*Chapter 1*

We were only allowed deep sea anchorage in foreign ports. Boilers always kept ready for underway.

It was a twenty to thirty minute ferry ride from ship to shore. As big as she was, she looked like an undefinable dot on the horizon.

My favorite view of her...
From the beach.

It was my second time in as many years to grace this jewel. Such a beautiful place, this.

Having been here before and remembering the mistakes of my first visit, the first order of business is suitable shelter. I remember the name of the resort that I visited some of the guys from the shop on my first trip here. That was going to be our first stop. We got there in time to get a two bedroom cottage for seven days. From the balcony I could see the dot on the horizon. I was good with just staying here at the cottage.
I had taken leave and I wasn't in the watch rotation. All I wanted now was shop for food. Cook. And look at the dot on the horizon and enjoy my time here down under.

It was Chico's first trip to Australia. I had introduced him via mail to Marcello. So of course he wanted to drag me around for his personal tour guide. I agreed to hang out with him until he and Marcello had formally met. Knowing that he would be well taken care of from that point. I met Marcello on my first trip. She was Susan's wild ass room mate. A perfect match for Chico's wild ass. Marcello was from some Indonesian country, I can't remember.

Susan? She was my girl. We had had such a great time last year. Her mum had died and she had moved back to England. I wished things hadn't turned out like that. But what can you do?

After I had shopped for my groceries. Chico and I got dressed and headed into town to take in the sights. As the Fleet was in, everything seemed geared to attracting the Sailors. Clubs and bars were open early to cash in. We'd hang out for a while then hook up with Marcello a little later.

We found a spot that wasn't totally overflowing and went in. Chico was full of excitement. Like a kid in a big ol candy store with a pocket full of money and no one to say no. I must admit that I too was starting to get excited! My thoughts of just hanging around the cottage were as far off as the ship was at this point! I bellied up to the bar and amused myself watching Chico go crazy. It was difficult not to go crazy in such an atmosphere.

Not long after getting there I saw the most beautiful woman that I had ever seen. Her eyes as clear and blue as shallow harbor. Her hair sparkling in the light from the dance floor. Which seemed to hold her interest. Each time that I would tire from looking for Chico and glance her way she was scanning the dance floor.

Chico finally found his way back over to where I was sitting, I pointed her out to him. I excused myself to the dunny or restroom for non Aussie blokes.

Not to my surprise, when I got back, she was sitting in the seat at the bar that I had been in. So I pulled up in the next open seat. To my surprise, when Chico introduced me to her, as I reached out to shake her hand she grabbed mine and pulled me out unto the dance floor. This truly was a surprise to me. Chico was the "Lady's Man", and here this beautiful creature was dancing with the likes of me. Totally unbelievable!

We danced a few songs as I made a futile attempt to keep up with Chico. As he'd said earlier this was a target rich environment. Actually he said " So many targets! So little time!". Speaking of time. How long had we been here? I glanced at my watch and it was way later than I could have imagined. When I finally got eyes on Chico, I dragged my newfound dance partner from the floor. Telling her of our previous commitment.

She kissed me on the cheek and whispered in my ear that she wished that I wasn't in such a rush. She tells me that she'll be at Beethoven's Night Club and proceeds to give me directions. I stop her by telling her that I knew exactly where Beethoven's was. Alright then she replied, I'll see you there and plants a big kiss on my lips. "Wait a minute", I scuffed, " I said that I knew where it is, I didn't say that I'd be there. But if I do come and I find you, you'll owe me another dance." She pulled in close. "If I see you at Beethoven's, you can get whatever you want. I'll be looking for you". Then she kissed me again and headed out.

The way I snatched Chico up, you would have thought that he was a child of mine in dire need of discipline. We were heading to Beethoven's. At least I was. That's all that there was to that. Chico was supposed to be meeting Marcello so I asked him when and where. He took a crinkled letter from his pocket, opened it, then said damn I'm late! I was to have met her thirty minutes ago at some place called Beethoven's Night Club. What a coincidence. It was just a short walk from where we were.

There was so much activity on the streets of Perth that night. I'm sure that this was not your every Monday night traffic. The player in Chico wouldn't let him stop flirting with every skirt that shook by him. Me, I just wanted to get get to the most beautiful woman that I had ever seen in my life to that point. We turned the corner and there it was Beethoven's. There was a line already but we had made it and the line was moving.

I just hoped that I would see her.

Second Time Down Under©
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