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Nimitz Sailors Experience Port Visit to Jebel Ali, Dubai

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030519-30

Release Date: 5/19/2003 4:09:00 PM

By Journalist Seaman Michael Douglas, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

ABOARD USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Sailors took advantage of fun, relaxation and cultural exchange during a port call in Jebel Ali and Dubai May 8-13. The cities are located in one of seven emirates that make up the the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

During the in port period, Nimitz' Morale Welfare and Recreation offered a variety of venues for Sailors to relax and have fun, including trips to a local water park, area golf tournaments, desert safaris and various city tours.

"We went four-wheeling in Toyota Land Cruisers in the sand dunes," said Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class (SW) Samantha Story, a Shipboard Information, Training and Entertainment technician who went on the MWR "Sunset Safari."

"It was awesome," said Story. "We went to an oasis where they had tents set up where you could smoke a Hookah (a smoking pipe having a long tube passing through an urn of water that cools the smoke as it is drawn through). They also had an Arabian barbecue for us. They had all sorts of food. I couldn't even tell you what it was, but it was really good."

Some Sailors enjoyed the shopping opportunities Dubai had to offer. According to Airman Eric Dumas, sprinkler technician for G2 Weapons Department, he was amazed at some of the jewelry he was able to find while in Dubai. "I saw king's crowns, queen's diamonds. It was beautiful," said Dumas.

Personnelman 3rd Class Mollie Mervenne, extensions and reenlistments clerk for the Personnel Office, took time to go to the local Wild Wadi Water Park and cool off.

"It was a lot of fun," said Mervenne. "There are a bunch of different things to do there. It was nice to get a break from the heat and enjoy myself."

Story said she also enjoyed relaxing at the same water park. "They had a wave pool and a river where you could just relax and float along," said Story. "There were inner tube rides where you would get on the inner tube, hold on, and they had jets of water that would shoot you along."

Nimitz's visit to Jebel Ali and Dubai provided some much-needed rest for the ship's crew, as well as a chance to experience a foreign culture first hand.

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is currently conducting operations in the Arabian Gulf.