Las Perlas to Galapagos - Day 5
Jackamy
Paul & Derry Harper
Mon 8 Mar 2010 17:19
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00:44.860S 90:18.560W
Monday 8th March
We crossed the equator at approx 03:45 this
morning! We were all up to celebrate the occasion and share a bottle of
champagne then it was bed time for me and Jack and watch time for Paul and Amy.
We all needed to rest ready for our celebrations today!
The ceremony of crossing the line is an
initiation rite which commemorates a sailor's first crossing of the equator.
Originally the tradition was created as a test for seasoned sailors to ensure
their shipmates were capable of handling long rough times at sea. Sailors who
have already crossed the equator are nicknamed (Trusty) Shellbacks, often
referred to as Sons of Neptune; those who have not are nicknamed (Slimy)
Pollywogs.
After crossing the line, Pollywogs recieve a
summons to appear before King Neptune and his court (usually including his first
assistant Davy Jones and her Highness Amphitrite) who officiate at the ceremony,
which is often preceded by a beauty contest of men dressing up as women.
Afterwards, some pollywogs may be interrogated by King Neptune and his
entourage, and the use of 'truth serum' (hot sauce + after shave + ?) and whole
uncooked eggs put in the mouth. During the ceremony, the Pollywogs undergo a
number of increasingly disgusting ordeals largely for the entertainment of the
Shellbacks.
Once the ceremony is complete, a Pollywog
recieves a certificate declaring his new status.
We spent a good few hours preparing our
costumes, Paul was to be Neptune, I was Davy Jones, Amy was her Highness
Amphitrite and Jack was Jacqueline the slave girl! The ceremony was held at the
bow where Paul had a bucket full of beans, mouldy bread, eggs, onions and
whatever else he managed to fish out of the rubbish bags ready and waiting for
us. We all took it in turns to have this lovely concoction poured on us and then
quickly showered off the back of the boat after, so now we are all
Trusty Shellbacks!
We anchored in Puerto Ayora at around 3.30
pm alongside Blue Magic, Peter Pan and Peregrina. We're all heading over to a
restaurant in the town who are kindly laying on a happy hour every night between
5.30 and 7.30. Can't wait! From what we can see the island of Santa Cruz looks
lovely and we're looking forward to our few weeks here in the Galapagos. We've
already been surrounded by wildlife - whilst coming in between the
islands we saw numerous amounts of turtles and rays and of course the boobies
were back to guide us in to the Galapagos. There is a very very old tri-maran
moored just to our starboard with a few univited guests - sea lions! It's
covered in them and is a wonderful sight.
We will upload pictures from the Perlas and
the crossing within the next couple of days.
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