WE CROSS THE EQUATOR

At 2.30pm this afternoon we will celebrate ‘Crossing the Line’. I believe King Neptune will come on board and sanction passage to continue our journey. We pass into the Northern Hemisphere and are no longer POLLYWOGS.

The Princess Patter newssheet invites us all to the ceremony by the pool on Deck 12, and promises each passenger on the ship will be issued with a personalised ‘Crossing of the Equator’ Cerificate. This is ‘proof positive’ we are told that King Neptune has sanctioned safe passage and will allow us to continue our journey.

Amazing how simple this will be for us when I remember the trials and tribulations of the old sailing ships like the ‘Canton’ my great grandparents came in, in 1848. Ships were becalmed for days waiting for a breeze to take them further. The air was stifling hot and it was hard to breathe. For days!

“A painted ship upon a painted ocean.” (The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner)

While we motor along in our air-conditioned cabins and public spaces. Bruce even likes to sit out on the balcony and read in the warm air.  Nights are hot hanging out from under our doonas (there is no top sheet to throw over us instead).

Today the temperature is expected to reach 34C degrees with a low of 26C. Tomorrow for Singapore we can expect it to be sunny with a few clouds. High of 35C and a low of 25C.

Singapore is only 1degree north of the Equator, so this is real Equatorial weather.

Bruce is still caught up in the anxiety of buying a wheel chair in Singapore so he can get me off the ship and to the shuttle bus to go into town from the Container Wharf where we berth in Singapore and lots of ports. This heavy four wheel battery scooter we brought with us is a big mistake as –at over 50kg - it’s too heavy to get into any taxi or shuttle bus. Here’s hoping!

Today the Photo Shop is offering Digital Kiosk Prints at only 15c each – as long as you download 75 or more 4x6 prints.  And the Drink of the Day in any bar, club or lounge is Pimms Cup containing pimms and sprite at only A$8.00.

The Lotus Spa (the beauty salon) is offering a Special today of a 75 minute full body massage with Hot Stones bathed in essential oils for only $164. I’ve felt the hot stone massage once in a demonstration and it really was lovely, warm and relaxing. But I don’t think so. Not today thanks.