November 7 – Crossing the Equator (We’re Shellbacks now!) and Al’s birthday

Today was another sea day.  I haven’t figured out why they are so busy, but they are.  After breakfast Al checked his e-mails and I updated the blog.  Then it was time for trivia.  We can’t use the excuse any longer that we’re  trying to lull the opposition.  Today we were bad!  They’ve added a new twist to the competition and on the last day teams are encouraged to come in “fancy dress” which for us Americans means costumes.  Our Australian members have come up with something. We’ll see how this all works out.

Mid-afternoon King Neptune and his court arrived onboard and it was time to initiate those who had never crossed the Equator on the sea (Pollywogs).  It doesn’t count if you’ve flown across it or even gone via land.  I think most of the passengers and many of the crew gathered around the main pool to watch the fun as several crew members who were Pollywogs were initiated into the Shellback society.  Thankfully we were spared from the ritual but it was lots of fun to see.  Each one was brought before Neptune and was sentenced to either the barber or the butcher for punishment for crossing the line.  At each station the Pollywog was thoroughly doused in some bilious looking compounds and then had to kiss an enormous fish.  After that they were tossed in the pool.  The last crew member to be taken was our cruise director Handré.  Everything that was left was smeared on him and a pie was rubbed in his face.  As he was being tossed in the pool he grabbed hold of our Captain and he went in too.  They were all great sports!

King Neptune and his lovely bride

King Neptune's Court

A hapless Pollywog being given a hair wash by the barbers

Yech! Kissing the fish

Our cruise director Handré being worked on by the Butcher, the Barber, the Captain et al

Us with His Majesty King Neptune

Late this afternoon we had a party in our suite for our teammates.  I had asked for a few hors d’oeuvres and some wine.  I was stunned with what came.  We had hot and cold canapés, wine, champagne and mixed drinks and a bartender to take care of it all.  We gathered around and had a toast to the team.  Then as we actually crossed the line and the ship’s horn sounded we toasted the Equator.  Finally we toasted Al because it was his birthday.  We had a lovely evening before going off to dinner.  When we came back to our cabin everything had magically disappeared.  It was a wonderful day and we get an extra hour of sleep which will be very nice.

These were just the cold hors d'oeuvres. They brought the hot ones when the guests arrived.