St Louis (LKA 116) - Naval Cruise Book

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HGGG oung men dream about places like l-long Kong. Picture the reluctant young man as he sits at his hometown recruiter's desk, the clammy hands, nervous twitching in his seat are indications of his hesita- tion. The deceptive, evasive smile and the soothing words of the uniformed man remove the young man's reluctance: you'll travel to Bangkok, Tokyo, l-long Kong, Naples, Casablanca, Athens . . . Hong Kong. lt was what we thought it would be. Crowded and bustling. Exotic and modern. The traditional commer- cial center more items to purchase than could be. The sailors activities were varied there. Some con- centrated on the island's highlights Victoria Peak, Aberdeen's Jumbo restaurant and boat excursions. Others ventured to the Portuguese gambling fortress of Macao via 60-foot hydrofoil. Almost all shoppers travelled the harbor on the Star Ferry to Kowloon on daytime trips and nightlife excursions. One group of tourists became symbols of Red China's slow opening to the West visiting several small cities and southern rural areas discovering the Communist coun- try's leaning toward capitalism. They returned to the ship with purchased souvenirs and green Mao hats proudly displayed. A small but big-hearted group gave up liberty time in painting and preserving the interior of the Wesleyan Mission House on Cheung Chau Island. Photos Ccounterclockwise from bottom J: 1. City monuments grace Hong Kong. 2. The traditionaly Chinese junk. 3. One of the few photos taken from Victor- ia Peak due to foggy days. 4. Manning the rails. 5. Street signs were numerous. 6. Sailors had Peking Duck at the Jumbo in Aberdeen. 7. The mooring party perfor- med flawlessly. 8. Congested housing near the harbor entrance.

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1 obody entertains sailors like the people of Phattaya Beach. Nowhere anywhere are so many sailor amusements assembled in so small an area. Sailors lounged by the horseshoe shaped beach and had hotel pool parties by day. We were everywhere: some submersed in diving gear, others on the surface on power boatdriven skis and sleds, still others in the air, the multicolored parachutes lifting them above hundreds of anchored vessels. Others sought Thailand's rubies and saphires and gold, lustrous yellow Baht bought with paper Baht. Some tasted the Orient by way of Bangkok, two hours bus ride to the north. Still further north, they toured great Buddhist temples and Thailand's ancient capital city golden Buddhas, golden ceilings, golden tigers. By night back in Phattaya, sailors were hitting the streets. Two songs came readily to mind songs that made the hard man humble, sunshine, and told us what Cindy Laupert would have sung if she'd been there. We saw kick boxers and a snake charmer. 5'4 Sailors recall Phattaya for Caligula, the outdoor taver- ns, inexpensive seafood, Whiskey-A-Gogo, the Tahitian and Rose's. IQQQD . '4- 1 5 4. , X Rh., if 1 - ,rr ' ' flu.. A t , ,v w 'gf:'f'13fw.Z,.f 'fvfgf '- -' ap 4-fp ' as f A ., . ,' .tgiwwligivi . ' ' ' ,, - 'asiiflv'-iv '.f.f:.!,5?'f' si-T513 3? ' 1ft?f2Z'5i?51' i -' 1- ahvmne, A Y ' , .gg ' ', . .f. .s.,- - 'Q' 1241.1 y l Q.. i'i'i't -aqqf A, ' n l A X ...- -..