Posted on 07/05/2007 2:07:48 PM PDT by Cecily
After steaming through the Heads just before midday, it took almost an hour for two tugs to guide the 323m Kitty Hawk into dock at the Garden Island naval base.
More than 100 family members, who had flown from the ship's base at Yokosuka in Japan, were on hand to meet loved ones.
Sailors listed their top priorities as going to the zoo to see koalas and kangaroos, dining at Centrepoint tower, climbing the Harbour Bridge and relaxing on Sydney's beaches.
"It is awesome, this is my second visit to Australia and from my last visit I remember how great the people were, that's what I'm looking forward to," Lieutenant Caleb Mcdow, 26, said.
Captain Todd Zecchin said his sailors had "boundless enthusiasm" for their Sydney visit. They are expected to spend $1 million a day before the ship leaves on Tuesday.
Another $1 million will be spent restocking the Kitty Hawk and two other US ships, the Juneau and the Tortuga.
Captain Zecchin said it was his first trip to Sydney and he would be shown around by a friend from the RAAF.
While many of the sailors will use their shore leave to relax and have fun, others are planning to volunteer their time helping local community groups.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
Suuuuuure. Maybe I have an over-active imagination, but I can think of at least one higher priority than seeing a bunch of koalas wacked out on their drug of choice.
Thanks for the Post. I was on the Kitty Hawk’s maiden voyage around the horn of South America in 1961.!!!...
Notice the aircraft on the flightdeck. Normally when an aircraft carrier approaches harbor the airwing departs for land airbases. They flyoff before docking in Japan. I guess there are no ‘facilities’ for doing this in Australia.
bump
ROTFLMAO! Sailors lie.
I remember liberty in Australia. Most of it. Well, some of it.
Just the thought of some of the beautiful Aussie women I have seen over the years..... I guess "boundless enthusiasm" is the better way to say it.
ping
Nothin worse than a salty old sailor.
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