Talofa! I have been taking days off from the blog but not from the job. After finishing South Point on March 6th, we sailed back to Tutuila. The Hi’ialakai Page on Facebook has interesting photos of mapping our Survey Tech did at South Point. In addition, there are dive photos from the scientists as well not only from the latest cruise but the ones before this. The morning of March 7th started with dive ops for half the day and afterwards we pulled into Pago Pago for a break. The break was for a day and a half as we docked around three in the afternoon. Today, March 8th, was no break for me as I started the day at six in the morning. I knew I was in for a long one because crew breaks are the best time for me to do my job.
The oddest repair I did today was replacing a corroded mount for the cell phone antenna. The ship sailed through a cyclone several weeks ago and with strong winds, I had figured the antenna would have blown down. It was one of those items that were on the list to be replaced but pushed back. During my daily checks I noticed it was tilting towards starboard side. Despite the strong winds we have in the open seas, the tilt remained the same. I climbed the main mast today to replace the mount. I got to the antenna and noticed there was no mount left! I barely tipped the antenna and it fell over. It was a miracle it stayed up there that long! The cell phone antenna is located in the same area as our Internet satellite antenna dome.
Two nights ago as I was readying to go to sleep, I received a call in reference to acquiring data from diving computers. This was new to me and with little information I manage to set up a desktop where the chamber personnel can retrieve information about dives from the wrist computers divers wear. So it was back to bed at midnight. They wound up not using the setup but it is there for future use.
Yesterday (March 7) after completing my shift, Doc and I went to McDonald’s for dinner and sat in the air conditioned room with a widescreen in the back showing NBA basketball (no interest since the Sonics move). We didn’t watch the game but had a good conversation as Doc and I always do. Same for tonight (March 8) as we went to Sadie’s by the Sea, the old Rainmaker Hotel, for dinner. Afterwards it was a walk back to the ship.
The Rainmaker Hotel is a special place for me. Today it is called “Sadie’s by the Sea” and is only half the size it was when I stayed there in 2002. When we were there over seven and a half years ago, it was decrypted then. It was rated the worst hotel in South Pacific by a tour pamphlet (do not recall which one it was) and you could tell that it was on its last leg. The remaining crew of NOAA Ship Townsend Cromwell’s final cruise canceled the reservations at the new Tradewinds Hotel and transferred it to the Rainmaker because it was closer to downtown. Cable TV were in limited rooms and the TV set in mine was a black and white vintage early 70’s 13”model with a coat hanger for an antenna. It was at Rainmakers that “L” and I spent our first days together and that is where it is special for me. The sections of the hotel where our room is now used by the new owners but it is distressing to see what could have been a “classic” hotel symbolic of the South Pacific appear as if it was placed in a war zone. I recall our last day in Pago Pago in 2002 before the seven of us went to the airport to fly home. I had just said goodbye to “L” and me and the crew were hungry for dinner. The restaurant looked closed so we asked the lone waitress what time they were open. She answered in a comedic fashion of “what time do you want to eat?” So we ate and being the only customers at the restaurant, it felt like we were at the creepy hotel in “The Shining” that Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) was overseeing during the winter season.
The ship will be leaving Pago Pago for Manuo’a Islands and then Swains. When we are finished with our dives at both locations, we return to Pago Pago in two weeks for about four days liberty. I think I will look up some old acquaintances of me and “L” to make the time go by quicker. Many of the crewmembers plan to fly over to Western Samoa and spend time there. I figure I will be going back there soon enough to get my stepson so I will wait. Plus, with most of the crew gone, that will be a good time finish tasks.
I bid you goodnight and Manuia-po from Pago Pago, American Samoa.
Favorite Rainmaker story. A friend of mine was checking in and the desk clerk asked her if she, "would like a cat in your room?"
ReplyDeleteBit of advice for Apia trip; Only bottled water of approved vintage. Aggie's breakfasts and dinners are still the best deal. They actually serve fresh fruits and vegetables. Try walking into a grocery store like Chan Mow in town. 3rd world.