Finch (DER 328) - Naval Cruise Book

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The Chinese tailors, Indian merchants, and JapanCS6 businesses that we dealt with were all united under the British government-with which we stayed out of trouble. Any product, service, or food could be found in this most international of cities. The bargain system often was the method of purchase. One could observe, however, different approaches to haggling. A Chinese Tailor stressed how cheap he could sell it. The Indian asked one to try to tear the material because it was such good quality. More than one man wound up with an extra suit because he accepted the alcoholic generosity of his tailor. In Hong Kong shops the rule was, if you want it, they'll sell it-out of the back went a boy down some alley. Five minutes later he returned with the article in question. And our inquiring man? He felt obliged to buy. Well, maybe. Many of our FINCH men were sharp traders on their third or fourth visits. The Royal Navy China Fleet Club U.S. Navy Contract shops did a whopping business. Most of us were fairly certain this would be our only HK. trip this year and stocked up on cameras, hi-fi equipment, jewelry, golf equipment, you name it. It was hard to plan for Christ- mas in August, but being 10,000 miles away and in a place with such fantastic buys made it necessary. And many of the gifts were early ones for ourselves. We roamed the streets of Wanchai seeking enter- tainment. The search was not too difficult. Most time was spent in Wanchai vice Kowloon because the R.8cR. troops with all their money had priced it out of reason. Some men took a few days leave to get away from the rigors of shipboard life and spent them in the Hilton. The Hilton seemed to be the FINCH convention center. If a man couldn't find a FINCH friend he just looked into the Den or Dragon Boat. While some were relaxing in lounges, others were out stuffing themselves at Jim, my's Kitchen, Gaddi's. the Parisian Grill, the Mandarin, Grill, Eagle's Nest, Showboat, Tai Pak, Lindy'5-the last being one of the few places in West Pac that a decent Hot Pastrami can accompany a beer. We did some good deeds in Hong Kong, too. While there, men from the Navy's Taipei medical research unit descended on us and drew blood twice. The Hong Kong Flu was raging, and 7075 of us got it to some extent. With blood from only the FINCH, the Navy learned about the flu and made the present vaccination serum. On two occasions we also hosted groups of orphaned school children. In addition everyone had a good time, bought what he wanted, returned with what he expected, and no one got in trouble. Hence FINCH reaped her second award of the Serviceman's Guide Good Conduct Award. I I -. ? is Y la tt sis . 3 see . ge if X It 1 d at , eete. se- till'-gg L ,E , .4 ..,1,J3c7lii5-5 f I 1 N , SSE rf q -its ,L . A sw Q t , csgjsi ax gagsis , . ll X':,i,v.Qx.ith',tXfr . F .tt .,.. . V gg ,xi v , . 1 ,a l 1

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