The USS Peleliu, Naval amphibious ship LHA-5, leaves port in San Diego for a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf region. Aboard are the Marines and sailors of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, including first lieutenants Nancy Olson and Lori Kelley.

Journal by Nancy Olson, photo courtesey of COMPHIBRON 1.

As we neared the port, we could see a mountain of bright=orange steel capped with snowy white. On the side, giant white letters, all caps, spelled out “WALENIUS WILHELMSEN” down her entire length. This don’t-shoot-me-‘cause-I’m-not-a-deer orange vessel was both beautiful and shocking to a girl whose ship experience has consisted entirely of gray war machines.

We climbed aboard, and we were met at the top of the ladder by a security crewmember in a blue jumpsuit standing behind a podium. On our way up the ladder, I had been instinctively looking for an American flag to salute, but I found none, because, duh, this is a Norwegian vessel. I asked him for permission to come aboard, and it was granted. I felt a sharp stab of longing for times I spent aboard the amphibious ship USS Pelelieu, LHA 5, as a young Marine Corps captain. I remember the evening we boarded her in port in San Diego. My best friend, Lori, and I saluted the ensign (the American flag on the ship’s stern), and then we saluted the sailor on duty standing behind his podium and requested permission to come aboard. It was granted. That night, we were setting sail for six months. Today, the crew of Drive Around the World was setting sail for six days.

We drove our four Certified Land Rover Discovery expedition vehicles up a large metal ramp astern and inside the bowels of the ship, like Marines loading their precious Humvees and 5-Tons into the Peleliu for deployment to the Persian Gulf. We had washed most of Australia’s muddy Gunbarrel Highway off of the vehicles, and they were ready for Singapore.

Wow, was this ship clean! You could just about eat off of the deck plates! We grabbed our gear and headed for the water-tight door that would lead us inside. Our berths were about five decks up, and I envisioned having to haul our gear up several sets of metal ladders. To my surprise and, admittedly, relief, we bypassed the stairs and walked straight into a little elevator. With the push of a button, we were lifted to the top. I felt like an Admiral or a General, but I guess even they don’t ride elevators aboard ship. So, I guess I felt like a ship’s hospital patient…no, that’s not right, either. I felt like a queen.

Upstairs, we were led through the passageway by the captain, who showed us to our staterooms. That’s right, I said staterooms! Woo-whoooo! We’d be riding in style! I never would have imagined that we’d all have our own rooms with comfortable little beds, including linen, a desk, and, most astonishingly, a shower and toilet! No walking way down the passageway in the middle of the night to use the shared toilets!

In true Nancy fashion, I was asleep when we pulled out of port. In the morning, I was delighted to awake to the gentle rocking of the ship at sea. We were underway of the coast of Australia, in the Indian Ocean. Awesome!

Like it was on the USS Peleliu, the ship aboard the M/V Tarago is deee-licious! We were treated to three incredible squares a day, and the Indian chef, Hirohito, makes the most incredible curry dishes outside of India! It’s a good thing this cruise is only six days, or we’d all get fat! Of course, like the Peleliu, this ship has a gym.

Occasionally, aboard the Peleliu, we would have the opportunity to go topside to the helicopter/Harrier deck to run, lay out, cook hamburgers, etc. During these times, the ship’s “flattop” was referred to as “Steel Beach”, and Steel Beach picnics were the best! The only thing that could have made them better was a swimming pool, and, you guessed it, the Tarago has a pool! The crew filled the pool for us by pumping it up from the Indian Ocean, and we swam and giggled in this delicious pool during a break from our work.

The Tarago's pool.
[Photo by Neil Dana]

We’re looking forward to enjoying the rest of our “Carnival Cruise” here aboard the Tarago, and I think we’ll be sad to disembark. We sure are thankful to Walenius Wilhelmsen and the Captain and crew for welcoming us aboard. The Tarago lacks the ambiance of a U.S. Amphibious ship, but it’ll do just fine!

Logbook for May 20th, Day 202
Start: Indian Ocean
Time: N/A
S: N/A
E: N/A
Finish Indian Ocean
Time: N/A
S: N/A
E: N/A
Mileage: 000
Notes: We have our sea legs, and we’re loving the voyage

(N.O.)

Help support our cause: The LONGITUDE Expedition is the longest journey ever attempted with a focus on Parkinson's Disease. The Drive Around the World team aims to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease research by driving four certified pre-owned Land Rover Discoverys around the globe following lines of longitude. Readers are encouraged to pledge small amounts of money per expedition-kilometer via a pledge form that can be found on our Parkinson’s page by clicking here. 100% of donations received go directly to Parkinson's research and all who donate $10 or more will be entered into a raffle to win an expedition-equipped Land Rover Discovery.