The Lava flowed....

First and foremost, my apologies for the lack of posts lately, but I have been a rather busy sailor. I was placed back on rounds last week, which means I juggle my regular duties as the Engineering Officer's Writer as well as the duties of a roundsman standing 1 in 4 watches. This means we work 4 hours then have 12 hours off... except we were also "turning two" which means when we are finished our 4 hour watch we work for the next for hours doing maintenance and fixing broken machinery. So it makes for a very busy and sleepless week. This past weekend I was fortunate enough to discover the beauty and relaxation of Hawaii. We pulled into Pearl Harbor, passing the Arizona Memorial (ship sunk during the bombing, and now there is a saddle shaped monument over its resting place) and parallel parking amoungst the intimidating American Fleet along Destroyer Row. Our ship seemed even dwarfed and less armed then the American Coast Guard ship we birthed next to. We are definitely amoungst giants! The first day in was a busy one for the engineering department. The moment we came alongside, the wrenches and greasy rags were being passed around. We had several major pieces of machinery that required minor repairs... and just like any minor repair, it quickly took on a life of its own. Four hours into the wench turning, the rest of the ship's company was secured and allowed to leave the ship and start their R&R in port. Us Stokers however, continued to toil in the heat with only the occasional beer to quench our un-yielding thirst. Nine hours into our repairs... the last fitting was tightened and the last beer can was crushed... and Corrina was itching to get off the boat to see Hawaii! The boys, like true brothers, insisted I see the nightlife of the Island and took me to try my first Mai Tai. Unfortunately, all the hype didn't hold much water and I was quickly trying to pawn the over rum tasting drink off to one of the boys. But not to fret because now we were going to head off downtown to Waikiki Beach to a much-loved navy stop, Duke's Canoe House. Duke’s has to be located in one of the most beautiful settings on Waikiki. Perhaps I am simply partial to it because this was the location of my first encounter with THE OCEAN. Now I know I have just spent over 2 weeks floating around in the big blue, but there is something to be said about walking through a narrow path with two large buildings towering up on either side of you (long boards stowed along the walls) and catching your first glimpse of white sand and glistening postcard - blue water breaking on the shore. I couldn't contain my excitement and practically managed to reach the water in a couple of jumping steps. I just had to touch the water. I think the best way to describe what happened next is that the water touched me. True to form, the one rogue wave out there came hunting for me and no sooner was I ankle deep in the surf... was I splashed with salt water to my upper thighs. Thank God it was both warm water and a warm night. I eventually tore myself away from the lapping waves to wander up to the bar were I was promptly handed my first Lava Flow. A Lava Flow is a wonderful Hawaii treat. It is the consistency of a slush and has pineapple juice, coconut juice and rum with a splash of strawberry puree... I'm telling ya, one sip and you're hooked - which wasn't a problem because the lava continued to flow for the rest of the evening. We spent most of our time reclined on the patio listening to the waves breaking and watching the night through the glow of teaky torches. What a way to relax and finally have some down time after such a hectic sailing routine! The following day I was on the Duty Watch - which meant that I had to remain onboard the ship for 24 hours and make sure nothing went wrong with the machinery and to check people's IDs as they returned to the ship after a night of heavy drinking and carrying on (very entertaining!). Well that morning as I stood on the flight deck of the ship in the merciless sun, I came to learn another wonderful quality of the Lava Flow. I was perhaps one of the few who was not suffering a hang over. Despite the fact that I got to watch and giggle at all the drunk Canadian sailors and American marines returning to the ship in the wee hours of the morning, it was a very quiet day filled with laundry and reading. Sunday was our final day in port and my first real chance to take in all the island of Hawaii had to offer. Two of the boys and myself rented a car for the day, which ended up being a Sebring convertible - I think this may have been my first experience touring around in a convertible. I'd just like to say that I should have splurged on a 'Thelma & Louise scarf' so my hair didn't get so tangled! But the day was still well worth the tangles. We picked up a map and started heading north along the eastern coast of the island. What a beautiful place once you get a bit of distance between you and the concrete tourist trap of Honolulu… and gaining that distance in a convertible is all the more sweeter. We stopped at a Park Beach with sparsely populated white sand beaches, and spent the next few hours floating in the warm, rhythmic waves. What a gorgeous location. The drive afterwards continued to reward us with views of jagged mountains covered in lush greenery and exotic flowers. We wrapped up the day of sightseeing, sand and surf with a dinner at Ruby Tuesday’s… where it was steaks all around. The rejuvenating qualities of one good day in Hawaii, was completely unexpected on my part. Who knew that so much beauty could be found just beyond the flashy, overpowering tourism of Honolulu? I think it is only fair to admit (despite the almost certain reproach of a certain mother who did not receive a phone call from her wayward daughter that day), that the phone conversation I shared with Kevin, for the first time since our tearful good bye (ok, maybe it was just me), that helped lift my spirits from their funk. Regardless, I left Hawaii feeling recharged for the next leg of the journey across the big blue sea. I look forward to filling you all in to the many adventures and discoveries of the next port we get to encounter, but as we talked about before, I can’t really be giving that information out over the internet. But as soon as I can, I’ll share the details. So, to make up for leaving you all hanging with that one, I have another tidbit to share. I just volunteered, as in about 10 minutes ago, to participate in a cross-pole with one of the American ships. What this entails is sending a couple of our sailors over to the other ships so we can see what life is like over there. I can already hear my Mother getting excited and Kevin getting jealous over this one. Well each department onboard is allowed to submit 3 names of individuals they feel are deserving of this experience, along with the ship of their choice. I chose the aircraft carrier. The people who get to participate will be onboard their respective vessels for one day and one night and returned to their home ship the next day. Here is the first bit of excitement about the whole process: I’m thinking that getting to the host ship would include a Sea King (helicopter) ride! Secondly, how exciting it would be to wander around an aircraft carrier that is essentially a floating city with 5,800 inhabitants. Ok… time to calm down a bit. The ship in question is not an aircraft carrier exactly. This one carries all the light armored vehicles and vertical launching aircraft, etc, etc. Just do a Google search (I know Mom will) on the USS Boxer LHD and you’ll get the picture. Wish me luck that the paperwork will go through and I’ll be packing an overnight bag and boarding a Sea King!