Ports of Call

As a Pacific Fleet sailor, most of my time at sea was spent in the North Pacific. I never did cross the equator. This means that I missed out on the opportunity to become a "shellback". There is an ages old tradition in the Navy, that when someone crosses the "line" for the first time, they are initiated by those that have already crossed the equator. After the initiation, the "wogs" are recognized as "trusty shellbacks". The initiation lasts the whole day, and consists of things such as eating food that is not supposed to be green, for breakfast. The climax is usually having to crawl around the deck of the ship (which is covered in a very rough non-skid material), sometimes through garbage, all the while being beaten with fire hoses. These are only two of the many "experiences" that a "wog" must endure on that day. No, you are not forced to go through this. It is kind of a "rite of passage", I guess.
I did, however, make it into the Caribbean Sea. On one occasion, we went through the Panama Canal, ending up at the island of Curacao, in the Netherlands Antillies. Curacao is one of three islands, known as the "ABC" islands due to the first letter of each island's name. Probably the most well-known of these islands is Aruba. We were supposed to go to Aruba, but at the last minute something fell through. I think either the Navy, or the government of Aruba was afraid to let us go there!
The following photos are from some of the countries or places that I have been to, or near, as the case may be. These include: Korea, the Philippines, Japan, Panama, Hong Kong, and Curacao.
Hong Kong Harbor at night
"Jumbo" floating restaurant
Aberdeen - floating city
Entering Curacao
Buildings along the waterway
Hotel on Curacao
Entrance to the harbor
The guys leaving Curacao

Hong Kong Harbor
This is a shot of Hong Kong Harbor, taken at night, from Victoria Peak. If you look closely, near the center of the photo, you can see the U.S.S. Ouellet, anchored in the harbor. Look for the "friendship lights" strung on the ship, forming a yellow, upside-down "V". The U.S.S. Bunker Hill can be seen in a similar fashion, near the right hand side of the photo. The aircraft carrier U.S.S. Constellation, CV64, was anchored out on the other side of the island, behind me. We often were a part of the "Connie's" Battle Group.
Across the harbor lies Kowloon, the New Territories, and the People's Republic of China. Hong Kong is due to be turned over to the People's Republic of China in 1997. It has been under British control for almost 100 years.
Same photo, with ships identified

"Jumbo" Floating Restaurant
This is one of two floating restaurants in Aberdeen, which is a virtual "floating city" in Hong Kong. While this restaurant is a "must see", it is not a good place to eat. Come to look and marvel, don't expect much of a culinary delight!
I must admit to a certain amount of trickery with this photo. The sky was actually quite yellow, and the water green in this photo. I did a very quick touch-up to make it a little nicer looking.
Show me the "real" Jumbo!

Aberdeen - Floating City
A photo of Aberdeen, taken on the way to "Jumbo's"

Entering Curacao
Entering port on the island of Curacao. The bridge in the foreground is a pontoon bridge that swings out of the way when ships are passing through. The larger, newer bridge in the background is named after the Queen of the Netherlands, Queen Wilhelmena. I'm not sure if she is still the queen, or if I spelled her name correctly. The good thing about this island being a Dutch colony is that Amstel Light was cheap!

Buildings Along the Waterway
Buildings in this part of the city were so clean and brightly painted, they seemed unreal.

Hotel on Curacao
This hotel was the most prominent landmark in the city. Some friends and myself rented some rooms here so we could get off of the ship for a few days. I don't remember the name of this hotel, but it was a nice place, with decent food. There was a casino in the hotel, and although I'm not much of a gambler, a shipmate of mine won enough money playing blackjack to buy himself a computer. This is a view from my hotel room, overlooking the pool area and the entrance to the port.

Entrance to the Harbor
This is a view from the Queen Wilhelmena Bridge, overlooking the entrance to the harbor.

The Guys Leaving Curacao
Someone commented that there were no photos of me, so here I am (a lousy photo!) with the rest of the line 6 handlers. Pictured are, from left to right: Paul Phillips (sitting), Robert Hall (standing behind Paul), Jeffrey Hafner, Tristan "Winnie" WInston, Bill Radmer (me), Matthew "Red" Reddell, and Guy Johnson.

	Hong Kong Harbor This is a shot of Hong Kong Harbor, taken at night, from Victoria Peak. If you look closely, near the center of the photo, you can see the U.S.S. Ouellet, anchored in the harbor. Look for the "friendship lights" strung on the ship, forming a yellow, upside-down "V". The U.S.S. Bunker Hill can be seen in a similar fashion, near the right hand side of the photo. The aircraft carrier U.S.S. Constellation, CV64, was anchored out on the other side of the island, behind me. We often were a part of the "Connie's" Battle Group. Across the harbor lies Kowloon, the New Territories, and the People's Republic of China. Hong Kong is due to be turned over to the People's Republic of China in 1997. It has been under British control for almost 100 years. Same photo, with ships identified
	"Jumbo" Floating Restaurant This is one of two floating restaurants in Aberdeen, which is a virtual "floating city" in Hong Kong. While this restaurant is a "must see", it is not a good place to eat. Come to look and marvel, don't expect much of a culinary delight! I must admit to a certain amount of trickery with this photo. The sky was actually quite yellow, and the water green in this photo. I did a very quick touch-up to make it a little nicer looking. Show me the "real" Jumbo!
	Aberdeen - Floating City A photo of Aberdeen, taken on the way to "Jumbo's"
	Entering Curacao Entering port on the island of Curacao. The bridge in the foreground is a pontoon bridge that swings out of the way when ships are passing through. The larger, newer bridge in the background is named after the Queen of the Netherlands, Queen Wilhelmena. I'm not sure if she is still the queen, or if I spelled her name correctly. The good thing about this island being a Dutch colony is that Amstel Light was cheap!
	Buildings Along the Waterway Buildings in this part of the city were so clean and brightly painted, they seemed unreal.
	Hotel on Curacao This hotel was the most prominent landmark in the city. Some friends and myself rented some rooms here so we could get off of the ship for a few days. I don't remember the name of this hotel, but it was a nice place, with decent food. There was a casino in the hotel, and although I'm not much of a gambler, a shipmate of mine won enough money playing blackjack to buy himself a computer. This is a view from my hotel room, overlooking the pool area and the entrance to the port.
	Entrance to the Harbor This is a view from the Queen Wilhelmena Bridge, overlooking the entrance to the harbor.
	The Guys Leaving Curacao Someone commented that there were no photos of me, so here I am (a lousy photo!) with the rest of the line 6 handlers. Pictured are, from left to right: Paul Phillips (sitting), Robert Hall (standing behind Paul), Jeffrey Hafner, Tristan "Winnie" WInston, Bill Radmer (me), Matthew "Red" Reddell, and Guy Johnson.