Our school had already successfully organised two expeditions to Bolivia. We felt it was time for a change!

The Soren Larsen is a two masted barquentine that, in recent years, has sailed all over the globe. She is also well known for her appearances in 'The Onedin Line' and 'The French Lieutenant's Woman'. She has a permanent crew of 12 and also has a 'voyage' crew of 22.

It was proposed that in August 2002 two groups of students (19 on each trip) would spend three weeks sailing - in the first instance - between Tonga and Fiji and from Fiji to Vanuatu - in the second. We would be essential to the sailing of the ship and would play a full part in hauling the ropes, manning the helm, lookout duties, managing the sails, swabbing decks, helping in the galley etc. We were told there would still be plenty of opportunities for relaxation, with plenty of off-duty spells on board, the chance to snorkel on coral reefs and the chance to explore deserted islands.

A final, fourth week, was to be spent at Namara on Waya Island where, for the project phase of the expedition, we would to be involved in the building of a hostel at their school. The island has no roads, electricity, water or sewage system. There are three villages on the island, but all the children go to school at Namara. In some cases this means children as young as 4 years old have to walk up to one hour each way to and from school. In the wet season these children rarely attend school. The Chief and elders of the island appreciate the value of education and wanted to build a simple hostel to accommodate the children.

The provision of a container enabled us to take many things with us sourced here in the UK. We did fear that we might not be able to get everything into the container, but with some judicious cramming we just managed to get the doors shut!!

It left us on the 11th March 2002 and subsequently arrived safely in Fiji and the contents delivered to the island, much to the delight of everyone.