Hornet (CVA 12) - Naval Cruise Book

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51Wi-Z5EiEil-i1?:22'!L'fBTi'7'.5?LE'T'JT'gfTg'?.2S'g!5 ZL'I!i5',i5! 'N V7 fl ' 'ft F535 nn ln' in I the F ountam Left: Legend' says that he who throws a coin in the Fountain of Trevi may be granted one wish-to return to Rome. The 3000 men of the Hornet all made that wish and for some of us, it may come true. Below: Rome behind, the Hornet transits the Suez-a steaming passageway thru the Arabian Desert. Africa to starboard, Asia to port.

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,, HH, -.,Y- v-.N-,.-f -.N - --H - - ,., .,. ,. J- - ,I ,n ---I-ti: . ---A y.-q,--Lg:-1'f2gj-T'-.11-'-'-,jg-?:.--I rv-n..n.S1 2'.'fik it- ssailfl 13.14-1 324.-,42.H'1Qia-iv 51 -'H vw We left Naples reluctantly, with thoughts of Rome and its beauty still fresh in our minds. Our bow was pointed south, and we coursed the Straits of Messina and the Mediterranean to Suez before we began to think again in terms of the future, and Colombo, Ceylon our next port of call. As we advanced into the Red Sea and across the Indian Ocean thoughts of land and relief from the heat naturally devel- oped Ceylon into a refuge, a promised land, at the least it would be a two day break in the monotony of two weeks cruis- 'ing. To some it proved to be a place of rest and relaxation, to others, it was a rich and varied experience, their first contact with a people with a truly different culture and heritage. Here the Christian did not reign supreme, the climate was tropical and vegetation lushg the poor were appar- ent and the Colonial atmosphere developed through years of British rule still was close to the surface. Colombo was clean-it was hot but cooled by the breezes of the southwest mon- ,soon which whipped its surf into a danger- ous froth, and drove breakers into its beaches all along the west coast of Ceylon. Colombo, the major port in Ceylon . . . was crowded with tourist ships and steamers from all over the world. But this pulse of modern commerce does not alter the basic lives of the people. There are the cars, and buses, modern places of business, but there are the dark tired peoples who wander the streets looking for a living as in all the other ports of the world. From the Galle Face Hotel terrace you could look out on the old parade ground across from the barracks, and beyond, a beautiful view of the beachline and the pounding surf. As always there were waiting boys handy and cool drinks were readily available. The more adventurous souls found tours available to Kandy and Negambo. There were rickshaws to ride and old men to argue with concerning the price. The bazaar shopping district, the Pettah, was frequented by many of us. There was a booming business in ivory figures and the dominant theme of these figures was of course the elephant, the religious and national symbol of Ceylon. Great care was necessary on the part of the purchaser when he attempted to buy gemsg many is the man who has found himself the proud possessor of a beautiful piece of colored glass. Caveat emptor, the theme of the traveler held true here. ,, . , Y, Y . - ,- Y,,v,..v.-.l..,..,... ...,.,...,v.,...,...-....,..,.,...., ......,