, and Google says old begins in your 50's and "officially" you are elderly beginning at 65. Sigh... really not ready for someone to describe me as an elderly lady!

Ahh, boat life!

" So, how long are you planning on cruising?"

"As long as it is fun."

"Is it still fun?"

"Depends. What day is it?"

Swimming with the whales!

Tonga is known for its annual migration of humpback whales coming to mate and calve. Every July to October, they migrate from the Antarctic to Tonga. In July and August new babies are born and if you can time it right and get lucky, you may have an opportunity to swim near a mother and her calf.