James Baillie diary, 11 February 1915 - 18 February 1916 - Page 8

[Page 3]

(Sunday 21st)
Got up early Choon went to an anchorage at 6 AM and Bee hove up and went alongsid of wharf after breakfast all hands got ready and went ashore till 8 pm Well we ha a good time Mac Jack Darkey and myself went in for dinner to a Japanese restuarent and had roast fowl and beef vegetables and desert at 2/6 ahead not too high for they gave us plenty. The population consists mainly of Japanese Eutropean and Blacks. The head of the town got a black
boy to go up cocoa nut trees for nuts and we eat and drank the milk till we could not get anymore down. Next we visisted the hospital and then went around the island. Saw some sugar cane and thought we would like some so I volunteered to pinch it but got onto a hornets nest when I was cutting it and got stung in the arm. That was enough for me So we proceeded on our way We next visited some gardens and then went to the Artillary barracks they were very nice to us there The Garrison were compulsory body from Queensland. We then went back to the town and visited all the most popular places there including a church which had relics of a shipwreck that happened somewhere near here We meet some very nice people here and they tried to make us all at home even the Japanese Just for a few drunks knocking around every one was well pleased for their holiday ashore well its time to go aboard now So am going to get some cocoanuts to take on board. We are leaving here tomorrow morning so will see the last port in Australia for a while. Am going to bed now good night.
(Monday 22nd)
Left the wharf at 7 am with lots of cheering and proceeded to sea Dropped pilot at 8 am and proceeded West Passed a light house. Left all land behind this is the first time we have been out sight of land since we left Sydney. Sea very calm.
(Tuesday 23rd)
No land in sight Duty day for 13th battalion Sea calm and a beutiful night with a cool breeze.