Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip - Day 24 (Honiara)

24 Sept 1997 Flashback

An extremely busy day for me as I'm on duty and on anchor watch. Even right now, 10.44pm I'm feeling shacked because in another 15 mins time, I'll run the EP again.

A day of tired work, now I just return from the hoisting of EP and since 11pm till now 1.20am, been working non-stop. During the securing of EP, I was left alone by my own department on the EP, when I request for help, they pretend didn't hear my message. Was angry and with help of Kuek and Yam, lowered the straps and after squaring up the place, just walk away from the area. Was vexed up. Today afternoon, read C letter and *private thoughts*. Today LSWT help me to buy the things that I ask him to buy. He got most of the stuffs except the keychain which I wanted badly. He know the design I show him but he didn't buy , instead try to pick another for me. *Private thoughts*. Also today, CO allow us to swim in the sea, it was nice. But most of the day, very busy with EP and didn't have much of our own time. 2nd time so busy during duty. Signoff, Weizhong

Giordano - World of Strangers @ Honiara

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The above is my favourite photo of the MSTD trip. It is taken on EM Goh's camera (green shirt guy on the left most side). Remember he say our photo can be used for Giordano advertisement slogan, "World of Strangers". On EM Goh, he is the electrical guy onboard L202 and same ORD date as me. He may be small size but has a fiery temper, don't step on his toes on a bad day. Heard he work in a big IT firm (Sun) after ORD but actually not very sure because didn't stay in touch after L202 dinner in 98. Think saw someone that looks like him during last year RT @ Khatib camp but didn't talk as wasn't really sure its him and the person also "bo chap".

Back to Honiara, Solomon Islands, I remember the final duty day as a very tiring day because running many rounds of EP, to/fro the ship. Everyone was super tired, that why I got abandoned by my fellow team at night during securing of EP. Was damn pissed & tired on that night.

However, the thing that I have the strongest impression about my trip to Solomon Islands without refering to my sailing diary, also happen on this day. On that Solomon island duty day, the ship was anchored out at sea. During off duty watch period, CO allow us to swim in the sea near our ship. He also swim in it and many of us join him by jumping from the ship into the Solomon island calm sea. It was fun until after we finished the swim, our dear RO Wilfred informed us that this area is actually a SHARKS area. What the...why didn't he tell us before we jump into it. Haha, we all have a good laugh about how naive all of us were at that time, enjoying the swim, not aware of potential danger of sharks.