Tarawa (CV 40) - Naval Cruise Book

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I , 1 V The Goihic caihedral of Palma, which was commenced in fhe year I230, siis wiih maiesiy ,. ' ihai rivals ihe surrounding 'Mallorcan ierrain. ALLORCA BALEARIC I LE ALLORCA was a real treat. It is the largest of the Balearic Islands lying 100 miles from the southeast coast of the Spanish mainland. Low 1500-foot hills roll out of the sea along its southern coast and give way to a wide valley that runs the sixty-mile length of the island. The valley rising northward sweeps up to a 4000-foot mountain range that drops abruptly into the sea. We entered the harbor of Palma at daybreak just in time to see the city waking up. Directly behind the city were mountains. An old Spanish castle was perched on a small hill near the shoreline and a huge Gothic cathedral dominated the center of town. Smoke from thousands of breakfast fires filled the air making sand-colored buildings vague and indistinct in the early morning light. It was enough to make you yawn just looking at it. Avenue Generalissimo Franco, Palma. Dances-We were enrerfained by 'this group who in I949 won firsf prize as a resulf of 'rheir pariicipaiion in an iniernaiional coniesi of folk dancing in Greai' Brifain.

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f 4-JL fi W , , 4 lg. A 10 fr , 1 A in ihen you drop your flaps and give a hard rlgH rudder. OFF the 'Funicular and up 'lhe ski row. Beyond rhere ii' fakes wings. . , F 2' A Y1,w,,,,,. M' rf-14 Smiiil PQZ img X ,,,o, , up 'U ,Vw 'W tl 5 4 ,I-J' , , fir The entire area was a paradise for camera bugs and the shutters were click- ing night and day. Numerous St. Bernard dogs were run ragged as the con- tinuous subjects of the film fiends but accepted their fate stoically. No arms or legs were reported lost although several Wrestling matches were won by the woolly mammoths. Most unforgettable to all who went to Switzerland is the fastidious nature of the people, not only in their person but in their surroundings as well. The well-scrubbed faces, the shining white and cream stucco buildings, polished woodwork and swept cobble streets were all representative of the national fetish for cleanliness. WVith so much natural beauty on every side 'it is little wonder that the Swiss make every effort to preserve and enhance it to the best of their ability. ,, mv4.,mh-f-Y Wx ' ' ' , f ' i V, gV,g 'f ii ,tutzz No German aimosphere is compleie wiihoui' a Tyrolean band named Hans and Fritz. Some of 'Phe boys Were awhoopin' il up On good ole Sieinbrau beer . . .'

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l Caplan' 90 af The TARAWA's Cafhdlic choir sang in fhifs cafhedral. Ashore people were friendly and enjoyed performing colorful folk dances for our benefit. Our Catholic choir sang mass in one of the churches. Liberty parties scattered, some on tour to the caves of Manacor, others sampled wine made all the more enjoyable for being served in ancient wine shops. Every- one visited the little shops on narrow side streets that twisted and jogged in unexpected directions. It was not uncommon to see someone TARAWA-bound carry- ing huge bundles, for the shops were filled with hand-blown glass vases, and linens. Although we were there in mid-january the weather was mild and the wide tree- lined promenade was filled with people either strolling leisurely or taking it easy on a bench at the side. Somehow the people there seemed healthier and happier than in many other places we visited. e Spanish Admhavs Drach Caves fcaves of rhe Dragon, 200 'Feei' underground. Miniafure swords of T I 0 Edo sfeel y dauied bY th 'f . . Duerfeldi is appiiiwn iversonahw' Mallorcan wineries were well sfocked.