INDIAN HONEY BEE

I know, not a good photo. Our driver standing behind me was freaking out. I explained to him, I have no fear of bees. I had four swarms during my 4H club days and both of my grandfathers were beekeepers. He was not impressed. He was impressed when he noticed me scratching the ears of every cow I encountered. That was a good indicator of my character. When I told him I wanted close up photos of a king cobra he replied, you crazy and you need to pet more cows. Have a good day. Cap Carl

INDIAN HONEY BEE

REGALLIA HOTEL

COMMUTING-MYSORE, INDIA

MY NEUROSURGEON

MYSORE REGGALIA HOTEL GARDNER

BEAUTIFY CNMI INTRODUCTION

ON THE ROAD TO MYSORE

WOCKHARDT HOSPITAL, BANGALORE

BANGALORE, INDIA

ONE OF SEVERAL INTERESTING WAYS OF COMMUTING IN BANGALORE.

SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT ORCHID DISPLAY 2/12/07

Spectacular orchid display, including the palms and the koi swimming in the pool. I asked an attendant watering the plantings, why are watering artificial plants? He looked at me and then replied, nothing here is artificial including me. We both had a good laugh. Everything in this display is picture perfect, typically Singaporian.

NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 2/11/07

SV PILOT - GLOUCESTER, MASS

SV PILOT - NEW BEDFORD, CONN

MV JUNE T - EAST BOUND - SOUTH CHINA SEA

SV CALIFORNIAN SHIPMATES

DECKHAND DAD & DAVID

SV CALIFORNIA - OFFSHORE MONTEREY

THE RANGER

MV JUNE T - WAKE ISLAND

CREATURES FROM THE SAIPAN LAGOON

LONG WAY FROM SAIPAN LAGOON

THE 3 YEAR STARFISH PROJECT

ONE OF ABOUT 15 OBSERVED TODAY

US NAVY BENCHMARK ELV 936 ft Anyone have an idea where it is located?

MITSUBISHU BETTY & ZERO ( ? )

A Pleasant Surprise

Mom Took The Photo

Saipan Wildlife

Past Weekend

Good afternoon. Many thanks to Thess and Movers and Cinta and her crew for showing up Saturday morning for the replant of about twenty palms washed out over the last four or five months. Sunset, Sunday evening, across from Century Travel, walking South, I and I should say we, replanted about 35 palms. A Grandmother, Mom and three daughters , ages 6, 8, 10, (Brilliant Star School) joined up with me, completing the replant about 8 oclock. Angelo is correct, planting trees is a great way to meet women.
Finishing the replanting, I then pointed out Venus and Mercury which started a new discussion. I find it interesting of the number of Koreans who know the constellations. On the sidewalk, using sand, we laid out the constellations and then looked upward to locate them. The 8 and 10 year old caught on really quick. As we were walking back to there car, I suggested we walk in the water. Mom had a fit when all three girls lifted there dresses up to there armpits. I thought it proper to not a photo, though it would have been a great one.
Speaking of photos, I offered my new S3 to Angelo to take photos. He did take photos, of his new main squeeze, then deleted all of them. Gee thanks, Angelo. He was impressed with the camera.
Almost forgot, Many thanks to the folks for cleaning up the two piles of trash across the street from Garapan Winchells. Again, an example of the power of a photo in the paper. I don't know the staus of the person that created the eyesore. More later, Cap Carl
PS-one of these days, a photo in the paper is going to come back and bite me on the butt. O well, no guts, no glory.

ACROSS BORDERS

Good evening. Yesterday, during a moment of mental clarity, I suddenly had the urge to plant a tree during my visit to Bangalore. At the time I did not understand the "why" of doing so. During our Blooger meeting at Java Joes, I mentioned my plans to Cinta. Due to the heartfelt warmth of her comments toward my intentions, I began to understand the reason. Is there a better way to impart the spirit of the BEAUTIFY CNMI movement than planting a tree, especially across borders? Most importantly, Cinta suggested adding the website to a plaque. WOW, I had not thought of that, what a great idea. So, I have a sugestion for those of us who have the opportunity to travel across borders, let's make an effort to leave something tangible behind, such as a tree. It will take a lot of effort. Another thought, in two weeks, I plan on extending the BEAUTIFY CNMI spirit four time zones to the West. At the first opportunity, I hope someone will extend the BEAUTIFY CNMI spirit two time zones East (Hawaii) , or six times zones to the US West Coast. How long will it take for the BEAUTIFY CNMI spirit to meet on the other side of the planet, where might this happen and which direction might the spirit go from there ? Gotta go, Regards, Cap Carl

Recurring Thought

Last Monday, went on a recon mission thru the valley west of Mount Tapochoa. I was noticeably paying great attention to the shape, structure, height of the different species of trees. The shape, color, texture of the leaves. The tall grass, the short grass, the different texture of the blades of grass, the different types of underbrush, the color, shapes of flowers, the different odors of vegetation and flowers. The denseness of the vegetation. The difference in topography of the valley, the cliffs, the zillion swiftlets flying overheard. The thought that came to me then and is still recurring, "this is the Garden of Eden". This makes no sense whatsoever, I am not a religious person. There are no snakes, no apples falling on my head, no one wearing fig leaves. I was not a flower child in the 60's and 70's, that rules out flashbacks due to drugs, I think? Should I start chewing betel nut? More later, probably. Cap Carl

Garapan Image

Good evening. An area of concern for me is the image the drainage channel parallel to the street on the South side of Garapan is having on tourist. For the past few months, as I have watched tourist on the sidewalk, it is interesting to see how many walk over to the ditch and take photos. I know they are taking photos of the fish because I ask them. (Yes, I know, I should hand out Managaha literature). I have also noticed individuals with dipnets catching fish and dropping them into a cooking pot. We all know how the muck looks and smells. I see no excuses for waiting on the settling basins and pump issues to be resolved, possibly years, before taking action on the ditch. Does anyone know if that section has been designed? If so, my suggestion is as follows, redesign the channel utilizing concrete decking to conceal the muck and odors that will always be there and to provide for addtional diagonal parking spaces (possibly 30 to 45 spaces) which we all know is needed for Garapan shoppers and employees. The need for the removeable decking is to facilitate periodic cleanout of the muck that will continue to accumulate. Every 11th parking space will be landscaped as well as the DFS side of the parking spaces. DFS personnel should be consulted as to there future developement of the property, however, the "property to be developed someday" should not be an excuse for us to do nothing now. This is not rocket scientist work, just generic civil engineering. Well, maybe a little of "thinking out of the box" is required regarding the removeable decking. Your comments please, as you all know, I do have an open mind to other thoughts. Have a good evening. Cap Carl

Corregidor

Trash

Have any of you noticed the restaurant trash accumulating in the tree line across the street from Garapan Winchells? I noticed the situation and the cause last Thanksgiving weekend and for the next few weeks made phone calls to government agencies that I thought would have an interest in removing the trash and more importantly the cause of the mess. This past week another pile started accumulating behind the white panel fence about 100 feet south of the corner. The cause of this mess is a homeless person taking trash bags from dumpsters all the way from AMP, south through Garapan, to the Century Travel Agency office. The restaurant managers I talked with this weekend are aware of the individual involved, however, were not aware of the trash acumulation. My suggestion to them is to install padlock on the dumpsters, at least it won't be their trash appearing within the sight of tourist and residents. Alexie, from the Variety, took photos which might appear in the paper next week. I have not brought this issue to the attention of the Beautify CNMI group because I feel this type of issue is not a volunteer group responsibility, though I know they would clean up the mess. A homeless person and his trash is a governmental responsibility, not a volunteer group. Have a good evening. Cap Carl

White Thunderbird.

Remember the old model white Thunderbird sitting on the Beach Road right of way across from the Thirteen Fishermans Memorial for the last three years? It is no longer in sight and the grass under the car has been mowed. Many thanks to who ever is responsible for getting rid of an eyesore. Through the mayor's office for the last two years I have attempted to have it towed, the last request about 6 months ago. Three cheers for the person who got the job done. Regards, Cap Carl

Ranger

Greetings. Bought the pickup! Most importantly, I have no remorse with the decision. The price of $5,300 was fair, the vehicle met my specifications and I liked the color the first time I looked at it. My friend Dhag, a manager at Pizza Hut, said the color was the same as the color of orange on the A & W Root Beer logo. Hmmmmmm, maybe, however, let's call it metallic copper, which I believe has a more sophicticated ring to it.
I do need to pay attention to my driving. Having driven front wheel drive vehicles for 12 years, I learned very quickly how a p/u with little weight in back handles on a wet blacktop on a downhill curve. Due to quick reflexes I recovered very nicely, I might add.
Again, for the first time in 12 years, I have a radio with a decent sound system. I have found it annoying and have not turned it on for the last 3 or 4 days. Everything considered, I am quite happy with my decision. Have a good afternoon. Cap Carl

A Change

Good evening. Over the last couple of months, I have noticed a change taking place, a major change in my thinking to be specific. Compared to six months ago, quite possibly a 180 degree turn to a much more healthly frame of mind. Over the last couple of months, I am making plans for a trip to the US next September, I have ordered a digital camera that I wanted four years ago and this weekend, I am making a deal on my first ever pickup truck, a low mileage, V6, 4WD, extended cab, Ford Splash, IF, (and a really big IF), the price is right. And, after my trip to Bangalore I will be pain free. Year 2007 is starting out pretty darn good, even if I must say so myself. A big contributor to this metamorphosis is the individual who carries a Jamaican rag when trekking. Many thanks to you my friend. Regards, Cap Carl

PauPau Project

Good news. The repair of the road culvert in the PauPau parking lot started about ten days ago. Wow, the power of a photo on the front page of a newspaper. Thank you Alexie. The new challenge is to encourage the proper agencies to eliminate the reason for the culvert to washing out in the first place. More later. Have a good day, Cap Carl

Paradise

Spelunking & turtle watching