Island Reflections: USS Essex

I seem to be on a roll with blogging lately (well, for me at least...), so I'm going to keep my momentum and journey back in time to bring you photos from Josh's travels last year with the USS Essex. Here is a photo diary of January to May 2009 (as seen through the eyes of Mandi - i.e., these are the pictures in his folder on the computer that I thought were the coolest!)

We'll begin with a few official photos...

The USS Essex in the Gulf of Thailand

Josh and the USS Essex

A Navy helicopter resting while the Essex is docked in Okinawa, Japan

A hovercraft off the back off the Tortuga, one of the other ships in Josh's squadron. These are used to transport people from the ship to dry land. They literally hover over the water.

The regal looking entrance to one of the Thai Air Bases - Josh got to take a helicopter off of the Essex while it was at sea to go be diplomatic with Thai police.

Here end the official photos and begin the travel photos. When you're on a ship at sea you get to visit a lot of different places!

An atomic bomb monument in Nagasaki, Japan. The injured child in the woman's arms represents Japan on the day of the bombing and the woman represents the support of countries of the world as Japan rebuilt itself as a peaceful nation. (Good thing Josh thought to take a photo of the description of the monument!)

Another atomic bomb memorial in Nagasaki

Japanese peace cranes at another Nagasaki memorial. Look closely, each different color on every strand consists of 5-10 little origami cranes!

The bullet train to Kyoto (perhaps you remember my discussion of these speedy trains after Josh's and my recent trip to Kyoto...)

The Golden Temple - this photo inspired me to convince Josh to return to Kyoto with me. Kyoto (and especially this temple) is every bit as pretty in person as it looks in the pictures!

I'm not one to focus on food, but check out the snacks available at the Golden Temple...how often do you see Cup of Noodle vending machines??

Another striking temple framed by beautiful cherry blossoms

Moving on to Osaka, Japan...evidentally Osaka is known for its octopus balls. Josh says they taste about as good as they sound...

I'm also not one to focus on accommodations, but this is too unique to overlook - this was Josh's hotel room in Osaka!

Didn't get a good enough look? Here you go - that's the whole room. Or should I say capsule?

This is a cannon on Corregidor, a small island in the Philippines near Manila that played an important role in WWII

"I Shall Return" (General Douglas MacArthur) Any history buffs out there know the significance of this quote (which means I did not until Josh enlightened me!)