Aucilla (AO 56) - Naval Cruise Book

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34 BEIRUT. Our Home Port of the Eastern Med was perhaps the most Americanized port we hit during the cruise. Boasting an American Univer- sity, and an American community, U.S. ships and sailors were always welcome in this capital city of Lebanon. And welcome to the sailors were the warm sandy beaches of St. Simon and St. George, with their back home atmospheres. Tlie most vivid memory for some of us, though, were the several fine tours to the surrounding districts. Baalbek, the old temple-city dating back to the early Roman times, with the remnants of the world-famous Cedars of Lebanon, was one unforgettable experience. Another tour was the trip to Jerusalem, birthplace of Christianity. This trip included a side-track to Damascus, flying below sealevcl over the Dead Sea, a full day in Bethlehem, and a visit to the Garden of Geth- semane. Although Jerusalem was a disappointment to some, with its fierce racial rivalries, nobody could help but wonder at the Shepherd ' s Field, the ancient wall of the city, and the Mount of Cal- vary. Lebanon itself, smallest country in the Med- iterranean, is as old as the East. It was the home of the Phoenicians, who set their stamp on the whole Mediterranean world, and whose cities of Tyre and Sidon were famous ports of commerce at the dawn of civilized time. Lebanon was the Bib- lical ' Land of Milk and Honey , throughout the Greek and Macedonian and Roman eras, and later in the struggle between Arabs and Crusaders, Lebanon was always a prize of the first impor- tance. Perhaps our most enduring memory of Beirut, besides the warm hospitality of the American community, will be our near-drydocking on our last visit, which would undoubtedly have led to several more-enduring, less-endearing memories. 29 ISO -. Ce K Ras Ma ' amelteiii Bate de Djounic ' • 630 , ' ' ' ' 143 ' 35 I, ' .100 30, ' -; Ra lievroutli (Be.r„,) 230 290 ' ,81 88% ■ II 3tO mk 250 el IDA(siooN) , ' ■ Mar Elias ,. Mnimiyfh Salieh T Marus •• • Rummiet Rui VGinsemia .■» Rum

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Napoiile 94 vr- L-y L St. Honural C! J5 j, Gp Fl (2) lOsec 338fl 25» pj, 24(RBn) 3? 6i,p ' 9 S sT 23 ' OS . ' 127 ' 8V 2c ' f)f7 i s:; 85 -o- ' - ' ' j 91 . -if iou 146 loillon iSie. Marguerite 21 1 ' (LSSIre ■• ' ■ Bn.lTr). 115 ' lies de 3 Lerjns .25 „, 69 78 91,. 146 227 645 426 GOLFE JUAN. The Miami Beach of Europe ' s aristocracy. Playground of a hundred kings, as well as the favored vacation land of thousands of middle class Frenchmen. World reknown for its excellent beaches, beautiful women, excellent wines and famous gambling houses, the French Riviera sets the scene for some very attractive liberties. The beaches of southern France rank among the finest in the world, and after looking over the Bikini-clad bathing beauties, and their escorts, we are ready to agree. Daring is an apt descrip- tion of some of the latest fashions modeled on the Riviera. For those few who may prefer something besides the beach scene, there were many places of interest to visit. The Admiral will long be remembered by the Aucilla. And tours to the beautiful French Alps, as well as Monte Carlo and Monaco, made famous by Grace Kelly ' s mar- riage, were an everyday event in this summer playground. The Palace at Monaco is truly one of the last of its kind that is still in use by a royal couple. And the skiing trips to the snow-clad Pyrenees resulted in a lot of laughs, as well as a lot of bruises, for many of us amateurs. For athletic-minded men, there was water skiing, boat- ing, fishing, or a score of otherequallystrenuous sports. The nearby cities of Cannes and Nice were within easy walking distance, and they cer- tainly didn ' t lack in entertainment. The most un- fortunate part of our visits to Golfe Juan was the fact that they ended all too soon for most of us How ' bout a Ride? J99 483 • a ■ 33

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390 i O 56 ' j,: ■ fS Akr. ■ • ' Khalkl ' s Piraievs )■ ' 48 ' ) ,37 53 Heves ' Ai ' yina t ' ' j ' .■ ■ ■ Mnvrovouni ATHENS. Birthplace of Civilization , Mother of Culture and Learning . This, and much more, could be said for this queen city of the Aegean Sea. From ancient Athens flowed the laws and writings that were destined to influence every succeeding civilization through the ages. Today, modern Athens stands as a living monument to the glories of a great nation. Dominating the entire city is the Acropolis, a collection of temples and palaces on a fortified hill. The ruins of these magnificent structures still justify their position as being perfect examples of architecture at its zenith. The Parthenon, mas- terpiece of masterpieces located on this hill, has been termed the most perfect building ever erected by man. Even today, some twenty four centuries after her construction, and despite numerous sub- sequent attempts at destruction, this marvel in marble still lifts her graceful pillars toward the sky. The Athens we saw was a bright, clean, modern metropolis of a million or so people surrounding its treasured ruins. The Greeks are a clean race, outstandingly clean. Of all the ports of call the Aucilla visited during our Med cruise, it can be honestly stated that Athens was the cleanest. A well-run city, amidst a beautiful setting. Unfortunately, our stay here was a short one. Perhaps the most important thing we did here was tour the ruins of antiquity. But Athens was more than just ruined temples of a bygone glory. She is a busy seaport, a thriving city, and the capital of the indomitable Greeks. Our stay here will be remembered by some men for the frequent liber- ties we pulled at the John Bull in Piraeus. Cer- tainly there was plenty to do in this crowded Greek port, and those of us who took the time to see Athens will long remember the magnificence of this city. We can ' t help but agree with those who say The West was born in Athens . 35