HMAS ARARAT Vist No 1

As part of Australia's committment to the Pacific HMAS ARARAT recently conducted a port visit to Pohnpei to wave the flag. The crew had a great time and got out and saw quite a bit of what the place has to offer. They were glad to be on dry land after being in six metre seas for the previous three days.

First night in the boat had a 'cocktail party'. Any excuse to have a few free beers, wines and bourbons. Nic and I weren't going to miss out. This is Nic and Scott along with two of the three COs from the Micronesian Patrol Boats.

Nic and Heather (wife of the CPO MT here on Pohnpei) before it got messy.

Ceremonial Sunset. A ceremonial lowering of the flag and discharging of rifles.

We had organised the local band to play at the most popular bar on Pohnpei. They normally only play about once every three months so the sailors were lucky that it could be arranged for them. The publican said it was the biggest weekends takings since he opened the bar 15 years ago......

On the Sunday we opened up our compound for the crew to come for a swim and have a bbq. Jaxon and Indi were big hits and kept every one on their toes.