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On the KYUSHU island of Japan, which is in the Southwestern part, we anchored off Nagasaki harbor, the town of SASEBO. Sasebo has a Navy base and in October of 1994, we went there for operations. The Naval base there is home to many U.S. sailors that are home ported there, a large part of our Pacific fleet. I was on a civilian vessel, which leased to the military in carrying war equipment, and supplies. I also had officer status, and got to spend the night in officers bachelors quarters, (BOQ'S)for only 7 dollars a night. The rooms were splendid, right next to the officers club and full cable TV. The only unexpected surprise to me was that Sasebo was experiencing water shortages at the time, so we had to use bucket for shower from water filled barrels. No big deal having dealt with this problem on the islands of Guam and Saipan during power outages.
Sasebo was a neat little town. I could walk off base, cross the Albuquerque bridge and head right to an outside shopping plaza. Went to the seafood market there, and even managed to take a base tour to HIRAIDO ISLAND. This island is beautiful and the television series SHOGUN was filmed right there on location. This island had still standing SAMURI warrior castles and you could actually see the full body armor and weaponry on display. I learned alot of Japanese history just being there. The Japanese beat off a Mongolian attack around there and credited their victory to the "DIVINE WIND", or "KAMIKAZE". A Typhoon that wrecked the invaders fleet saving the island from disaster from Ghengas Khan invasion. I also saw the grave of John Walker, the main character of the series SHOGUN. Another base tour we took was to Nagasaki, Japan. I actually stood on GROUND ZERO and visited the museum there. Definately worth a visit.
I have traveled to Japan as a non-rev since, but not to Sasebo. I went to Nagoya, Japan out of Saipan, where I stayed overnight and saw the sea aquarium there. Definately worth a visit. I have been through Narita airport more than I can count, and even jump seated to Guam from Narita on a packed DC-10. I was also in Okinawa in the late 1980's and stopped there on our way to Sasebo in 94-95. Japan is a wonderful neat place to visit. I highly recommend this on your list of travels. Yes, it is expensive over there, but you can get by. One thing I always wanted to do was climb mount FUJI. I will be back http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/thumbs.gif
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did you ever non-rev to Okinawa, Kadena AFB? We are trying to go 24 Jan, 08.
Not sure how to get the connection from SEA to OKA and what airlines work best.
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Never non-rev'd to Okinawa however, I know CMI flew there from GUAM on occassion for military charters. JAL out of NRT should be the prescription for that. The three times I went to Okinawa were via SHIPBOARD. Never on a plane.
