{"id":137327,"date":"2025-12-29T14:47:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T14:47:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/?page_id=137327"},"modified":"2026-05-08T14:27:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T14:27:21","slug":"moyas-adventures","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/?page_id=137327","title":{"rendered":"Moya&#8217;s Adventures"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"137327\" class=\"elementor elementor-137327\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f888e5c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5f888e5c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1280bc76 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1280bc76\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35569515 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"35569515\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Meet Moya, The<span class=\"underline-group\">\n  <i>Wandering Mouse<\/i>\n  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"text-underline lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/underline-light-blue.svg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\">\n<\/span><\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5aca47d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5aca47d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Meet our very own, Wandering Mouse! From Aruba to Japan, and everywhere in between, my adventurous companion has accompanied me and many other travelers around the world, experiencing the sites, sounds, and delicacies of the world.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a82a397 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a82a397\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Follow along Moya&#8217;s adventures below!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65d6f03b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"65d6f03b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"743\" src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Moya-Cutout-768x743.png\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-137332\" alt=\"Moya Mouse Cutout\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Moya-Cutout-768x743.png 768w, https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Moya-Cutout-300x290.png 300w, https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Moya-Cutout.png 1003w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25ad657d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"25ad657d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-607b100f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"607b100f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28b62b3b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"28b62b3b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-287db644 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"287db644\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Istanbul Adventures part 1<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bda44ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6bda44ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Of Cats, Kindness, and a City That Knows How to Care\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc02ae6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fc02ae6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\":vq\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":vo\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-3782\"><div dir=\"ltr\"><p>I flew to Istanbul for the holiday and my very first thought was wow, there are cats everywhere, and my second thought was how kind a place this must be to care for them so well. At first I tried to count how many cats I saw, but that plan quickly fell apart because they were truly everywhere, lounging on steps, watching from corners, and calmly sharing space with everyone passing by.<\/p><p>What surprised me most was that although most of them live freely on the streets, they aren\u2019t feral at all, because they are clearly loved, respected, and cared for by the Turkish people who make sure they have food, water, and safety. Even the cats themselves seemed to understand this kindness, because they were curious but gentle, calm but watchful, as if they knew they belonged exactly where they were. Wandering through Istanbul with cats as my quiet companions made my mouse heart very happy, because it showed me that a city can be busy, historic, and grand, while still being deeply soft at its edges.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-753c8b2f elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"753c8b2f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000032-1-768x913.jpg\" alt=\"000032\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/913;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000036-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"000036\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000030-1-768x948.jpg\" alt=\"000030\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/948;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000037-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"000037\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13a39cea e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"13a39cea\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74a32d72 elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"74a32d72\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000021-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"000021\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000023-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000023\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000028-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000028\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000027-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000027\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a78c602 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6a78c602\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2be1d704 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2be1d704\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d390719 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1d390719\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Istanbul Adventures part 2<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e57e2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3e57e2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A Friend Named Co\u015fkun and Stories Beneath the City\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-430eeb2e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"430eeb2e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\":wh\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":u3\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-3827\"><div dir=\"ltr\"><p>One of the best parts of wandering is the people you meet, and on my second day in Istanbul I was lucky enough to explore with\u00a0<strong>Co\u015fkun<\/strong>, whom I met at the Bricks Hotel where I stayed. From the very beginning, the hotel staff were thoughtful and kind, always making sure I had everything I needed, which made this little mouse feel very welcome far from home. Co\u015fkun works at the hotel, but he is also a highly educated and experienced guide, and he took me beneath the city to the <strong>Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarn\u0131c\u0131)<\/strong>, where cool water, ancient columns, and quiet echoes made history feel alive under my paws.<\/p><p>We also explored <strong>Topkap\u0131 Palace<\/strong>, walking through courtyards and gardens where centuries of rulers once lived, and everywhere we went he shared facts, stories, and context that helped me truly understand Istanbul\u2019s rich and layered past. I am deeply thankful to have met him, because he turned places into stories and moments into memories, and I hope very much that this wandering mouse and her friend Co\u015fkun will stay in touch long after my whiskers have moved on to the next adventure.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45cc2a4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"45cc2a4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6cd150c7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6cd150c7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d49ddea e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1d49ddea\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58c4cf1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"58c4cf1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">istanbul adventures part 3<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c390a46 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1c390a46\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Wandering the Grand Bazaar and Finding a Forever Rug<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f09273f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1f09273f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\":sr\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":vn\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-3975\"><div dir=\"ltr\"><div id=\":sr\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":vn\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-3975\"><div dir=\"ltr\">Shopping in Istanbul felt like wandering through living history, and I loved every curious step of it, especially while exploring the\u00a0<strong>Grand Bazaar<\/strong>\u00a0and the\u00a0<strong>Spice Market<\/strong>, where colors, textures, and scents swirl together like stories waiting to be discovered. Istanbul is famous for its handwoven rugs, shimmering ceramics, spices and teas, leather goods, and richly patterned textiles, and each shop felt like a tiny museum run by someone deeply proud of their craft. I found my rug at\u00a0<strong>Vezirhan<\/strong>, and the moment I saw it, I knew it was meant to come home with me, a beautiful blue rug with a pomegranate tree woven into its design, symbolizing life and abundance.<\/div><div dir=\"ltr\">\u00a0<\/div><div dir=\"ltr\">I learned how these rugs are made entirely by hand, knot by knot, and how the details tell you about the artist who created it, from subtle color changes to the rhythm of the weave and even the tiny imperfections that act like a signature. Standing there, very small beside towering stacks of rugs, I felt joyful knowing this one carried not just beauty but the quiet story of its maker, which is exactly the kind of treasure a wandering mouse hopes to find.\u00a0\u00a0<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2337a6a6 elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"2337a6a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000019-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"000019\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000034-1-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"000034\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000009-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"000009\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000033-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000033\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4642be5b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4642be5b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-304f0bc3 elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"304f0bc3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000012-2-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000012\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000017-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000017\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000038-1-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"000038\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000039-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"000039\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c0d7f7d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2c0d7f7d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37698068 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"37698068\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-730685ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"730685ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Istanbul travels part 4<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73af4a91 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"73af4a91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Where Two Worlds Meet and a Mouse Says Goodbye  \n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74f5ebb4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"74f5ebb4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\":sw\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":we\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-3872\"><div dir=\"ltr\">One of the very last things I did before heading back home to Kentucky was take a river cruise down the\u00a0<strong>Bosphorus<\/strong>, and it felt like the perfect way to say goodbye to Istanbul. This city is so wonderfully unique, with one side resting in Europe and the other in Asia, and as we cruised along the water flowing down from the Black Sea, I could see both continents at once, glowing softly under the night sky.<\/div><div dir=\"ltr\">\u00a0<\/div><div dir=\"ltr\">From the deck, mosques rose beautifully along the shoreline, their domes and minarets reflected in the water, reminding me how layered and historic this place truly is. Inside the boat, the food and entertainment were warm and lively, but it was the view outside that made my whiskers tingle, watching a city split between continents slide quietly past. Standing there, very small on a big boat between two worlds, I felt grateful for travel, for wonder, and for how beautiful the world becomes when we slow down enough to really experience it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42620161 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"42620161\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75e55ff7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"75e55ff7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7253b8a8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7253b8a8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54ed9285 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"54ed9285\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bonaire adventures<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c7d1cc2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3c7d1cc2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Blue Water, Quiet Sand, and a Place I\u2019ll Return To\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31a0ad2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"31a0ad2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\":rz\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":vz\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-3647\"><div dir=\"ltr\"><p>My final stop on the Majestic Princess was Bonaire, and it quietly became my favorite of all, because it felt like the island was inviting me to slow down and breathe. I took a water taxi out to\u00a0<strong>Klein Bonaire<\/strong>, the small uninhabited island just offshore that\u2019s famous for snorkeling, and even the ride felt like part of the adventure, complete with a cool drink in my paw and a snorkel rented and ready.<\/p><p>Once I reached the island, I waddled into the water and swam out to where the sand suddenly drops away into deep blue, and there I could see coral clinging to the edge before it faded into the vast sea where turtles, fish, and other creatures moved freely below me. Floating there was peaceful in a way that made my whole mouse body relax, even my whiskers, which seemed to enjoy the salt air as much as I did. As I dried off on the quiet beach, I promised myself I would come back someday, because Bonaire feels like the kind of place meant for a longer stay and maybe even a magical night snorkel under the stars.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-662992f5 elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"662992f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000024-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000024\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000030-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"000030\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000014-768x431.jpg\" alt=\"000014\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/431;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000013-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000013\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9b9ce8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d9b9ce8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2b135 elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"c2b135\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000034-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000034\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000038-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000038\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000032-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"000032\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000035-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"000035\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ed6fa4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6ed6fa4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48466d45 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"48466d45\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38b2c54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"38b2c54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Aruba Adventures<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29a971f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"29a971f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Traversing Aruba's Beautiful Scenery<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-611d5a49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"611d5a49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\":pa\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":pp\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-1200\"><div dir=\"ltr\">Aruba made my little mouse heart do a happy dance. I scurried my way to the Pepe Margo Distillery first, where shiny bottles and island rum told stories of Aruba\u2019s sugarcane past and the people who turn history into something delicious; I felt very important standing there, soaking it all in. Then I followed the smell of coffee into a cozy local coffee and paint shop, where art splashed across walls and cups alike.<\/div><div dir=\"ltr\">\u00a0<\/div><div dir=\"ltr\">This island doesn\u2019t just make things, it <em>celebrates<\/em>\u00a0them, and I love discovering places where creativity hides in plain sight. Wandering the sunny streets, I noticed how Aruba feels like many worlds stitched together &#8211; Caribbean warmth, colorful buildings, friendly smiles, and a pace that invites a curious mouse to explore slowly. When I finally stood beneath the big \u201cI\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"an1 lazyload\" draggable=\"false\" data-src=\"https:\/\/fonts.gstatic.com\/s\/e\/notoemoji\/16.0\/2764_fe0f\/72.png\" alt=\"\u2764\ufe0f\" width=\"15\" height=\"15\" data-emoji=\"\u2764\ufe0f\" aria-label=\"\u2764\ufe0f\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 15px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 15\/15;\" \/>\u00a0Aruba\u201d sign, I understood why everyone loves it here: Aruba is joyful, welcoming, and full of surprises, and for a wanderer like me, that\u2019s the very best kind of place to be.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-704715fe e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"704715fe\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4615d365 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4615d365\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-698b8cea e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"698b8cea\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73753003 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"73753003\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Curacao adventures part 1<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-783fb9ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"783fb9ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Holiday Lights, Warm Breezes, and a Mouse Back at Sea\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b8889c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b8889c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\":r5\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":qg\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-1110\"><div dir=\"ltr\"><p>I boarded another ship with a happy little hop, knowing that while I wouldn\u2019t be crossing big oceans this time, I was headed for beautiful places in the Caribbean, starting with\u00a0<strong>Cura\u00e7ao<\/strong> in the ABC Islands, which made my whiskers twitch with excitement. There\u2019s something extra special about being at sea during the holidays, when it\u2019s warm outside but the ship sparkles with lights, trees, and festive cheer, so of course I pulled on my holiday hat and scarf for photos among the decorations.<\/p><p>Walking through the glowing atrium felt cozy and grand all at once, with music drifting through the air and everyone smiling a little more than usual, and I loved that mix of sunshine and seasonal magic. As the Majestic Princess carried me onward, I felt grateful for how travel keeps finding new ways to surprise me, because even a wandering mouse can celebrate the holidays in sandals, surrounded by lights, warmth, and the promise of island adventures just ahead.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62a6e35a elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"62a6e35a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000012-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000012\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000005-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000005\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000007-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000007\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000002-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000002\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65933808 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"65933808\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-223a4402 elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"223a4402\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000051-768x888.jpg\" alt=\"000051\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/888;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000047-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000047\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000053-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000053\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000057-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000057\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d2793f2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1d2793f2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4689e56e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4689e56e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79116215 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"79116215\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Curacao adventures part 2<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-163579cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"163579cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Painted Walls, Warm Bites, and a Fort Full of Stories\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9f0b466 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9f0b466\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\":pg\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":r6\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-1155\"><div dir=\"ltr\"><p>My first stop in the ABC Islands was Cura\u00e7ao, and it instantly felt like a place made for wandering, with its bright colors, layered history, and creativity around every corner. I explored\u00a0<strong>Rif Fort<\/strong>, a historic fortress that once guarded the harbor and now stands proudly as a reminder of the island\u2019s past, and I loved how old stone walls and modern island life coexist so happily there.<\/p><p>As I wandered through Willemstad, the street art completely stole my heart, with murals bursting from quiet alleys and sunny streets, each one feeling like a secret waiting to be found by a curious mouse. I also made sure to try <strong>pastechi<\/strong>, the beloved local snack, and let me tell you, holding something warm and flaky while exploring made everything better, especially just enjoying the moment. Cura\u00e7ao made my mouse heart very happy, because it celebrates color, culture, and the joy of discovering something wonderful simply by wandering along.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46871981 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"46871981\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43f364d2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"43f364d2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59cdd366 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"59cdd366\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6fb136fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6fb136fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Tokyo adventures part 1<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5dc0c946 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5dc0c946\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Onsen, Pok\u00e9mon Treats, and Standing at the Center of Japan\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-395bab3e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"395bab3e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\":o2\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":qd\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-964\"><div dir=\"ltr\"><p>As I spent more time in Tokyo, I discovered that this city knows exactly how to balance wonder and comfort, which suits a wandering mouse like me just fine. I bravely tried a small open air onsen, tucked away and peaceful, where warm water and quiet air soothed my travel weary paws and made me feel wonderfully cared for. Another day brought me to the Pok\u00e9mon Cafe, a place so cheerful and imaginative that I nearly forgot to sit still, as adorable treats arrived looking almost too magical to eat, though I did admire them very closely.<\/p><p>One of my proudest moments was standing near Nihonbashi Bridge, the historic spot that marks point zero for distance measurements across Japan, and I felt very important knowing all roads begin there, even for a tiny mouse. Tokyo kept surprising me with its kindness, creativity, and thoughtful details, and my little mouse heart was delighted by how much joy can fit into one very big city.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36905e35 elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"36905e35\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000156-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000156\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000160-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000160\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000146-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000146\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000161-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000161\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21ce18b7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"21ce18b7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14f8321 elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"14f8321\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000130-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000130\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000168-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000168\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000143-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000143\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000144-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000144\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26cabf52 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"26cabf52\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c93a290 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6c93a290\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-255fe73c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"255fe73c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Tokyo adventures part 2<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c66d206 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1c66d206\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ears On, Heart Full, and a Little Mouse Dream Come True\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-538086e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"538086e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\":p7\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":pk\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-1009\"><div dir=\"ltr\"><p>My final days in Japan were sprinkled with pure magic as I explored Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, wearing my very own pair of Disney ears and a Lost Boys hat that made me feel especially brave and adventurous. What I loved most was how kind and thoughtful everyone was, with guests sitting neatly on blankets for the parades so every mouse, child, and grown up could see, which made my heart feel warm and safe. I soared over Tokyo\u2019s version of the Soarin ride, where the scenes felt like a bucket list of places I hope to wander to someday, and I tucked each one away as a future dream.<\/p><p>When night fell and the lights of the parade shimmered past, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me, because it reminded me of SpectroMagic at Disney World from when I was just a little mouse, standing wide eyed and believing completely in magic. Tokyo Disney showed me that wonder can grow with you, and as I watched the lights dance, I knew this adventure would stay with me forever.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-258f58a9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"258f58a9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-586b6451 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"586b6451\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46dde92a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"46dde92a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93ba58f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"93ba58f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Tokyo adventures part 3<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-630117de elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"630117de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Goodbye Japan and One Last Look Out the Window\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16ea9ef4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"16ea9ef4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\":nt\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":o9\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-1054\"><div dir=\"ltr\"><p>My final moments in Japan were quiet and thoughtful, just the way endings should be, as I found myself at Haneda Airport watching the world through a big airport window and trying to remember everything at once. I visited the Priority Pass lounge for a few last bites, savoring simple, comforting food that felt like a gentle goodbye, and then I carefully spent the very last of my yen on duty free treasures.<\/p><p>I always choose my souvenirs thoughtfully, so I picked a magnet to remind me of what I saw and a perfume made right here in Japan, because scents have a way of carrying memories better than anything else. As the plane lifted off and the coastline slowly slipped away beneath me, I felt proud of myself for crossing oceans, losing a day, finding so much joy, and knowing that even though I was heading home, a little piece of Japan would always travel with me.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e17e2a6 elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"3e17e2a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000003-768x1004.jpg\" alt=\"000003\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1004;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000182-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000182\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000183-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"000183\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000181-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"000181\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f782c5b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2f782c5b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf7738d elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"bf7738d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000117-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000117\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000114-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000114\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000109-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000109\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000121-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000121\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6437c447 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6437c447\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a218c0f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7a218c0f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25396849 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"25396849\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Japan adventures<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f06fe6e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1f06fe6e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A Holiday Arrival and the Happiest Ramen of My Life\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15aff4e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"15aff4e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\":o8\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":nt\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-874\"><div dir=\"ltr\"><p>My very last day on the ship carried me from Hakodate all the way to Tokyo, and I arrived on November 3, which I quickly learned is a National Holiday, making everything feel extra lively and important for a small wandering mouse like me. I followed the buzz to the fish market, where the air smelled like the sea and breakfast and excitement all at once, then tiptoed through a shrine where foreign dignitaries had gathered to celebrate, and I felt very honored just to be there with my tiny paws on such historic ground.<\/p><p>The next day might have been my favorite yet, because I visited Edo Wonderland with my wonderful guide Tadashi, who showed me a world full of history, costumes, and stories that felt like stepping straight into the past, and then we finished with the most delicious ramen I have ever tasted, warm and comforting and perfect after so much wandering. Tokyo made my mouse heart feel full in a different way, busy and joyful and deeply thoughtful all at once, and I knew as I licked imaginary broth from my whiskers that this was an ending and a beginning all wrapped together.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55b5d928 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"55b5d928\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66912234 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"66912234\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1daf62d2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1daf62d2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16110065 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"16110065\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Japan Adventures<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3178a4eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3178a4eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Day I Lost Yesterday and Found Japan\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ba179e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ba179e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\":pl\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":p7\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-829\"><div dir=\"ltr\"><p>I finally stepped onto land in Hakodate after eight whole days of nothing but ocean, sky, and thinking very big thoughts, and somehow I arrived fourteen hours ahead of my home in Kentucky and missing an entire day, which feels like something only a wandering mouse could manage. Crossing the International Date Line made my whiskers tingle, and even though my paws were tired, my curiosity woke right up as soon as I saw the quiet streets, stone steps, and temples tucked gently into the hills.<\/p><p>Hakodate feels calm and thoughtful, like a place that doesn\u2019t rush to impress you but waits patiently for you to notice it, and I loved reading signs I couldn\u2019t yet understand and standing small beneath gates that have welcomed travelers for centuries. After the wide, empty Pacific, Japan felt beautifully detailed, full of history, order, and surprises around every corner, and even though I lost a whole day somewhere at sea, I think I gained something much better, which is the feeling that a brand new chapter has truly begun.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38be87ba elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"38be87ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000084-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000084\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000091-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000091\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000095-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000095\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000097-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000097\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a30fa4d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a30fa4d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-522dd1a0 elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"522dd1a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000063-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000063\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000078-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000078\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000082-768x1027.jpg\" alt=\"000082\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1027;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000031-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"000031\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41980818 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"41980818\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62c1e330 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"62c1e330\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff5d131 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ff5d131\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Alaska Adventures<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-332dac1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"332dac1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Three Alaskan Stops and a Very Brave Little Heart\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bc8b8be elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6bc8b8be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\":np\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":o2\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-784\"><div dir=\"ltr\"><p>Alaska greeted me with cold noses of wind, deep blue water, and views so big they made me feel extra small in the best possible way. In Ketchikan, I stood by the water watching mountains rise straight out of the sea, learning that this town grew from fishing, rain, and stories passed down like treasures, which made my wandering paws itch to explore every dock and boardwalk.<\/p><p>At Icy Strait, I climbed up high and looked out over wild, quiet land where nature still feels in charge, and my mouse heart thumped happily at the thought of whales, eagles, and the kind of silence you can almost hear. Skagway felt different again, full of gold rush echoes and bold dreams, where signs and old buildings whispered about humans who once rushed north chasing adventure, something I understand very well. With three Alaskan ports behind me and frost-tipped memories tucked into my backpack, I felt ready to turn my whiskers west, because soon there would be nothing but ocean ahead, and that is exactly how a wandering mouse likes it.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64ae4612 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"64ae4612\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-681db73d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"681db73d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fdd75a6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fdd75a6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15ec4985 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"15ec4985\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Alaska Adventures<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-307089de elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"307089de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Deck Breezes, Dessert Plates, and Goodbye Vancouver\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b7ceb4d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b7ceb4d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\":nu\" class=\"ii gt\"><div id=\":oa\" class=\"a3s aiL\"><div id=\"avWBGd-739\"><div dir=\"ltr\"><p>I spent my first day aboard the ship scampering from deck to deck as Vancouver slowly slipped away behind me, the air crisp and salty and full of promise. Out on the open deck I stood very tall for a very small mouse, watching the wake stretch out like a ribbon and feeling the hum of the ship beneath my paws as we pointed ourselves toward Alaska. Inside, I discovered one of my favorite kinds of exploration, the edible kind, and admired an impressive collection of tiny cakes and tarts that felt almost too pretty to nibble, though I bravely considered it anyway.<\/p><p>I peeked into quiet corners, leaned against railings to watch the water sparkle, and listened to the gentle excitement of fellow travelers settling into ship life. As the light shifted and the shoreline faded, I felt that familiar flutter in my stomach that means a journey has truly begun, and somewhere ahead Ketchikan was waiting, along with colder air, new stories, and plenty more places for a wandering mouse to discover.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4caeb7c7 elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"4caeb7c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000020-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000020\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000018-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000018\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000016-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000016\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000023-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"000023\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6cb1d98c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6cb1d98c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c870fe9 elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"3c870fe9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:400,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Vancouver to Japan Cruise\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000001-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Toy mouse standing in hotel with hotel card\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000005-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"Toy mouse standing in airport\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/576;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000007-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Mouse standing near boat dock\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 4\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/000012-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Moya looking out toward sea\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/1024;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25b254fd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"25b254fd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1809b3d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1809b3d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1608b180 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1608b180\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Vancouver \/ japan cruise<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15ee96a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"15ee96a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A Small Mouse, a Big Ship, and an Ocean-Sized Dream<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79e0c27f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"79e0c27f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I arrived in Vancouver with my hat snug on my head, my backpack full of hopes, and my paws buzzing with excitement, because this is where my biggest adventure yet begins. Standing near the harbor, I watched the city shimmer with mountains peeking over glassy buildings and salty air mixing with the hum of travelers, and I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. Soon I would be boarding the Norwegian Sun, my floating home across the Pacific, sailing north to Alaska as the very last ship of the season, which feels wonderfully dramatic for a wandering mouse like me, before turning west toward the wide, endless ocean and all the mysteries it holds.<br \/><br \/>As I waited inside the terminal, surrounded by boots, suitcases, and excited chatter, I felt small but brave, especially when I finally stepped aboard and looked out at Vancouver fading into the distance. Ahead of me are icy ports, open seas, and Japan waiting patiently on the far side of the world, and my little mouse heart has never felt bigger.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Meet Moya, The Wandering Mouse Meet our very own, Wandering Mouse! From Aruba to Japan, and everywhere in between, my adventurous companion has accompanied me and many other travelers around the world, experiencing the sites, sounds, and delicacies of the world. Follow along Moya&#8217;s adventures below! Istanbul Adventures part 1 Of Cats, Kindness, and a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-137327","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Moya&#039;s Adventures - The Wandering Mouse<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/thewanderingmouse.com\/?page_id=137327\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Moya&#039;s Adventures - The Wandering Mouse\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Meet Moya, The Wandering Mouse Meet our very own, Wandering Mouse! 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