Ternate

I checked the manifest and Vanessa and I muster in the CASREC at 1330 for helo transport to our MEDCAPS site for our 7 day tour of duty. In civilian talk that means we take the helicopter to the site where we will be staying and seeing patients for the next week. Very excited about this although we will have no showers or flush toilets, will be eating MREs (food in foil packs that have more than a 10 year shelf life), and will be sleeping in small popups that they call the ‘easy bake ovens’. That’s what I came here for so now I am going to get it.
First though the snorkeling trip on Friday was awesome. Fantastic coral, much better than the Keys. Also just nice to be off the ship. We got fried bananas, fresh coconut milk, and fresh roasted peanuts. The bananas were better than any plantains I’ve had in Miami and that is something. We also got a local to take his boat back to the main town and get us some local food. I got a fish (head still on), rice, and hot sauce. It was great despite my aversion to fish eyes.
Arrived Ternate this am and just looked out as the sun is now up. Fantastic cone shaped island. Very dramatic. Maybe pictures next week when I am back on the ship.