Onboard the MV Doulos

The MV Doulos: World's Oldest Ocean-Going Passenger Ship

Was in Brisbane for her final voyage around the world before her glorious journey ends in 2010. Her life began in 1914 as the SS Medina, a steam cargo vessel carrying onions. In 1948, she was transformed into the Roma to carry migrants from Italy to Australia. Next, she turned into the Franca C in 1952, a luxury cruise liner for passengers. Her most notable phase started in 1977 when a German charity "Good Books for All" saved her from the scrapyard and modified her into the Doulos that we see today.

Given the age of Doulos (94 this year), our guide said something at the beginning of the tour, "They say even God can't sink the Titanic. We say only God can keep Doulos afloat."
Since 1977, MV Doulos has visited 104 different countries with more than 20 million visitors. 350 volunteers from 50 countries work onboard to serve as her crew: doctors, nurses, engineers, deckhands, kitchen helpers, laundry assistants - all you need is a willing heart and a pair of hands and they will train you.

"Doulos" is a Greek word for "Servant". The Douloids (ship crew) see themselves as servants of God, bringing hope, knowledge and help to the people of the world. As we toured the ship, listening to the stories of the ship and her crew, walking along the aged decks and planks, it's like walking into history itself. This is as close as you get to Titanic.

But what touched me was more was the spirit of the crew whom we met during the tour. Many of them were professionals in their own way. They committed themselves to serve, and humbly took up jobs that are dirty, mundane. Imagine working in a hot kitchen everyday, peeling potatoes and preparing 1000 meals a day, ironing clothes for the entire 350 crew or getting greasy hands maintaining the engines. Yet, everyone of them had so much joy and peace. They were there to serve the people, and they are happy about it.

Well, the MV Doulos is scheduled to be in Singapore from 17 Nov to 8 Dec. Apart from going to the famed book fair onboard, it's a must to simply take the tour and soak up the experience. Here's the link to their website: MV Doulos

The "multi-cultural door"

A menu from the Franca C - luxury liner (1952-1977)

Mei and I with our tour guide, Hi-Me. He's from the Phillippines

One of the 6 life-boats onboard

In the Captain's Deck. These 2 magnetic compasses are still in use!

They replace the wooden wheel with this "modern" one

That's the actual Captain's hat!

The book fair