Many people have asked me if I travel with the ship. The answer, fortunately for my sea legs, is an emphatic NO!.
The ship usually stays in one place from January to November each year. In December it goes to the Canary Islands to provide R&R for the long term crew and allow any maintenance.
Volunteers fly out to the nearest airport, get picked up by a nice man in a big white jeep and then live on board, whilst the ship stays moored to the quayside. Benin, formally French West Africa, has strong links with France so is French speaking and my flights go through Paris.
If you are interested, would like to check up on, or pray for my flights, here's the details.Outward
Newcastle to Paris to Cotonou: February 20th 2009
Return
Cotonou to Paris: March 8th 2009
Paris to Newcastle: March 9th 2009