Sea Day #11 - Crossing the Equator & evening

Last Sea Day. We are FINALLY reaching land tomorrow morning at 7am in Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia, and the Captain said we are on schedule. Our clocks have moved a half-hour forward, yes half-hour, since Nuku Hiva feels they are so unique that they have created their own official time zone. We have traveled 1820 nautical miles and have 245 left to go at a speed of 17 knots with 15 knot winds and a steady 83 degrees and SUNNY, we will arrive on time. We are ready!

Today is a busy day: Travel photography class, Crossing the Equator Ceremony, Last Sing Out Loud class, ATW Bracelets, A Lecture on Paul Gauguin, French Polynesia Destination Presentation, and Ebony & Ivory Legends Show by Heather Sullivan (see the video, we know her well)!!!

As we have crossed the equator many times so we did not participate in the messy ceremony again but it’s always fun to watch. The Order of the Shellback ceremony that turns a Pollywog into a Shellback is an initiation to test sailor’s endurance. King Neptune and Highness Amphitrite preside over the ceremony (see video). It is quite entertaining if you are not a victim. Of course the Oceania version of this “test” is kissing a fish and pouring some ice cold water over your head….not very painful. Karen, Lee and I did it about 15 years ago and were covered with spaghetti, ice cream, puddings and other non-edible but quite messy foods. A photo was on our holiday card that year and was added to this footprint for reference.Читать далее