How often have we heard someone say that. I was given that opportunity with my second stint in the Navy. It dawned on me towards the end of my first stint that I may have wasted a few opportunities to see the exotic places that I got to visit. This became apparent when one of the Junior members of the crew introduced me to his parents on return from a longer deployment. When quizzed by his parents on what he thought of places like Japan, Hong Kong Singapore, he always started with “Great Pub”. I had been to some of these locations many times before, and didn’t even think that as a “senior” member, I should educate and mentor the younger ones in the experiences offered by these foreign countries. Luckily enough I was given the opportunity of Hindsight and with the assistance of another matured sailor, we created Youngy and Baz’s tragical Tours.
Because of the number of times we had visited various Exotic ports, we didn’t need to spend as much time ashore as we had previously. Ships have become much more comfortable than when I first went to sea and so it was easier to stay onboard and catch up on stuff rather than sometimes go out and explore. Tours had become expensive and were really touristy, so licenced venues with entertainment were appealing from early in the day to relieve boredom. Baz and I worked to amend this.
First tour that I remember was in Manila Philippines. We were there for about 4 days and the usual tours were offered to known tourist spots via Tourist oriented Markets. Basically there and back and see what the tour guide wanted you to see. Not for Baz and me. First night in recon. An Expat bar just off Rizal Park in the main Entertainment district of Manila. The Owner was from Newcastle I think and the place called the Angry Ram or similar. A couple of sherbets and a some talking and we had a Jeepney for the day.
It didn’t take much to gather 10 intrepid adventurers to join us for a day for what turned out to be $25 for everything except food and Beer top-up. The owner of the Bar, lets call him Trevor, provided the driver, two of his female staff and two large eskys full of San Miguel. The girls proved invaluable as Interpreters, Security, Tourist Guides and as it turned out Champion Surfers. We had a couple of guys bring their boards and a couple of breaks were found.
We travelled all day through the back roads of the Manila area, through jungle, up and down hills, along the coast and in and out of small villages. Most villages we stopped for toilet breaks, beer top up and spend some money on local produce or garments. By the time we got back, we offloaded at the pub and had a meal and a laugh and unlike other ports, were home asleep by 10 having had a wonderful day.
Clayton (Baz) and I continued to do this throughout the 6 month deployment. We had tours in Singpaore, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea. In Japan we organised 3 overall. The cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki being the prime intentions. We only ever used Public transport and had a great deal of fun trying to interpret Japanese into English. We got to see the Emperor of Japan come back from an Overseas trip and witness the local people standing 10 deep on both sides of the road for as far as the eye could see to welcome him home. Imagine that for one of our Leaders. NOT !!
Hokkaido in Japan also saw us go to Sapporo and be offered a try of Crab meat that was on sale for $150/kg. And not just a morsel. a whole pincer of this crab that’s body was as big as your two hands together. Massive from very deep in the ocean.
Our tours started slowly, 3 or 4 at first just joined us to see where the two Old Dogs were going. By the end of the trip we would have between 20 – 30 with us. Believe me the troops still partied, but we had at least filled their daylight hours and shown the countries they were visiting from sober eyes and where possible with the assistance of locals to give some more insight about the local culture that they wanted you to see.
Becoming a more mature person doesn’t mean becoming boring. Yes we don’t and can’t play up like we used to, but the things that we did enjoy in the past can still be enjoyable today. One of the worst things we can start a statement with is “In my Day”. In those immortal words of Gunny Sergeant Highway in Heartbreak Ridge, Improvise Adapt and Overcome. We have to look at things through the eyes of those we are trying to stimulate and amend our delivery and memories so they understand. Otherwise history will be lost. Remember Sunday drives?? Not want we really want to do anymore as there is too much traffic (around her anyway), make it to an enjoyable way to get there. Left Right works, or turn after every VW.
In short, Travel and see this world as it gets smaller. Leave your Attitude at Customs, respect where you are and the country’s customs and if you enjoyed the place, let everyone else know.
I’ve enjoyed writing this one, enjoy the world and Go Chooks,
Youngy
Youngy's Yak 