US Frigate in O'staad

[Andrea J.]

Yesterday morning at about 10 am paul and i were bobbing about in the ocean in front of ABC. Along came a US NAvy ship, a fast Frigate.

The Aruba pilot boat came out to greet it and guided it in to port (downtown).

Later, paul and i stopped at Amsterdam Manor beach bar (BB Happy hr, no one there, we stayed for 40 minutes as i was not feeling well due to stomach bug) A handful of the sailors from the frigate were at AM beach bar. We sat with them, all of them including paul, chugging Balashis and me nursing a sprite. They told us that they have been on the s america route for the past 5 months! Aruba was their first warm weather port of call in 5 months.

Average age of these guys was approx 20.........handful of 19 yr olds and the rest 21 and 22 yr olds. INFANTS.

Funny stuff.......they all were enjoying big fat cuban cigars. they were drinking balashis and pina coladas rapidly. they were all very very white and loading each other up on sunblock. lots of folks walked by, noticed they were on shore leave and thanked them for their service. omgosh i felt old!!!

[Arubalisa]

[TomFrederick]

Many years ago a British Royal Marine command attack ship was in port. Some of the marines came to the CDM bar. Since we had a nice looking daughter with us the family got invited to tour their ship.
A few days later on a sunset cruise the marines were testing out their small rubber assult boats up near the lighthouse. After a few landing on the beach they came along side and of course they got some free drinks.
That's one reason Aruba is one of the safest island to visit. Also every few years 2 F16's(or some #) has flow low along Eagle beach. Also have seen a US Coast Guard Cutter in port every few years.

[lizzardo]

U.S. warship visits Aruba
The American warship USS Klak Ring has begun a visit of several days in Aruba. The crew here will know the local people and organizations helping to implement welfare projects. They will also donate products, including stuffed animals to the Red Cross Aruba. The crew is doing this because the U.S. wants to build closer relationships with the populations of countries with which it has military agreements.

[Ples]

Originally Posted by tomfrederick

since we had a nice looking daughter with us the family got invited to tour their ship.

:d:d:d

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by TomFrederick

Many years ago a British Royal Marine command attack ship was in port. Some of the marines came to the CDM bar. Since we had a nice looking daughter with us the family got invited to tour their ship.

With security nowadays, that was probably a once in a lifetime experience.

Originally Posted by lizzardo

The crew is doing this because the U.S. wants to build closer relationships with the populations of countries with which it has military agreements.

[aquaman]

Originally Posted by Andrea J.

Yesterday morning at about 10 am paul and i were bobbing about in the ocean in front of ABC. Along came a US NAvy ship, a fast Frigate.

The Aruba pilot boat came out to greet it and guided it in to port (downtown).

Later, paul and i stopped at Amsterdam Manor beach bar (BB Happy hr, no one there, we stayed for 40 minutes as i was not feeling well due to stomach bug) A handful of the sailors from the frigate were at AM beach bar. We sat with them, all of them including paul, chugging Balashis and me nursing a sprite. They told us that they have been on the s america route for the past 5 months! Aruba was their first warm weather port of call in 5 months.

Average age of these guys was approx 20.........handful of 19 yr olds and the rest 21 and 22 yr olds. INFANTS.

Funny stuff.......they all were enjoying big fat cuban cigars. they were drinking balashis and pina coladas rapidly. they were all very very white and loading each other up on sunblock. lots of folks walked by, noticed they were on shore leave and thanked them for their service. omgosh i felt old!!!

Andrea....not old....just wiser and experienced. Still young at heart

Aquaman

[silverfox82]

Originally Posted by Arubalisa

With security nowadays, that was probably a once in a lifetime experience.

Couple of years ago the CGC Eagle (the united states only tall ship) docked in st maarten and my wife and I got a personally guided tour after showing my CG tatoo.

[Bill]

Thank you for saying Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!