Fort Mandan (LSD 21) - Naval Cruise Book

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RHODES, The Acropolis at Lindos shows part of the outstanding ruins around Rhodes. St. Paul came here on a missionary journey. Here, at the entrance of the inner harbor, stands the animal that is the symbol of Rhodes--the doe. Like a band of Argonauts we made our first approach to the glory that was Greece. Our visit to Rhodes, a Greek island separated from the main- land by a considerable distance, was the beginning of a period of approxi- mately two months duration in which we remained in the Eastern Mediter- ranean and visited Greece and the Greek islands. We found that Rhodes had remnants of the ancient Greek civilization that is the basis of today ' s Western culture; but we also found that it had many of the advancements of the modern world. The old and the new blended in a pleasing mixture that made our first impression of Greece a favorable one. Here we found a clean city with likeable people. A city that was quiet enough to be relaxing, but lively enough to provide ample entertain- ment. And we found a city that, be- cause of the Moorish and Turkish influence in architecture blended with the classical Greek style, presented an appearance quite different from that of any city we had yet seen. We visited old monasteries; saw the ruins of temples, fortresses, theaters, and stadiums; and found good beaches. (We also found a few night spots to keep us from getting bored after the sun went down.) Some of us flexed our flabby muscles for the first time in a long time as we played Softball, both within our own ship and against other ships present. And we had a USO set up which pro- vided us with fine gastronomical treats --hot dogs and hamburgers, com- modities we didn ' t often find on the beach. The beauty of the harbor itself is captured in this view. In the background stands part of the old city. ■

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San Remo has many beautiful parks and many beautiful statues. This is one of the more prominent statues. SAN REMO, ITALY Beauty, thou wild fantastic ape, Who dost in every country change thy shape ! ABRAHAM COWLEY After one operation with plenty of sand and wind under our belts, we journeyed back to the Riviera- -the Italian Riviera this time. We were told that San Remo was a world vacationland, and we soon discovered why. Although we arrived a bit too early for the season, wt nonetheless found plenty to keep us occupied in San Remo. Here and there we found a bikini with a girl in it. We saw the luxurious hotels and clubs that become home to many playboys during the summer. We ate in fine restaurants that served chef d ' ouevres of culinary art. A few of us tried swimming, even though it was still some- what chilly. And the sightseeing was superb- -we got our eyes full of everything from beautiful parks and statues to exquisitely constructed young damsels. Some of us, still vaguely remembering an eventful week at Cannes earlier in the cruise, ventured back down the French coastline. We revisited Cannes, and dropped by Nice, Golfe Juan, Menton, and Monaco, among other places. We found San Remo itself to be very picturesque, with green hills, mountains in the background, beautiful buildings, and nice beaches. We were somewhat disappointed that we arrived just barely too early for the Cannes Film Festival, and for the visit of Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong in San Remo. But we didn ' t let it get us down. We made San Remo a big port because we knew it would be the last Western port we would see for a long time. The next lap of our cruise was to be in the Eastern Mediterranean. While in San Remo some of us ventured back to Cannes, Nice, or Monaco. This scene is of a boulevard in Cannes. The Municipal Casino looked fancy from the outside. Most of us didn ' t venture inside. Many dollars turn over here each night. I ) This Russian Church in San Remo gives an Asiatic touch to Western Europe. The architecture makes it a sight worth weeing.

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GREECE Bicycling became a sport in which we often indulged--it saved wear on the feet and pro- vided exercise too. The interior of the Byzantine Church at Lindos provides a beautiful and sacred view. Greek chuches have an unique beauty. • • ft PI J; ijj This was our hamburger heaven where the USO was our affable and genial host. ■■■ ' ■ f r » tttxmu I JB , .nitoun | K Softball was almost a daily routine. That morning after ache showed us what kind of shape we were in. Very little happened in the early afternoon, as one can see from the bareness of the streets at that time. 17