Elrod (FFG 55) - Naval Cruise Book

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LIBERTY CALL E Ixcept for the boxing match at the London Pub, it was a week to remember. The beaches (especially the beaches) were straight from a book. Of course, the majority of the people spoke nothing but Spanish. Auspicious enough, there were a few English and Scotish people around to help out those who were a little rusty on their Span- ish. I think the money, pesetas, which most of the guys started calling potatoes, was the most confusing. It was around 120 potatoes per the U.S. dollar. Ray Jarrett found out the hard way by paying a man eight dollars for a hamburger. But, It was a good hamburger he says. Beautiful weather allowed for everyone to get a few good days of sight seeing. Of the six thousand, yes, six thousand bars I think the guys must of hit all but one! There were buses leaving on the hour to city ' s of Magaluf, Playa de Palma, and the big shopping center Plaza Gomi- t

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AUTOGRAPHS 79

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la, which was where the Carousell Pub was. Alot of the guys made phone calls home from there. Some of the tours offered were the Spanish Fiesta Banquet; an evening of dining and socializing with the locals ' on a ranch with roasted pig, chicken and wine. Some went for the Medieva Jousting Banquet; held at the Bellv- er castle which was built in the 14th century by Jamine II as a royal resi- dence and is the best preserved cas- tle in all of Europe. They spent an evening set back in medieval times feasting on chicken, potatoes, bread and wine, with a live Jousting match to follow. Throughout the city were rem- inents of old Spain. Now a major tourist attraction, Palma attracts millions every year, from England to Greece and every now and then an American sailor. Much of the crew spent their time just sight seeing and shopping, which alone could take days. I can ' t go without mentioning the Mopeds everyone and their brother seemed to own. Have you ever seen a traffic jam full of Mo- peds? Oh, and the taxi ' s were fun too. They got you wherever you needed to go in under two minutes. I think all the cab drivers bet on how many miles each driver could put on his car in a night. The ship had a wonderful view as well. Over looking the Miguel Rossello ' Marina, was the entire city at a glance. Beyond that, the mountains, and then the October sunset. PALMA was definitely a port to remember.