Crossing the Equator

3^rdOctober 2019

The wind has strengthened this morning and we are now heading into around a 12 knot South Easterly. The temperature increases each day and we are now experiencing 25-27 C and around 70% humidity. We now do our morning walk  before breakfast before the day gets really hot. The headwind makes walking around the bow a bit challenging.

Today we cross the equator, and the crossing ceremony is planned to be on the pool deck at 3pm. In the meantime, there is a presentation at 10.45 am to give us information on our next destination, Papeete. We are currently scheduled to arrive there at 7 am on Sunday, 6^thOctober. It seems most of Papeete closes down on Sundays. We have booked a round Island tour which will occupy the morning, but it is looking like we may spend the afternoon back on board.

Right on time, at 3pm, King Neptune (and his attractive Queen) enter the pool deck for the commencement of the equator crossing ceremony.

Arrival of the Queen and King Neptune

Neptune and his buxom Queen

The Pollywoggles (first time crossers) get all manner horrble stuff thrown over them

Staff crossing fir the first time get the same treatment

The it is time to kiss the fish

The first officer (standing in for the Captain) is led to the pool wearing his kipper necklace

It is time for the participants to het the pool to cleanse themselves

Neptune retiring, his work done

The cleansing process gathers a few more participants

The ceremony lasted for about 45 minutes and it was pretty crowded on deck. We retired afterwards to the bar at the stern of the ship on deck 7 for a quiet beer away from the crowd.

Heading down for dinner, we noticed that everyone was dressed up in their formal wear whilst we were dressed casual. It seems it is a formal night. Oh well, who cares, we continued on and enjoyed our pre dinner drinks amongst a very well dressed crowd. Irene was the only one who had read the info that told us it was a formal night, so she was dressed appropriately.

Irene, Carole and Joy adding some "Formal " content to our dinner

Dinner was great, with lobster on tonight.