THE WEST GERMAN LINER, HANSEATIC, WHICH IS CURRENTLY ON A WINTER CRUISE OF WEST AFRICA WITH 580 TOURISTS ABOARD, STOPPED RECENTLY IN COTONOU, DAHONEY. THE WEST GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO DAHOMEY, HERR UDO HORTSMANN, GAVE A RECEPTION ABOARD THE LINER, NOW HOMEWARD BOUND.

THE HANSEATIC, BELONGING TO THE DEUTSCHE ATLANTIC LINE, IS FITTED WITH THE LATEST MODERN EQUIPMENT. A TELEVISION SET IN ITS LOUNGE ENABLES PASSENGERS TO WATCH PROGRAMMES FORM NEARBY COUNTRIES. THE CINEMA ON THE HANSEATIC CAN SEAT 200, AND THERE IS ALSO A LARGE SWIMMING POOL.

WHILE IN COTONOU, DAHOMEY'S LARGEST TOWN, THE PASSENGERS WENT ON A SHOPPING SPREE LOOKING FOR AFRICAN ART. DAHOMEY IS ONE OF THE AFRICAN STATES WHERE THE ART TRADITION OF BENIN, THE FAMOUS OLD WEST AFRICAN KINGDOM, STILL FLOUR SHES. BANKS SET UP OFFICES ON THE SHIP TO ENABLE PASSENGERS TO CHANCE THEIR CURRENCY.