November 14, 2026 – Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Since October 27, when we were given the order to abandon ship, my life has been in a state of uncertainty and chaos.

My biggest headache has been what to do with my belongings. My cabin was small, but I somehow ended up with over 250 lbs of stuff. (5 boxes/suitcases, about 50 pounds each). I threw out, gave away or left behind about 50 lbs. Then schlepped everything else to a hotel, where Michelle and I spent several days repacking. Here is what our hotel room looked like during that process.

Our Odyssey is currently anchored outside of Singapore, waiting for auction, bankruptcy, or perhaps, a second chance. Some of my shipmates are hard at work trying to bring it back to life.

The travel-weary me wants to go back home (wherever that may be!) and to the comfort of the familiar. But adventurous me still has so much of the world to see. I got a China visa (not an easy task!) before I embarked on this adventure, and I intend to use it. So, my short-term plan is to spend the next few weeks in China, Mongolia, and perhaps Laos. I leave for Beijing in the morning.

The Cambodia Ministry of Tourism has generously offered to store our belongings for free (thanks Joel, for coordinating that), and I’ve taken them up on the offer. I’ll take two suitcases with me to China. The rest I hope to pick after I return. And after that? I haven’t been able to think that far ahead, other than I will likely be heading back stateside at some point.

Do I regret getting embroiled in this adventure? It’s a question I’ve been asking myself almost daily. It’s been a whirlwind two years. I woke up in a different place on earth each day, which has always been my dream. Explored the best–and the worst–of 50+ countries and 205 ports. Crafted 500+ blog posts. Added 1000+ birds to my life list. Saw thousands of temples, glaciers, murals and the bluest waters. Spent many hours getting to know my eclectic shipmates. Had a polka birthday party at sea, snorkled, and plunged into Antarctic waters. Lost my mind and fell recklessly in love. I’ve gotten more life out of the last two years than most people get in a lifetime. So no, I don’t have regrets. What I do have is anger at the mismanagement and hubris that caused this adventure to grind to a halt. But no regrets. And yes, I would do it all over again.

I don’t know who the original author of this quote is, but it’s been making the rounds on Facebook, and it made me laugh when I saw it on my shipmate Shirene’s page. It speaks to me at this moment in my life:

But if that’s too much unbridled positivity for you, here is a counterpoint from another shipmate. I’ve been vacillating between the two approaches!

In the meantime, I’ll be waiting for that next door to open.