Ben Abroad: July 2012

Blog 20

A monument in Artenara

Our Pensione in Santa Cruz

View from the campsite

The past 9 days were spent enjoying the company of my dad, Graham, in the Canary Islands. I was granted 9 days as time-off and began these after working last Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday I met my tearful father at Gran Canaria Airport. Dad had just completed the Camino de Santiago, walking 400km of the twelve hundred year old pilgrimage and would holiday with me before fetching Anna from London- she has spent the last 3 months in Wales with my aunt and uncle.

Other than the first two nights camping, dad and I had no plans. Even the plans we did have were thwarted. Camping was a 12km walk from a remote town called Artenara. The bus route-hitch hiking was unsuccessful- there was so infrequent that we only arrived after 8 at night. We were told that there was not one hotel in the town but a peculiar man moved about his tools and charged us to sleep in his spare single mattress room. Dad was slightly cautious but we accepted since we had no other options. Dad had had little sleep the previous evening and we both slept surprisingly well.

We bought coffee and supplies for lunch and began our walk. It was very pleasant under the pines of the meandering mountain road. It was a battle at the campsite to even use the 2 man hammock that we had with us. That night, the wind picked up and it was a very disturbed sleep- we wished for the single mattress of the previous night! Sleeping two people in a hammock is no easy task.

We speedily descended a steep dusty mountain path the next day to find no coffee shops in the town. We snacked and caught a bus to a larger town where we made great use of our 15mins on the internet, booking a hotel for the next three nights in the south of Las Palmas. We arrived at what dad called “time share deluxe” but had a great room- close to the pool, kitchenette and aircon. While in Maspalomas we sought an elusive KFC, swam, cooked and walked a fair amount.

On Monday we caught the Armas Ferry from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, to Santa Cruz, Tenerife. We had secured a car for the next three days but had to get to the south of the island to collect it. We hired a cute Fiat Panda which dad drove to Las Americas, remembering to stay on the right hand side. We rented a room that was in a complex highly populated with loud young Britons. They warned us about the night security man but we didn’t think he would have issue with us. Well at 2 am we were rudely awoken when the man came in with his torch shouting ‘NO’, ‘WATER’ and ‘BALCONY’. We tried to tell him he was mistaken but he yelled for us to keep quiet and then left. 2 minutes later he was at the door like a dog with his tail between his legs, apologizing.

After shopping and searching for another misreported KFC, we travelled north along the island’s west coast. We arrived at a quaint coastal town of Puerto de Santiago which had a fair in town that night. We dozed and swam on a beach with black sands and that night we could see the fire on the mountain which was becoming an increasing problem for the island of Tenerife.

We had booked to go up Mount Teide in the cable car the following day and then spend that night in the Refugio up top. The plan was to see the sun set and rise from Spain’s highest mountain. The mountain is in fact a volcano. After shopping for our curry dinner we planned to create, we arrived at the cable station where our view of the volcano was largely impaired by the smoke from the fire. Upon arriving we were informed that due to the fire the cars were not running for the rest of the day and perhaps longer. We were really annoyed particularly since we had asked to receive an SMS should there be any reason the cars don’t make the 1200m accent. We decided to follow a suggestion of going to a beach town we had not visited in the south of the island, seeing as we would have to return the car there the following morning. The drive should not have been more than an hour but once on the road we were prevented from going further due to the fire and had to go north, through the capital and then south again, taking about 2,5 hours. The town was worth it though and we had a delicious Rogan Josh with chips at a seaside restaurant. Unfortunately we couldn’t cook in the apartment.

After returning the car we returned to Santa Cruz by bus, found a beautiful old pensione with a balcony and high ceilings and began preparing dad’s bags for his flight the next day. After a shwarma lunch and semi siesta we walked to the port in time to see Africa Mercy returning from dry dock in Las Palmas. She left two days later than planned leaving dad and me anxious since he had some things in my cabin. Dad came aboard as my guest and we had dinner, a tour of the ship and even the engine room! So fortunate! After that we had Thursday night ice cream and dad met some of my friends on the ship and then it was time to leave.

Yesterday we went out for lunch with friends before saying goodbye to dad at the tram station. He has arrived safely in London.

I am so lucky to have such a father and to have had a holiday alone with him.

Thankfully I am off this weekend and I may get on with chores such as cleaning and emailing. Hopefully work will be in the galley once again when return on Monday.

I hope to get some more photos from dad and upload them soon.

As for prayers, could you please pray for peace and clarity over the uncertainty of what 2013 holds for me.

The keeping our bags off the ground, while we still agreed the hammock was fun and convenient!

Arriving at the dock at the same time as AM, the gangway was yet to be put down.

We were very fortunate and were offered a tour of the engine room!

Dads expression was appropriate.

Peurto de Santiago with daddy

Before leaving for our trip.

Thanks for reading!

Love Benjamin

Hi loved ones,

After one week in Santa Cruz we sailed for a few rocky hours early on Monday morning for the island east of Tenerife, Gran Canaria. We arrived in the city of Las Palmas around lunch and that afternoon proceeded to be lifted out of the water and pulled by three earth movers into our spot for repairs. Please give thanks to the Lord for a safe voyage to Tenerife, safe entry into the Las Palmas dry dock and the smoothness with which operations aboard are occurring.

That evening I went out with two friends, Elbert and Manon. We walked for about 25 minutes before reaching the city central. We then took a bus- after many minutes and confusion- and went in search of a few groceries. I bought yoghurt after investigating the main street and noting that it lacked KFC.

The week in Tenerife was wonderful! I will not explain day by day what I did but I went to some interesting restaurants, shops and areas by running and tram. I met a wonderful Indian man who, unlike all the large supermarkets, sold sushi rice and nori (seaweed sheets). I have been searching for these two ingredients to make my own sushi and finally I found them.

I went to the renowned Meter Bar where sangria, beer, pizzas and sausages are served by the meter- a novel concept and perfect venue for friends’ farewells. Last week many friends went home or on holiday. Juan, a good friend and long term crew member, has allowed me to cabin sit for him. I now have a single berth to myself for over a month! And plants to water, fish to feed.

I watched the semifinal and final of the Euro Cup of in town, both of which Spain won. The celebrations were largely humorous including swimming in a large public fountain that, by day, looked most undesirable. I don’t imagine though that these celebrations were comparable with those on the Spanish mainland.

While in Tenerife I managed to receive a camping permit for my dad and me to go camping when he arrives on Wednesday. We don't have any concrete plans and I am not even sure where the ship will be when he leaves! That depends on how long we will remain in ship yard- once finished we will return to Tenerife for further repairs which are not as intensive as those we are undergoing here in Las Palmas.

On Wednesday I worked for the first time as galley team leader and will be until next month. The galley has been relocated to the far inferior crew galley. This is because the galley is undergoing some large repairs and replacements. So at least until the end of dry dock we will be cooking out of the room far smaller than the galley we are used to. Please pray for me to lead and manage the constraints well and to create good food. The first meal I had to cook was simple BBQ chicken- the ribs that were on the menu had gone off due to the intermittent power the previous two days. The next night was turkey breasts. For lunch we are serving a variety of delicious salads.

While in the Canary Islands we are blessed with a large variation of quality fruit and vegetables. I have had fresh figs, grapefruit, plums and apricots this week. I was satisfied with the fruit from West Africa but am now having a bit more luxury in that regard.

Yesterday evening four friends and I made sushi and then set off for the beautiful beach 3kms away. It drizzled as we walked but once there enjoying the sushi we had some spectacular views of the sun set.

I wish to thank the Lord for some clarity regarding next year. Although I am still unsure of where I will be studying what, the Lord has closed one door for me. May I ask that you please pray for encouragement and further clarity.

I would also like to once again thank the Lord and those who have directed funding to my crew account. I am well looked after and incredibly blessed to have people like you in my life (some of you I am unaware of due to anonymity).

Lastly, I am glad to inform you that my eczema has gone! Praise the Lord!

Thank you for reading this. I will blog again once I return from my time away with my dad!

Love Benjamin