Guam (USA)

Checked out of my room at the Andersen Lodge (Air Force Inns) as soon as we reached crew rest minimums.  Still feeling quite tired after our flight yesterday but feeling ready to depart.  Got some lunch (to go) at the Burger King on base (0905L). I then met up with the crew and we departed from Guam, bound for mainland Japan.  We landed relatively early and I went to Taco Bell for a late lunch.  Later, I went to the movies and had a drink at the O-Club.  From the conversations I had throughout the afternoon and evening, it was clear that everyone in the Detachment is already ready to leave Japan.  I'm not!  Regardless, it sounds like we will be departing (for Hawaii) sometime tomorrow night.  Bonus: we might be flying through Midway!  It's been an interesting Detachment... 

Atsugi, Honshu (Japan)

Brant and I got another mission!  In the late afternoon, we departed from NAF Atsugi and headed south from Japan.  We were on our way to Guam and again had to pick our way through nasty weather.  We arrived at Andersen AFB in the middle of the night and barely beat the front end of a typhoon as we were landing! As we parked, the skies burst and the lightning started.  As a result, we couldn't get off the plane, since everyone was afraid (due to lightning restrictions) to drive out to get us. With the resulting long delay in deplaning, it seemed like it was closer to sunrise by the time we reached Base Operations...  Due to everyone's exhaustion, we decided to get rooms on base and ended up staying at the Andersen Lodge (Air Force Inns).  While not a popular choice, this eliminated the ride to Tumon Bay and got us to bed immediately...

Tumon Bay, Guam (USA)

Woke up, refreshed, at the Pacific Islands Club (on Tumon Bay).  [At 0700L], I ate breakfast at the Skylight Restaurant and then called Nicky.  A bit later, I went swimming and played on the water slides.  Even though I only spent a few hours outside, I actually got a sunburn! Ate lunch at Skylight and then met up with my crew for a ride back to Andersen Air Force Base.  We departed Guam in the late afternoon; fortunately, the weather was good for our flight back to Japan.  Arrived at NAF Atsugi in the late evening and returned to my room at the CBH.  After all the amazing places I just saw, these accommodations seem boring... What a trip!

Subic Bay, Luzon (USA)

This morning, I got some souvenirs for Nicky and the kids and then checked out of the hotel (Holiday Inn Park View).  With my crew, I returned to Paya Lebar.  After getting the plane ready, Brant and I few out of Singapore to the east.  We picked our way through some weather and were able to reach our duel stop destination: the Philippine Islands.  This was my first visit and, like most of the rest of the trip, I found everything to be quite interesting... We landed at the old Navy Base in Subic Bay (it is now an international airport). The infrastructure seems relatively unscathed in the 10+ years since they left. Not on the ground very long - we took off for Guam after the sun set. We landed at Andersen Air Force Base very late in the evening. Our lodging office allowed us to stay at the PIC again - as a result, I got a "welcome back" gift! [Before settling down for the evening, I walked around near the hotel to see what they had in the way of entertainment. Was able to get some more souvenirs for Nicky and the kids.  Had a late dinner at the Cafe Rock and Roll and drinks at the Pool Bar.]  It's been a great mission so far!

Colombo (Sri Lanka)

Keeping our hotel rooms (because we planned to be back in the evening), we departed Paya Lebar early in the morning. During the climb-out, we gt some great views of Malaysia.  Our route took us across the Indian Ocean to Sri Lanka. I never thought I would get to see this place - it definitely isn't a holiday resort... People in Colombo are very edgy and there were lots of guns. One of the handlers showed us where the Tamil rebels had hit the airport within a few yards of where we were parked. I got taken (again, at gunpoint) to the weather office. Meanwhile, Brant coordinated the fueling.  Needless to say, I was glad to get out of town... Our flight back to Singapore (reverse route from the morning) was uneventful.  After landing, we went back to the Holiday Inn (Park View Singapore). For dinner, we wanted to have a real authentic experience, so we asked the concierge where we should eat. He recommended a place called "Lei Garden Seafood Restaurant." We had to walk a few blocks over to a tall building - it looked like an office complex. We followed his instructions exactly, including an elevator ride and following a maze of hallways. Just when we thought we had been duped, we saw a man standing at the end of the hall - wearing a tuxedo. When he saw us coming, he ran inside and reappeared with another man. We were led into the room - everyone was Asian and wearing suits and dresses (compared to our shorts and t-shirts). They were good sports, though, and we were soon seated at a huge table in the back. There was only one menu - with eight different courses. Everyone agreed and the food - Peking Duck, crab, chicken, and more (along with Tiger Beer) - started flowing... We stayed late (2300L) but the cost ended up being only about $75 (US) each. The whole experience was unforgettable!

Paya Lebar (Singapore)

Brant and I got assigned a multi-day mission that will take us through Singapore and Sri Lanka!  I ate breakfast at the Flight Kitchen and finished up my flight planning early this morning.  We had a good flight from mainland Japan - talked to Ho Chi Minh Center! We arrived at Paya Lebar relatively early and made our way to the hotel, the Holiday Inn (Park View Singapore). By then, I'd started to feel sick (headache) and didn't end up going out with everyone else. Instead, I ate at a little place across the street from the hotel called "Cross Straights Restaurant" (1900L). The weather was good almost all day. I went to bed early tonight...

Tokyo, Honshu (Japan)

Dennis took me into "the big city" today - it was very hot but the sun wasn't too bad on my easily-burned skin. To get there, we rode the train until we got to the main station in Tokyo. After that, we walked around in the Shibakoen area. There is a pretty shrine there and - unexpected - a tree that President Ulysses Grant planted when he was in the country in the 1870s. While walking here, we learned that the Imperial Gardens were open (kind of rare, I think). We saw lots of interesting buildings, gardens and the ruins of Shogun Tokugawa's palace. Near the end of the day we walked around the Tokyo Tower and had and early dinner in the Hard Rock Cafe. Eventually, we [hailed a cab and] went to the train station so we could head back to NAF Atsugi.  We arrived on base at around sunset and I headed back to my room at the CBH.  What an experience! 

Iwakuni, Yamaguchi (Japan)

[itinerary uncertain (short legs; probably NAF Atsugi to Iwakuni MCAS) - flying with Brant - staying at CBH NAF Atsugi]

Atsugi, Honshu (Japan)

[got a haircut on base this morning and then picked up groceries at the Commissary (1025L) - sent some post cards - staying at CBH NAF Atsugi]

Okinawa (Japan)

Before our mission today, I ate breakfast at McDonalds.  [itinerary uncertain (Brant and I probably flew from NAF Atsugi to Kadena Air Base and back - I got to visit with John & Ann and see Duncan and Declan in Okinawa)].  Staying at CBH NAF Atsugi.

Tumon Bay, Guam (USA)

Woke up early in Tumon Bay.  Ate breakfast at one of the hotel restaurants.  Since it wasn't my day to fly, I took advantage of the many water slides in the PIC. It was a fun way to pass the time! Ate lunch buffet at Toryu (Chinese Fusion) at the hotel (1145L). Called Nicky.  We finally headed back to Andersen Air Force Base and left Guam (bound for Japan) in the early afternoon.  Arrived on the Japanese Mainland in the evening (dark) and landed at NAF Atsugi.  Checked into the CBH, where I'll be spending the rest of the month.

Tumon Bay, Guam (USA)

Still flying with Brant (continuation from Hawaii & Wake Island).  With a brand new day (Date Line) and the time changes, we arrived at Andersen Air Force Base late in the afternoon on August 20.  We got another treat then - to stay in the Pacific Islands Club (PIC) on Tumon Bay.  Wow - what a resort!  I had a great dinner in one of their restaurants.  We'll be leaving in the afternoon tomorrow...

Wake Island (USA)

Ate breakfast at Denny's this morning.  Checked out of the Outrigger Reef Hotel early and headed back to Hickam Field.  After getting the aircraft ready, we left Hawaii and headed west.  I'd heard of Wake Island (World War II history studies), but I never thought I would get to visit. After about four hours of flight time from Honolulu, it was amazing to see this little sand-bar looking island pop up out of the blue... Before landing, we took an tour (flew around the whole island). Lunch was a box of Thai noodles and chicken - very good. A typhoon was standing in the way of our route to Japan, so Brant and Keith decided we should fly over to Guam.  After getting permission from Home Base, we departed Wake and flew west. [skipped a day in my life because we crossed the International Date Line before landing]

Honolulu, HI (USA)

[WESTPAC Detachment] Day went well - good weather all the way to Hawaii [via Travis AFB or Moffett Field]. We landed at the famous Hickam Field, which is the military side of Honolulu International Airport (on Oahu).  This was my first time In Hawaii - and it makes my 50th state! I was always hoping to get them all, but it took a long time... We arrived kind of late - I only had enough time to have a few Mai Tais at some nearby watering holes (including Duke's Canoe Club). Our hotel (Outrigger Reef) is a nice place but it has kind of confusing towers after you've had a few...

[Marietta, GA (USA)]

[itinerary uncertain (rescue mission to Little Rock, Arkansas ?) - flew with Mike L.]