Walke (DD 723) - Naval Cruise Book

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JAPAN YoKosuKA and Kose On a rather dismal February morning some of us saw an old friend coming over the horizon as others were getting only their first glimpse of a favorite Westpac country-Japan. As we steamed up Sagami Wan, Yoko- suka Harbor came into view, and here WALKE spent mostpof February and March. Throughout the stay, the crew, like good sailors, went ashore at liberty call to buy out the town and to do their share as tourists. Some of us had a natural ability at bargaining and did quite well, spending hours talking for a fishing rod or binoculars or a kimonog others of us at least thought We did well. In the little shops in Yokosuka was almost everything you could want, from pearls to cameras and pool cues to hakata dolls. Each night as we walked down the streets of Thieves Alley, we found that the goods had a new price. The variable factors were the number of ships in port, the days since pay day, and the individual's bar- gaining ability. The tourists wore out more than one camera and several pairs of shoes in and around Yokosuka. The resplendent and beautiful Diabutsu Buddha of Kamakura was only twenty minutes away. ln an hour you could be in Tokyo, the second largest city in the world. The traditional lovely gardens and shrines of this city were outdone only by the modern and sometimes gaudy Ginza area. Here west- ern department stores competed for space with night clubs of all descriptions. The theatre area of Tokyo compared in size and quality to New York. For a short weekend the ship stopped in Kobe before returning to Yokosuka, and here we found the real Japan. Unlike Yokosuka, a navy town, the Kobe area is a tourist spot for the Japanese people. We saw the majestic pago- das of Nara, the first capital of Japan, the temples and shrines of Kyoto, and modern boulevards of Osaka. This area is truly Japanese, and military establishments are far away. 1 Kobe any Yoko I s i

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We stopped at hlannis. Jldniirally lslands, on our T MANUS fT W 5 Way to the Far East and again on our trip to Brig- bane. Located only two degrees south of the equa- tor, the climate there is hot and humid the whole year round. The day we were there was no ex- Qeption. Trading hetween the sailors and natives com- menced quicklyg and cigarettes, candy, soap, and other items were exchanged for shells, heads, and wooden statues. The natives proved to he sharp traders and drove a hard hargain for their wares. During the afternoon, hardy members of the crew went out into the island for some walking, and others went for a swim in Seeadler Harbor. We enjoyed the short stay, however, we were anxious to slip our moorings in the morning and continue on to Guam. W GUAM Guam-largest of the Marianas-is a possession of the United States, hut it has belonged to many world powers since the time of Magellan. He first claimed Guam for Spain OH his trip around the world. Some of the buildings the Spaniards constructed still exist today as historic ruins. The most famous of these is the Plaza de Espana. Guam is considered choice duty hy military personnel Hnd their dependents because of the climate, excellent housing, movies, TV, and sports. lVlany individuals stationed there have the additional hohhy of seashell collecting. For us, the island was only a fueling stop. It was, however, a refreshing interlude in the long trip to the Orient. F , 1 rl Ei. - 1 li? ll fa ll i L1 Y. i iz gp, :il L1 1 l? is tr ii i E 5 t 1 it g. l'. l? tv l 5 5 P H r la U3 ta ll. it l. l ,Q y. l yi 21. r. . 4 C y. il. l gr r E E E t t

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Finally, it was in this section of Japan that we saw the arnsdo crafhnnanshnq for winch the idrnnn is so famous. Both in art work and clothing, the skill of the Japanese was made evident to us. The short stay here in southern flonshu.left1is anxious to return. While in Yokosuka many of us got a Chance to visit xvnh Japaneseihnnihes. YVe satin a snnple rooniwvnh small furniture and only an habachi pot to keep us warm. But the rooms were spotless and the hospitality extended couldn't have been warmer. The Japanese were most courteous and were genuinely friendly toward us. We allspentrnany happy hourscnithe beach niand around Yokosuka, and next year with the budding of the cherry blossoms, WALKE will be back. Those of us who will be aboard are looking forward to seeing an old friend again. 'Big K we 'Y nn- r liberty call ' 1 if 'w A groom and bride mirf0f . 5, SJW flu.