Sunrise from the "Land of the Rising Sun"...

I've seen some pretty amazing sunrises and sunsets while out at sea (although that sometimes means being up at 0500 in order to catch them), so I thought I'd share a couple of the more brilliant ones from the past week.

Enjoy... Again, check back later this week for "lab" photos...

Southern Japan....

After being at sea for over a month without a port visit, they are now coming at a fast and furious pace. This weekend we ported in Sasebo, Japan. It is a quaint little seaside city which is very much a rural area. It's rolling hills and green landscape was a welcome sight after so much vast blue, and after the most recent fast-paced culture of Hong Kong.

I had some great sushi and hibachi grille while in port, and of course I took plenty of photos... 2800 so far on this trip (I've deleted a "few" over the course of time).

Attached you will find photos of our anchorage and the small city shopping area. I equate Sasebo to Dubuque, IA and the small town just outside (Sailor Town) to Platteville. It was an interesting visit to say the least...

Check back later this week for CSI photos from some forensic training that I'm giving to the sailors and Marines onboard.

More from Hong Kong

My port visit to Hong Kong also included some training time with the Hong Kong Police, and a visit to the High Court (comparable to our Supreme Court). It was interesting to be able to sit in and view a trial... although no photos were allowed.

Checking in from the Far East

It's been a bit since I have been able to post for connectivity reasons. I suppose that is to be expected while traversing the expansiveness of the Pacific Ocean....

After 32 days at sea we finally dropped anchor and I was able to set foot on dry, non-moving land (although it seemed to continue to move to me!). Our port visit was to Hong Kong. It was extremely interesting and a photographer's dream. The attached photo was taken from Victoria Peak, overlooking the downtown skyline. To the left of center you may be able to make out the tallest building (for the moment) in Hong Kong. It was also the site of Batman's aerial extraction in the "Dark Knight".... a movie near and dear to my heart. So, it was pretty interesting to see.

In addition to "touristy" stops and observations, I also visited the "High Court" (similar to our Supreme Court) and watched a trial in process, visited with and assisted the Hong Kong Police with some training, and made a stop off at Hong Kong Disney Land (I've now visited all of the Disney properties... a family related life goal).

The other photo is of the world's largest bronze Buddha. It is located on the same island as Disney, although I found it to be quite a bit more interesting and cultural....

Overall, it was great to get off the ship for a bit, stretch my legs (walked 9 miles one day, and 12 the next... who needs a taxi?!?!), and sleep in a hotel with a shower that doesn't move. I have had Hong Kong on my list of "must visit" in life for some time, and now it is on my "must return" list.

Two more stops (port visits) and then I'll be back to the Lab. Only 3 more short weeks.... Although I am very much enjoying myself, I'm anxious to return to UW-P.

Enjoy the photos....

Viewing the inaugaration from a US warship...

It was quite interesting to be aboard a U.S. warship, steaming (not true in fact, it is nuclear powered) west across the Pacific and witness the inaugaration of the next Commander in Chief.

A slight departure from the norm....

Greetings from the Western Pacific!

This semester is a departure from the usual around the forensic lab. I was given the opportunity to assist the US Navy with some training aboard an aircraft carrier in the Western Pacific, so the students back at UW-P are undertaking the first portion of the semester's forensic investigation courses in an online format. It is a challenging experience for all involved, to say the least.

Life aboard the carrier is amazingly interesting, although I believe that "Top Gun" fails to capture the true nature of carrier life. It isn’t easy to take a shower in a room that moves, or sleep in a rack where catapaults are launching aircraft 30 feet from my head at all hours of the day, or to teach in a room which is NEVER level and always moving... I pretty much spend 6 hours a day teaching, 2 hours a day exercising, 2 hours a day eating, 6-7 hours a day sleeping, 2-3 hours a day watching air operations or daydreaming about absolutely nothing, 2 hours a day reading, 2 hours a day prepping for the next day’s courses, and 1 hour getting to and from all of the aforementioned.

While i'm having an absolutely amazing time, it is a lot like prison. In fact, I could pretty much equate my current situation to a maximum security prison. First of all, it's a lot like Alcatraz as far as escapability goes. Common heads (bathrooms). Common rack space (although I have officer's berthing so I have a stateroom and "only have to share" with 3 others. Lines for chow. Lines for shore phones. Exercise and gyms to fight boredom. Work groups and duty stations to feel "vested" in ship operations. Community service actions (penpals, etc.) to feel a "part of" society. 3 hots and a cot. Although, as I said before, I am growing somewhat accustomed and comfortable with the settings… I believe this is what some consider "institutionalization". But seriously, it is an incredible experience which I am proud to be a part of.

I’ve taken over 3000 photos and I’m sure that’ll only double and triple with the next three port visits. Until next time...

Lest anyone should think that students forget their parents when they go away to school...