I'm back, I guess
I have been remiss in not updating this blog. I knew that I would not update it on my off-rotation days, as there was just too much going on, but there is no excuse for not writing something after returning to E.G. Oh, well. Mia Culpa and all that.
During the last off-rotation, Sharon and I took a journey and went north. On the way, we saw some spectacular fall color. We stopped in Niagara falls which was a first for both of us, even Sharon who is a New York native. We continued north to Maine and visited with her Mother and her younger sister and their family. They live in Damarisscotta,about 1 hr north of Portland on the coast. Beautiful place. We are thinking about buying some land up there and maybe spending a couple months a year there.
On the way back, we stopped by her other sister and her spouse's place in southern New Jersey. Those two are childless,and he is a couple years older than me. I do not have much to say complimentary about the guy.
When we left there, we decided to go down the coast and headed for the Delaware Memorial bridge. Right before the bridge, I pulled over into a rest area for a cup of coffee and to use the facilities. When I walked into the men's room, there was a gaggle of mexican employees all standing around one stall and jabbering. In the stall was a dead man. They had just found him and I was the first civilian to walk in. Lucky me. I got out of there and the state police drove up within minutes. Needless to say, I did not use the bathroom there, nor buy any coffee. He was obviously alone, and probably felt bad and went in there to be sick. Boy, sick he got.......
We got lost in Norfolk, but managed to see a spectacular sunset.
Passing thru South Carolina, on a whim I detoured to Orangeburg where an old Navy buddy of mine lived. I used to visit him and his wife there during the last couple of years of my service.He and I served on the same ship in Charleston and he got out a year or so before me. He was my best man at my wedding, but I had not heard from him in about 12 years or so. As luck would have it, they still live in the same old house. They never did have any children of their own, but live with her sisters and their children and granchildren. It is a full house. Always has been. So, it was good to see old Bill and to revisit our shared youth. A wonderful visit.
After that, we went to Savannah. I have always liked that town. I used to go there when I was stationed in Charleston for some place different. They have a great nightclub area and the best St. Paddy's day celebrations in the US.We went to try to get into Paula Dean's restaurant (Lady and two sons), but it was no way. You have to be there at 9am of the previous day for any chance for a reservation. Oh, well. They have a nice gift shop....)
After Savannah, we drove all night and most of the next day. There was no reason to stop in Florida or Alabama. Nothing to see. So, we drove on thru and visited my old Maw in Louisiana.
In all, a great 4000 mile trip. Really enjoyed it. The rest of the time off went by.. My son is still in Buffalo, living there with two of his friends. They are cutting down about 120 trees and sectioning them, and splitting them. They sell the wood to different places. Oak to Houston, Hickory to several BBQ places in the area. He has managed to sell all of the wood so far, somewhere in excess of 40+ cords.
Today is Christmas day here in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Has been very quiet for the past two days. Most of the nationals are all at home. So it is primarily just ex-pats here.
Tonight is the BIG DINNER. I have heard all sorts of rumors as to what the content might be. Since this is my first time spending Christmas here, I will find out. I understand that the budget for tonight's meal was over $15,000. Same for New Years (which I will celebrate here as well.).
It reminds me of Christmas 2005. I was at sea, not 50 miles from here. I had spent the previous two months at sea as a crew member of the Erha FPSO. That is a huge floating oil refinery. They anchor those things over oil fields at sea and pump the crude oil, water and gas onto the ship. The ship has basic refining units that separate the components and it pumps the oil thru umbilicals to waiting super tankers. The gas is burned off in a flare and water is cleaned and pumped back to sea. Very interesting operation.
I got to go aboard as Tow Leg 2 crew. We picked it up at Richard's Bay, South AFrica in Zulu land. It was towed by two ocean going tugs from Singapore and as it passed the little town of Richards Bay, we were choppered onboard and the Leg 1 crew was taken off. Our tow was from the Eastern side of South Africa , around the Cape and up the western side of Africa to Nigeria. Around Christmas, we arrived at the edge of Nigerian waters and were halted for several days as Customs officials came on board. They seized most passports and claimed that there were 'errors', and offered to 'fix' the errors for $200 per passport , cash. Of course, Exxon refused so they left , with the passports. But our logistics people on shore went to the customs office and made sure that they were returned, no fees. Mine was included.
So, this is the second Christmas / New Years I have spent in this immediate area. Fun.
Here is a picture of my little guy (grandson) Braedon. He will be three in February.
During the last off-rotation, Sharon and I took a journey and went north. On the way, we saw some spectacular fall color. We stopped in Niagara falls which was a first for both of us, even Sharon who is a New York native. We continued north to Maine and visited with her Mother and her younger sister and their family. They live in Damarisscotta,about 1 hr north of Portland on the coast. Beautiful place. We are thinking about buying some land up there and maybe spending a couple months a year there.
On the way back, we stopped by her other sister and her spouse's place in southern New Jersey. Those two are childless,and he is a couple years older than me. I do not have much to say complimentary about the guy.
When we left there, we decided to go down the coast and headed for the Delaware Memorial bridge. Right before the bridge, I pulled over into a rest area for a cup of coffee and to use the facilities. When I walked into the men's room, there was a gaggle of mexican employees all standing around one stall and jabbering. In the stall was a dead man. They had just found him and I was the first civilian to walk in. Lucky me. I got out of there and the state police drove up within minutes. Needless to say, I did not use the bathroom there, nor buy any coffee. He was obviously alone, and probably felt bad and went in there to be sick. Boy, sick he got.......
We got lost in Norfolk, but managed to see a spectacular sunset.
Passing thru South Carolina, on a whim I detoured to Orangeburg where an old Navy buddy of mine lived. I used to visit him and his wife there during the last couple of years of my service.He and I served on the same ship in Charleston and he got out a year or so before me. He was my best man at my wedding, but I had not heard from him in about 12 years or so. As luck would have it, they still live in the same old house. They never did have any children of their own, but live with her sisters and their children and granchildren. It is a full house. Always has been. So, it was good to see old Bill and to revisit our shared youth. A wonderful visit.
After that, we went to Savannah. I have always liked that town. I used to go there when I was stationed in Charleston for some place different. They have a great nightclub area and the best St. Paddy's day celebrations in the US.We went to try to get into Paula Dean's restaurant (Lady and two sons), but it was no way. You have to be there at 9am of the previous day for any chance for a reservation. Oh, well. They have a nice gift shop....)
After Savannah, we drove all night and most of the next day. There was no reason to stop in Florida or Alabama. Nothing to see. So, we drove on thru and visited my old Maw in Louisiana.
In all, a great 4000 mile trip. Really enjoyed it. The rest of the time off went by.. My son is still in Buffalo, living there with two of his friends. They are cutting down about 120 trees and sectioning them, and splitting them. They sell the wood to different places. Oak to Houston, Hickory to several BBQ places in the area. He has managed to sell all of the wood so far, somewhere in excess of 40+ cords.
Today is Christmas day here in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Has been very quiet for the past two days. Most of the nationals are all at home. So it is primarily just ex-pats here.
Tonight is the BIG DINNER. I have heard all sorts of rumors as to what the content might be. Since this is my first time spending Christmas here, I will find out. I understand that the budget for tonight's meal was over $15,000. Same for New Years (which I will celebrate here as well.).
It reminds me of Christmas 2005. I was at sea, not 50 miles from here. I had spent the previous two months at sea as a crew member of the Erha FPSO. That is a huge floating oil refinery. They anchor those things over oil fields at sea and pump the crude oil, water and gas onto the ship. The ship has basic refining units that separate the components and it pumps the oil thru umbilicals to waiting super tankers. The gas is burned off in a flare and water is cleaned and pumped back to sea. Very interesting operation.
I got to go aboard as Tow Leg 2 crew. We picked it up at Richard's Bay, South AFrica in Zulu land. It was towed by two ocean going tugs from Singapore and as it passed the little town of Richards Bay, we were choppered onboard and the Leg 1 crew was taken off. Our tow was from the Eastern side of South Africa , around the Cape and up the western side of Africa to Nigeria. Around Christmas, we arrived at the edge of Nigerian waters and were halted for several days as Customs officials came on board. They seized most passports and claimed that there were 'errors', and offered to 'fix' the errors for $200 per passport , cash. Of course, Exxon refused so they left , with the passports. But our logistics people on shore went to the customs office and made sure that they were returned, no fees. Mine was included.
So, this is the second Christmas / New Years I have spent in this immediate area. Fun.
Here is a picture of my little guy (grandson) Braedon. He will be three in February.