Liberty at Guantanamo

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We got liberty at Guantanamo on two occasions - the first during the big refueling and resupply stop we made, where we were allowed off the ship for about 6 hours one day and 4 hours the next. We stopped at Guantanamo again on the way to a liberty port in Puerto Rico and were allowed off for another 2 plus hours.

The base has about 10,000 people, and many amenities. We were allowed to go to the Navy Exchange and Commissary (combination grocery and department store), which was very lucky because my trusty camera that had been to Pakistan and back gave up the ghost 2 days before liberty. I was able to purchase a new one.

While they don't allow the taking of photographs, I did take a picture of me near the base sign, and had the incredible luck of finding not one, but two iguanas and getting their picture. That evening, I went out on the landing deck at sunset and got some amazing photos. The stars were incredible, with the Milky Way extending like a rainbow from one horizon across the center of the sky to the other. Without the light pollution of civilization, there is a lot more to the universe than we are used to seeing.

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Photos

Pair of iguanas at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station
My best photo so far!

Sunset on the Kearsarge
From the flight deck while traveling from Cuba to Puerto Rico

With some of the volunteers
At sunset on the flight deck

Cloud formation that looks like another ship
Seen from the Kearsarge flight deck at sunset

Comments

[Ruthie]

amazing
The pics are amazing! you look wonderful and what an adventure for you. Stay healthy and in touch. love Ruthie