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September 23-24, 2025 MARTI EICHOLZ The Odyssey departs Tainan’s Anping Port, a historic area in Taiwan known for its canal and fishing harbor and cruises to Subic Bay, Philippines, a maritime crossing, experiencing a “rocking and rolling” ship. Sailors have used the phrase "rocking and rolling" for centuries to describe the movement of a ship. It feels like a shifting sensation, the deck beneath you tilting forward and backward, then side to side. You are in constant adjustment, moving your body to maintain balance, a bit like dancing, having a sense of the sea, experiencing the power of the waves and the ship’s interaction with them. It’s a rainy day, some shipmates like being on deck, feeling the fresh air and cool breeze, making everything seem calm and cozy. Others enjoy staying indoors, listening to the soothing sound of rain, seeing the world outside the ship’s windows transform into a mesmerizing spectacle. The sky is a canvas of grey, with heavy clouds hanging low, casting a soft, muted light over everything. Raindrops cascade down the glass, creating a rhythmic patter. Our journey to Subic Bay is over. The captain and his crew managed the typhoon. The port is close by, puddles are forming on the pavement, reflecting the somber sky, we hear the sound of drum rolls, we see people scurrying, umbrellas in hand, their silhouettes blurred by the curtain of rain. People are celebrating, their eyes are on our ship. “Oh, Captain Val, Our Odyssey Captain, they’re waving flags for you.” Subic Bay is situated on the southwestern coast of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines, along the South China Sea. The area features a rugged shoreline with numerous coves and inlets. Subic Bay itself is an embayment (cove) of the South China Sea, approximately thirty-five miles northwest of Manila Bay. Its climate is tropical and maritime, typical of the Philippines, characterized by high temperatures, high humidity, and abundant rainfall throughout the year. Subic Bay is a well-established port of call known for its ecotourism and unique attractions like the Pamulaklakin Forest and Zoobic Park, offering a combination of natural beauty and historical exploration. Pamulaklakin Forest, an Aeta tribal ancestral home located in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone is known for its beautiful scenery through the jungle and along a creek, guided forest trails where you learn about indigenous survival skills, such as making fire and cooking with bamboo. The immersive experience includes learning about the uses of various trees and plants for medicinal properties or for producing water, demonstrating traditional survival skills, such as making fire from bamboo and crafting utensils with a machete. You gain insights into the Aeta's daily life, customs, and a deeper understanding of their culture as you explore their ancestral home, and participate in traditional cooking methods, such as cooking rice and other foods in bamboo, coming away with a deep appreciation for their harmonious way of life with the forest. Zoobic Safari is a forest adventure theme park, riding in a vehicle with screen-protected doors to see tigers in their natural habitat with opportunities to feed them. It features interactive exhibits like a petting zoo for various animals like deer, ostriches, and monkeys, and serpentarium, a dedicated area to view a variety of cold-blooded reptiles, such as boas, pythons, lizards, and monitor lizards, and cave areas. You can also encounter other large cats like lions and walk on elevated walkways over crocodile enclosures. Subic Bay offers a mix of historical remnants from its past as a U.S. Naval Base and El Kabayo Falls, a refreshing natural site with cascading waterfalls surrounded by a serene forest and the adventure activities of Inflatable Island, a large floating playground with trampolines and climbing walls. Explore the waterfront and see the area that was once used by Navy ships, now a free-enterprise zone, enjoy its scenic lagoon view while dining on classic Filipino dishes, relax on soft white sand, crystal blue water beaches with thatched huts for shade like Baloy Beach and Dungaree Beach, learn about marine conservation and enjoy dolphin and sea lion shows at Ocean Adventure, and experience the natural beauty of its mangroves and triple-canopied rainforests with sites for birdwatching like Magaul Bird Park. Subic Bay has been strategically important for centuries, serving as a coaling station for the Spanish fleet and later as the U.S. Navy's largest overseas installation. The base was returned to the Philippines in 1992 and became a model for base conversion, transforming into a successful free-enterprise zone with manufacturing, tourism, and coordination industries. In 1975, following the Fall of Saigon, Subic Bay served as a temporary processing center for thousands of Vietnamese refugees rescued at sea by the U.S. Navy. The bay's waters are dotted with numerous shipwrecks from World War II and earlier periods, making it a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The Holy Land in Subic Bay is a spiritual theme park and sanctuary featuring numerous life-sized statues and replicas of biblical scenes. You can walk along trails with life-sized statues depicting each station of the cross, offering a pathway for prayer and contemplation. It provides a tranquil atmosphere for pilgrims to experience moments from Jesus's life, such as the Garden of Eden, the Last Supper and the Stations of the Cross. The site, surrounded by lush greenery, also includes a chapel, the Chapel of Cana, a prayer wall where you can engage in prayer and reflection, souvenir shops, retreat cottages for overnight stays, providing a peaceful, reflective environment that enhances a deeper faith and spiritual understanding. Experiencing Funtastic Park in Subic Bay can be a mixed adventure, offering engaging attractions like a Mirror Maze, Garden Labyrinth, and a science-themed area with a 3D Enchanted Forest Garden and a Science Zone with interactive displays, and the Gold Rush where you can try to find gold in the sand or capturing unique photos in creative settings like the Inverted Room. With its unique exhibits and interactive displays, it is small-sized with simple attractions, focused on specific educational and illusion-based attractions, not the same level of thrills as larger amusement parks. Subic Bay offers a fascinating mix of natural beauty, including its deep natural harbor and mountain backdrop, but also offers a unique blend of history, nature, and modern attractions. You may wonder what activities we have to choose from when we are at sea and out running a typhoon. They vary with lots of choices. Today’s choices for the five o’clock hour: Stay active with Chair Aerobics led by Resident Rina. Join fellow residents for Bible Study, where we come together in prayer and worship. Before dinner, relax and enjoy live music performed by Anne, a talented classical musician. Afternoon Trivia, come and evaluate your knowledge with Ollie! Eight o’clock choices: Don't miss “The Light at Night,” Villa Vie’s exciting new live talk show! This week’s theme is “art,” featuring special guests Sarah (Watercolor Instructor), Anna (Pianist), and Ollie (Entertainment Manager). Afterward, join us in the Observatory for a special celebratory performance by Anna, complete with a toast to mark our first month of shows! Step into the intrigue of Mystery Night: Cruising for Murder. Pack your bags for an evening full of secrets, scandals, and nautical mischief! This is an interactive event, where shipmates participate in a live, staged murder mystery, portraying characters and guiding a story of crime and investigation, piecing together the puzzle and making an accusation about who committed the crime, ultimately identifying the culprit. It is time to sail to our next port, Manila, Philippines. Our Captain will continue to stay one step ahead of tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and typhoons, keeping us safe. |
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