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.

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.