The ship was in port for a couple days so we were able to make some trips to the port and load our big bags and take some time to set up our rooms. It pays to get there early and claim the better bunk and storage spaces. I packed as light as possible, which made my loading easy, but my minimalism just left me open to lugging everyone else's baggage train on board. It's amazing how much crap some guys bring to the ship. I feel sorry for their roommates when it's time to find a spot for everything.

I had one last night flight to do before I could get on the ship, so I stepped on with our flight doc just before liberty expired. I didn't fly a jet to the ship, which kind of sucks, but it is nice to be settled ahead of time and not have to worry about landing and being lost for a day or two. I didn't sleep too well the first night, mainly because I'm getting over a cold.

We pulled out of port the following morning, and went right into some serious seas. A nearby typhoon made for 6-8 foot swells. The ship was rocking pretty significantly, drawers were banging open and walking around was a bit challenging. We actually had to come back towards shore, because the sea was too rough to recover the amphibious landing craft. Things settled out before too long when we headed out again. You can still feel the ships movement though. It's definitely not the ultra-smooth ride of a cruise ship where you can't even tell you are moving. There is no doubt you are on a ship in the ocean. A few people have gotten sick, but most people seem to be adapting well. To be honest, the only time it has bothered me is when I'm reading text on a computer screen - kind of like reading while driving.

The harriers flew on the evening after we pulled out. We didn't get everyone out, but it looks like the last few jets will make it out tomorrow. I took some nice pictures of the guys coming aboard.

The food is actually not too bad. It seems like they throw us a bone
(i.e. a good meal) every couple meals too keep everyone happy. The rest of my roommates have arrived, and the room is a little tight now with everyone's gear, but it is still very livable. So far it looks like I lucked out and am living with a good group of guys.

Several months ago I won an all-expenses paid cruise that travels all over the Pacific!  My departure date is soon approaching and I’m excited about all the fancy dining, day-spas, and luxurious staterooms I have read about.  I had never heard of USN (I believe it is pronounced ooh-sen) cruise lines, but the literature sounds great!

Actually, I dug a little deeper into the brochure and it seems like the ship above is not available.  Apparently I was bumped down to the next cruise liner in the fleet, the USS Essex…

I’m sure they will still have all of the first class accommodations and dining I have come to expect from cruise ships.  For those that want to know more about the USS Essex or the 31st MEU, you can click on the links.  You can even keep up on news of the two here (MEU) and here (Essex), but no promises on accuracy or timeliness of the news.

Speaking of news, I will most likely not be able to keep up with blog posts as much as I have been since my arrival in Japan.  Movement of a ship is always classified and there are always chances of combat operations on a MEU, so I won’t be ale to give specifics anyway.  Hopefully Shannon will be able to pass any major updates via our email correspondence.  Otherwise avid readers will just have to wait until I get back for photos and stories about all my sea and air adventures.

All in all, I’m mostly looking forward to getting on the boat.  I really need a change of scenery in regards to work and the sooner I get on, the sooner I get off, and the sooner I get to come home.  There’s something to be said about shared misery too.