Just for once I am pleased to be reading about your adventures, Fletcher, rather than being on the ship with you. I think that is mainly due to old age and lack of get up and go, but hope it will prove to be not just interesting but also really enjoyable. It is many years since I was in West Africa, but it can be a challenge, certainly. Though mitigated a lot by returning to a cool ship and some civilised eating, drinking and socialising after a day ashore.
Bon voyage, and looking forward to further instalments.