Day 563: April 16, 2026 – Waingapu, Sumba, Indonesia
Last year’s birthday on the Odyssey was an all-out extravaganza, a polka party with the entire ship participating. This year, I swung to the other end of the spectrum and had an intimate pizza party with just a handful friends. I couldn’t fit 10 people into my itty-bitty cabin, so my generous friend Clarkey offered use of his balcony villa for the event.
My birthday cake had birdies on it. (Thanks Ruthanne!) I ran their picture through my Merlin Bird ID app, and it identified them as Graylag Geese. 😂 Wonder if I can add them to my bird life list?
We were in the small Indonesian port of Waingapu, which tracks with my long-standing tradition of celebrating my birthday somewhere I’ve never been before.
The birthday serenading started at exactly midnight the night before. Yes, I know it was way past my bedtime!
15 responses to “Another Birthday At Sea”
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Sto Lat Basia, niech zyje zyje nam
Dzieki!
This is brilliant and the balcony with the sunset looks perfect. Awesome !!
It was an excellent birthday view.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BASIA! Wow, that was MUCH more exciting than any birthday serenade I’ve heard! That guy must have great breath control or practice some kind of circular breathing!
He’s a legend on the ship for his ability to hold a note. We call him Pavarotti. 😄
Looks like it was fab. Is this the first time you had a live band just to sing Happy Birthday excluding polka dance music? You are just glowing. Happy Birthday and happy year ahead.
No, they actually do this for everyone’s birthday, some variation of it.
as always, I hope your day was special !!!!!!!!!
It was a lovely low-key day, just what I wanted.
Happy birthday and many happy returns! 🎂🎁🥳
Thanks Alison!
Happy happy birthday, dear Basia! I’m glad you didn’t break tradition 🥳🎂🥂🎉🫶🏽
Prasi, my fellow world traveler, happy to see you on here. And yes I’m glad I could keep the tradition going.