We did an underway replenishment in formation with the USS Philippine Sea,> a Naval Supply ship, the French ship LaFayette, and 3 helos a few days> ago. I conned during it (gave the commands to the people driving the> ship). It was a big deal because we were 180ft from the other ship in the> water and there was a danger of a collision like happened down in FL.> Everything was fine and we didn't hit! Later that day I was able to go to> the french ship for lunch. We climbed down the side of our ship on a> metal and rope ladder to a little inflatable raft and sped across the> water to the french ship. We pulled alongside it to a door that was water> level and climbed easily out! Much easier than coming down from our tall> ship! I'll admit I was a little apprehensive about coming down from the> ship. Once onboard we met a few officers and dined with them in their> wardroom. THe CHENG (chief engineer) was the most senior officer LCDR that> went with us and he ate with the CO in his own wardroom. The supply> officer was the only one that was a female on a ship of 150 people. This> ship is one of the last in the French Navy to incorporate women onboard.> Not totally sure why. She was really funny and so were all the people> that were there. We had cocktails, french wine, french bread, french> cheese, french everything. We ate KANGAROO!! They made a joke and said> that we were eating "Skippy" but we all thought they were kidding. THey> said we would just hop back to our ship. I still can't believe I ate> kangaroo. It tasted like beef. Haha. We had mangos and avacados from> Jabouti, Africa that were really good. We ate off crystal and silver.> THeir wardroom was really nice. They gave us a personalized tour after> lunch. They (Suppo, pilot, VBSS Officer leader, and Combat Information> System offier) toured us around. They were a diesel ship like ours but> were totally automatic. They had a PERISCOPE on the bridge to use b/c> they said it was more convenient than using binoculars. Their medical> facility and combat were the same. THey had a helo onboard that they> rolled into a hanger bay that I took a picture by. The layout of the ship> was different inside because the halls were wider and the floors seemed to> be different colors on every floor. The ship i think they said was 10> years old? It was so fun to go over to their ship. THey knew English> fairly well and had tons of funny stories. It was good to get away from> the ship and take the boat ride between the 2 ships which was about 10> minutes. THey gave us blue ballcaps from their ship withthe name and a> pic on the front.. we did the same. They sent back a loaf of french bread> and wine for the CO. The whole day was very exhausting but was also very> refreshing being off the ship.