Libya Receives International Visitors Via Floating Bookstore.

Libyan dancers welcome Logos Hope.

A floating book store on board the ship Logos Hope brought help, hope and knowledge to Libya. The vessel's inaugural tour of the Arab world has so far been warmly welcomed. Logos Hope called at the three ports of Tripoli, Misurata and Benghazi. During the five-week visit, some 134,468 people climbed the gangways to enjoy a cultural and educational experience on board. Among these, over 7,300 children came on board to experience an interactive program, put together especially for them.

Logos Hope's International Cafe gave visitors a chance to sit down after browsing the book fair. Good and positive interaction took place between the crew members from around the world and the local Libyan people. In discussion with crew members about different life experiences, it became obvious that the inquisitive Libyans wanted to know why Logos Hope staff were so different from the picture they had in their minds of people from Western nations. The values, standards and morals of the crew were noticed to be positively different and left a lasting impression on many locals.

The importance and value of such a visit was made clear by the many expressions of admiration left in the Captain's Log electronic guest book by visitors to the ship. One read, "Your visit has caused a lot of commotion in Libya. There is a very nice atmosphere here. It is very different and nice. I haven't found this anywhere else."

Local and national authorities, as well as many thousands of individuals in Libya, look forward to the next visit of one of our ships to their nation.