Olive Voyages

10/10/2026

EDDIE!!! Without him I wouldn’t have the memories that I have of Sumba.

10/10/2026

🧵 TRADITIONAL SUMBANESE IKAT WEAVING

Our first stop was a local weaving shop where artisans create beautiful textiles using traditional hand-weaving and dyeing techniques.

These aren’t just souvenirs. The patterns carry cultural meaning, and some pieces take months to create.

10/10/2026

🇮🇩 SUMBA, INDONESIA — THE ISLAND THAT HOLDS ITS CULTURE LIKE GOLD. ✨

Of all our cruise ports, Sumba was the one I researched the MOST. I originally dreamed of renting scooters and exploring on our own, but something told me this island deserved a local guide.

Through TikTok, I connected with a local who introduced us to his brother, Eddie.

And what an unforgettable day he gave us. ❤️

🚢 PORT WAINGAPU — EAST SUMBA

We arrived around 1 PM, with our ship departing at 9 PM.

Children welcomed us with traditional warrior dances, wooden swords and incredible energy. Sumba is famous for its horse culture and Pasola, a traditional mounted spear-fighting ceremony.

Within minutes of leaving the port, we witnessed a scooter accident.

When we asked Eddie about the police, he explained that the people involved would first have a “heart-to-heart.”

A HEART-TO-HEART?! 😂

He described how families sometimes try to settle accidents privately because involving authorities can be expensive.

Already, we were learning how differently life works here.

🧵 TRADITIONAL SUMBANESE IKAT WEAVING

Our first stop was a local weaving shop where artisans create beautiful textiles using traditional hand-weaving and dyeing techniques.

These aren’t just souvenirs. The patterns carry cultural meaning, and some pieces take months to create.

🏡 PRAILIU TRADITIONAL VILLAGE

This was fascinating.

Towering traditional roofs, ancestral beliefs, enormous stone tombs and generations of family history.

Sumba’s indigenous Marapu traditions remain deeply connected to ancestors, ceremonies and community life.

We arrived as villagers were preparing for a funeral. Children played nearby while families gathered and preparations continued.

It was a reminder that this wasn’t a tourist attraction created for us.

We were visitors in someone’s home and living culture.

🌴 WALAKIRI BEACH

Next came the famous dancing mangrove trees!

Small local food stalls, fresh fish, cold drinks and a bathroom experience that reminded us we were definitely NOT at a luxury resort. 😂

And that’s when my Capricorn personality took over.

I looked at Eddie and said:

“I WANT THE HILLS.” ♑️

He smiled.

I rounded up our little group, and off we went!

🌾 BUKIT WAIRINDING — THE GOLDEN HILLS

OH. MY. GOODNESS. 😍

Rolling golden grasslands stretching as far as you can see, horses grazing and the afternoon sun turning everything into gold.

Local children greeted us, practiced their English and offered horseback rides.

One little boy even stood up on his horse to entertain us!

The community entrance fee was approximately 30,000 IDR per person during our visit.

And the views?

ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS.

On the drive back, Eddie shared stories about family, education, poverty and his hopes for Sumba’s future.

For our private tour covering all four stops, we paid approximately 1.5 million IDR for four people, plus a well-deserved tip.

By the time we returned to the ship, Eddie felt more like a friend than a guide.

Sumba isn’t Bali.

It’s an island with its own remarkable history, traditions, challenges and extraordinary beauty.

And sometimes the greatest luxury in travel isn’t a five-star resort.

It’s having someone invite you to see their world through their eyes. 💛

📌 SAVE THIS EAST SUMBA TRAVEL GUIDE

🚢 Port Waingapu — cruise arrival
🧵 Traditional ikat weaving workshop
🏡 Prailiu Village — traditional houses and ancestral tombs
🌴 Walakiri Beach — dancing mangroves
🌾 Bukit Wairinding — spectacular golden hills
🐎 Learn about Sumba’s horse culture
🚗 Private local guide — Eddie
📱 Facebook: .guesthouse

💡 TRAVEL TIP: Arrange a local guide in advance, carry Indonesian rupiah in small denominations, ask permission before photographing people or ceremonies, and leave plenty of time to return to your ship.

Sumba will stay with me forever. Not because it was perfect, but because it was REAL. 🇮🇩❤️

10/08/2026

🇦🇺 FREMANTLE, AUSTRALIA — DON’T SKIP THIS PORT! 🦘🌊

When our cruise ship docked in Fremantle, just outside Perth, we had a full day of exploring planned. And what a day it turned out to be!

Our first adventure? ROTTNEST ISLAND! 🏝️

We walked along Victoria Quay to catch the ferry over to Rottnest, affectionately called Rotto by Australians.

Once there, we hopped on the Island Explorer bus, which circles the island with stops at some of the most BEAUTIFUL beaches I’ve ever seen. Turquoise water, white sand, secluded coves…absolutely breathtaking!

And then we met the famous QUOKKAS! 🦘😍

These adorable little marsupials are native to Western Australia and famous for their seemingly permanent smiles. They are curious little creatures, and getting to see them up close was unforgettable!

But here’s my biggest travel tip…

DON’T SKIP FREMANTLE!

After returning by ferry, we went back to the ship, freshened up and headed out again.

We crossed the railway at the designated crossing and wandered into downtown Fremantle, known locally as Freo.

Historic buildings, little boutiques, cafés, shopping and a lively college-town atmosphere. It’s also home to the University of Notre Dame Australia!

Then we stumbled upon something incredible.

🏰 THE ROUND HOUSE & WHALERS TUNNEL

What looked like an old castle was actually part of Western Australia’s colonial history!

The Round House dates to 1831 and was originally a jail. Beneath it, prisoners carved a tunnel through limestone in the 1830s to transport whale products from the beach into town.

Walking through that tunnel, with its dramatic atmosphere and artwork, was an experience all its own.

And on the other side?

🌅 BATHERS BEACH!

A gorgeous little beach with a beachfront bar, where we watched the sun set over the Indian Ocean before making our way back to the ship.

One port. Two islandside adventures. A little history. A little shopping. Some adorable quokkas. And one unforgettable sunset.

THIS is why I love exploring beyond the cruise terminal! ❤️

📌 SAVE THIS FREMANTLE TRAVEL GUIDE

⛴️ Rottnest Island ferry — Victoria Quay, check B Shed/O’Connor Landing
🚌 Island Explorer — hop-on, hop-off bus
🦘 Quokkas — admire and photograph, don’t touch or feed
🏛️ Fremantle historic West End
🎓 University of Notre Dame Australia
🏰 Round House & Whalers Tunnel
🌅 Bathers Beach / Bathers Beach House
🚢 Allow plenty of time to return to your ship!

💡 CRUISE TIP: If you have a late departure, Rottnest Island AND Fremantle can make an amazing combination. Just check ferry schedules before booking—don’t assume the last ferry is at 4 PM.

And if you have more time, you can also take a scenic cruise along the Swan River between Fremantle and Perth!

10/07/2026

🇸🇬 SINGAPORE — THE BEGINNING OF OUR TRIP AROUND THE WORLD 🌎

After what felt like an eternity traveling from Atlanta → Istanbul → Singapore, we finally landed.

We were exhausted, jet-lagged and had two choices:

Go to sleep…

or start exploring Singapore. 😂

Obviously, we chose Singapore.

Our first discovery was something I had NEVER experienced before: a 24-HOUR SPA.

🧖‍♀️ G.SPA SINGAPORE

You can literally spend hours here relaxing between flights or while waiting for hotel check-in.

Hot and cold pools. Sauna. Steam room. Relaxation lounges. Theater room. Massages.

AND FOOD. 😂

There’s an all-day à-la-carte buffet-style dining experience included with admission.

We added an hour massage, showered, ate and basically tried to convince our bodies that we hadn’t just crossed half the planet.

One thing couples should know: the wet spa facilities are separated by gender, so Wally and I couldn’t sauna/steam together. There are common relaxation areas where you can meet back up.

Then we checked into Novotel Singapore on Stevens.

Beautiful hotel and pool, but the room was definitely compact—which you’ll find isn’t unusual in a dense city like Singapore where space comes at a premium.

And somehow…we STILL weren’t going to bed. 😂

🌇 MARINA BAY SANDS AT SUNSET

We got dressed and headed to Marina Bay Sands for dinner at CÉ LA VI, 57 floors above Singapore.

Was dinner expensive?

YES.

Were the portions huge?

NO. 😂

Would I do it again for THAT VIEW?

ABSOLUTELY.

Watching Singapore transition from daylight → golden hour → that glittering nighttime skyline was surreal.

And seeing the famous Marina Bay Sands infinity pool sitting 57 stories above the city is something pictures simply don’t prepare you for.

Singapore’s skyline is INSANE. 😍

The next morning?

Apparently we still hadn’t relaxed enough. 😂

We found an anti-aging spa, got facials and treatments, then grabbed our luggage because it was time to board our ship.

And THAT was only the beginning.

🛳️ 22 days through Indonesia and Southern Australia…

then ✈️ Fiji…

then another cruise…

then Mexico…

and eventually back home to Atlanta.

🌎 A complete circle around the globe.

And somewhere along the way, we got to celebrate our birthdays.

Singapore wasn’t just another destination.

It was the place where one of the greatest adventures of our lives began. ❤️

📌 SAVE FOR SINGAPORE

🧖‍♀️ G.Spa — 24-hour spa + dining
🏨 Novotel Singapore on Stevens
🌇 Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
🍸 CÉ LA VI — sunset reservations!
🏙️ Marina Bay skyline

TRAVEL TIP: Flying into Singapore after a brutal long-haul journey? A 24-hour spa before hotel check-in might be one of the smartest layover/jet-lag ideas I’ve ever accidentally discovered. 😂

10/07/2026

10/07/2026

Singapore understood the assignment. ✨ Marina Bay Sands, glittering lights, and a skyline that knows exactly how good it looks. This city doesn’t need a filter. 🇸🇬🌃

10/07/2026

🇺🇸 SITKA, ALASKA — A RAINY DAY THAT SOMEHOW MADE IT EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL. 🌧️🏔️

Sitka ended up being one of my favorite stops in Alaska.

It rained.

And rained.

And RAINED. 😂

But honestly? The fog hanging between those mountains made Sitka look almost mystical.

Our first stop was Sitka National Historical Park, where we went inside the visitor center and watched the short film about the people and history of Sitka.

This became our little Alaska tradition: find the visitor center, watch the FREE movie, learn where we actually are…and THEN explore.

And Sitka has layers.

🪶 TLINGIT HISTORY

The Tlingit people have lived in Southeast Alaska for thousands of years.

We walked the Totem Trail through this gorgeous temperate rainforest, surrounded by Sitka spruce, western hemlock and incredible Tlingit and Haida poles.

These aren’t simply decorations.

The carvings can tell stories, commemorate people and events, represent clans and preserve ancestry.

And this beautiful forest also holds a much heavier history—the Battle of Sitka in 1804, when the Kiks.ádi Tlingit fought Russian forces for control of their homeland.

🇷🇺 RUSSIAN SITKA

Before Sitka was American, it was part of Russian America and was known as New Archangel.

We passed the Russian Bishop’s House, built in the 1840s.

What surprised me was learning that by the late 1800s, part of this building was being used as an orphanage and school for boys.

Standing there knowing children once lived and were educated inside those walls gave the building a completely different feeling.

Then we saw St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, one of the most recognizable reminders that Alaska was once Russian territory.

And nearby is Castle Hill—one of the most historically important places in Alaska.

That’s where Russia formally transferred Alaska to the United States in 1867.

We basically walked through Tlingit history → Russian America → American Alaska in ONE rainy afternoon.

⛪ We also passed St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, wandered the waterfront and followed portions of the Sitka Seawalk around Crescent Bay.

And then there were THE VIEWS. 😍

Fishing boats in the harbor.

Dark green mountains disappearing into clouds.

Fog floating between the peaks.

Rain dripping from the trees.

It wasn’t the bright-blue-sky Alaska you see in advertisements.

It was moody Alaska.

And I loved it.

We wandered through shops, looked at Russian nesting dolls, thrift shopped and eventually found Russian-style dumplings.

🥟 GET THE PELMENI.

Seriously.

Cold + rain + hot little Russian dumplings = perfection. 😂

Sitka isn’t somewhere I’d rush through.

Walk it.

Read the signs.

Watch the visitor-center film.

Walk the Totem Trail.

Look at the churches.

Learn why Russian architecture is sitting in the middle of Alaska.

And don’t let the rain ruin it.

Because sometimes the clouds are exactly what make Alaska look like…Alaska. 🌧️🏔️❤️

📌 SAVE FOR SITKA

🎬 Sitka National Historical Park Visitor Center
🪶 Totem Trail
🇷🇺 Russian Bishop’s House
⛪ St. Michael’s Cathedral
🏛️ Castle Hill
⛪ St. Peter’s by-the-Sea
🌊 Sitka Seawalk / Crescent Bay
🥟 Try Russian pelmeni
🛍️ Downtown Sitka
🌧️ Bring a GOOD rain jacket

TRAVEL TIP: You can experience a surprising amount of Sitka on foot without purchasing a big excursion. If I went back, the one thing I’d add would be a private whale/wildlife boat—especially if you don’t want to spend the day packed onto a large group tour.