Even as much as I was enchanted by my first ocean voyage I was restless. My parents finally allowed me to explore the ship provided I stayed on the upper deck. So much to see and take in. Of course I checked out all the rest rooms. Never know when such knowledge might come in handy. I saw my first flying fish. I was amazed that the fish actually could shoot up out of the ocean and glide though the air for quite a distance before disappearing back into the ocean. I also watch some strange looking fish jump and play in the wave created by the bow of the ship as it cut through water. I was later to learn that these fish were Dolphins and  regular escorts.

For some reason I wound up stopping to look into the radio room. The wireless operator was a nice fellow with a British accent. He let me listen to the shipping traffic on the short wave radio. It was all in Morse code so I didn't understand but I was very impressed none the less. Little did I suspect that those few minutes would later play a role in my future life.

I was pulled back into reality by the public address system when the it announced that Catalina Island was visible off the bow of the ship. Sure enough, there on the horizon was a small spot of land. Not yet close enough to really see anything definite but there never the less. It seemed to glow and sparkle as we drew closer. Truly a jewel in a sea of glass.