Tahiti in the early 60's

[Alan Briggs]

Remember Quinns well opposite the wharf, very basic layout but great atmosphere, the unisex toilets were something new at that time.

[Ken Atkinson]

If you like onion beer, I remember tasting it (once) standing at a street kiosk in the sunshine of Batumi in Black Sea Georgia. Bottles of sparkling wine were preferred.

[Bruce Morris]

My experience of calling at Papeete on the gas tanker HUMBOLDT/GYFR as R/O on 5th August 1968 while on passage from the Panama Canal to Port Kembla NSW was very different to the lurid tales told by others!

We arrived at dawn to take bunkers and stores - a couple of hours at most.

However, the wonderful Captain Woolcott decided to collude with the Chief Engineer Mitchell over some fictitious engine repairs so that we could spend the day in the beautiful surroundings.

Thus we filled a lifeboat with sandwiches and crates of cold beers and half the Officers and Crew set off around the then totally unspoilt bay to relax, have fun and swim.

Back to the ship at lunchtime to refill the boat with (mainly liquid) provisions for the other half of the complement to have its turn.

As R/O with no duties in port - I enjoyed both sessions to the full!

As sunset approached, the Harbour Master was jumping up and down with typical Gallic gestures for us to leave.

Thus it was that we were still hoisting the lifeboat back aboard as the lines were casting off.

No visit to Quinns Bar or onion beer but one of the most memorable days of my time in the MN.

Enhanced by the sunset turning the sea and sky into one glorious golden colour with the island of Moorea and its jagged peaks perfectly silhouetted in black.

Nearly 60 years later I can still recall every detail!

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