Derek Spalding was supposed to arrive in Bermuda on the Spirit of Bermuda, but that didn't happen.

After flying to Tenerife to join the Tall Ships 2009 race, he found out that his bunk had been taken, but Mr. Spalding was not without a ship for long.

The Belle Poule quickly adopted him after having a positive experience with fellow Bermudian James Codrington on the previous leg.

"After James they said 'another Bermudian? Yes, we like'," said Mr. Spalding.

Twenty-three days and 3,000 nautical miles later, Mr. Spalding arrived in Bermuda on schedule, having had an experience he will never forget.

He first got involved with Tall Ships after volunteering on the Amistad for its 2005 trip to Bermuda.

"My interest got sparked off with learning the story of the Amistad," said Mr Spalding. "While I was working with them [executive director of the Spirit of Bermuda] Malcolm Kirkland took great interest in me."

After getting more involved with sailing, Mr. Spalding took advantage of Tall Ships 2009 as an opportunity to become an overseas watch leader, and signed on.

For Mr. Spalding though, his trip on the Belle Poule came with a challenge he had not expected. The Belle Poule is a French ship, and Mr. Spalding knew no French.

"We had one trainee who knew a little English," said Mr. Spalding. "After about the fourth day, I started to pick up a little of the language. I figured out some of the things they were saying and some of the meanings."

The language was only one of several culture shocks. As the ship passed over the equator, he had to participate in the French nautical tradition of playing 'tiercê', a game inspired by horse-racing, and drinking 'nuoc man', a Vietnamese sauce made from fish.

"Everyone had to go through it," said Mr. Spalding. "It's part of their seaman heritage, very different from the English."

After arriving in Bermuda, Mr. Spalding was awarded his Sea Masters Certificate by Belle Poule Captain Olivier Lebosquain.

"It was a wonderful experience. He's a good guy, and now he's a real crewman," said Capt. Lebosquain.

Mr. Spalding says sailing and getting involved with Tall Ships have helped him see the bigger world.

"Those that know me will see the progress I've made since I've been a seagoing individual," said Mr. Codrington. "It's definitely put me in a better place. It's given me a better understanding for what matters and [the ability to] live life instead of worrying about things.

"It's thinking, it's soothing, it's rest and relaxation. It's a massage for the mind."