After leaving São Tomé and Príncipe, at 1’N and 7’E, we crossed the equator on water. This country is about as close to the center of the world as it gets, and I will share the visit soon. In the meantime, I have lived just south of the equator in Kenya and crossed it many times on land. We crossed it in the Galapagos in 2022, but nothing was said. Bob talked about crossing it when he was in the Navy years ago – there is a maritime ceremony for those crossing it for the first time on water, and Regent made a big deal of it yesterday for those of us who were Pollywogs and became officially a Shellback!
Neptune and his queen and subjects were on board. A huge Marlin that we had to kiss after a curtsy or bow to the king and then had some sort of potion and a huge ladle of ice-cold water dumped on our heads.
We have a few days at sea now as we sail south towards Namibia. Along with enjoying our days, we are playing Bridge and working on catching up with pictures, etc. More soon on our days in late November… It continues to be a fabulous trip!
Aspects of Wonder and Wander 
What fun! Love the pictures and all the telling of the adventures! Enjoy.
LikeLike
When we crossed we had to swim across the pool to get to the fish that we kissed! It was quite a celebration! Glad you got to experience it.
LikeLike
Glad you are getting entertained and having some laughs. Equator in Kenya (coastal region) was mostly “dead silence”. Alive with stillness (different than Florida”s humid oppressive still.) The total opposite of Hawaii which was alive with excessive turbulence wind/rain/waves/clouds/volcano.
LikeLike
Congratulations, Shellback! Very kind of them to let you wear a cap, when drenched with iced water. I could imagine you curtsying to Neptune, but kissing the huge marlin?
Happy cruising!
Mary
LikeLike