Revisiting Lord Neptune-Equator crossing number 6

Blast from the Past

 Yet another equator crossing 6th for the Tarunis as a team and 3rd for Tarini as we steadily paved our way for another tryst with lord Neptune we did have quite funny interactions with Neptune at equator in the past some fun some lull and some squall so we were quite prepared to meet Neptune this time around.. Let us give a small brief of time tested tradition that has been carried out by seafarers when they cross equator. For the benefit of readers …Seafarers who have already crossed the equator are called as shell backs and those who have not are nicknamed Pollywogs.

Earth and Equator Choco Walnut Cake

The ritual is an initiation ceremony presided over by King Neptune (the ancient ruler of the seas) with a crown over his head and trident in his hand The oldest shellback in the ship/boat acts as lord Neptune. As a tradition the pollywogs are dunked into water at sea to cleanse them of dirt and impurities first physically i've heard they are even made to drink seawater for some internal cleansing.. And then mentally by being punished by Lord Neptune the punishment can be of any nature and the pollywog has no option but to bear the brunt…(Source Cdr Niel Manjooran)

Right foot first

Makes me remember our first ever equator crossing when Swatcat the only shellback in our team had a ball of time with us pollywogs.. Dunking in the sea wasn’t required as we already take frequent showers with water from our water maker and even drink it..she gave us all some punishments which has us in splits when performing. We had offered some halwa to lord neptune..Guess he likes us... Because since that equator crossing Neptune called us back many a times to get some tasty treats and surprise us with a different weather phenomenon on each visit we made since then. .Glassy calm Sea, Squally night ,brilliantly lit starry night, absolutely cloudy night, Heat in the middle of the day that roasted us, Mesmerizing sunrise and sunsets Fair winds and following seas but also winds from nowhere and we at a standstill…you name it and we have witnessed it at the equator.

So this equator crossing was quite an event as we have upgraded our cooking skills also since we sailed out first a Delicious chocolate walnut Cake Prepared by Swtacat awaited lord Neptune as we approached equator.. now from our past visits we have also learnt that Neptune is quite cranky and acts funny even if one of us is not up and about to greet him so despite being 0450 in the morning the entire team was up to say hello. Our youngster Puko cut the cake and we sang a reprised version of Happy equator crossing (Happy birthday glorified) after counting down the seconds that showed our position changing from North to South Oh! We did not find a line going across the sea so we drew a Zero degree line as a icing on our round cake which represented the earth and cut across it-Symbolic isn’t it? That adds another shell to our backs. Fiberglass sandwich shellbacks…lol (That one was for the boat builder)

This was the time when we realized that from now on we will be in the southern hemisphere rest of the year and most of the part of the voyage until we commence our last leg from cape town-our home run Nostalgic and sweet pain of separation yet again so here we stride ahead but alas! It only been a day that we have crossed equator and the lull has hit us let me tell you it’s not the stormy nights but the windless ones that really vex us there is scotching heat outside and our watermaker has developed some hypertension poor thing needs some undivided attention and cajoling to rev up again-vexed vexed! Some good rain and winds might calm down our nerves   

The family that stays together

Until then Cheerios!

Hey croc! it’s our watch now let’s put some sunscreen and step out!     

Wishing our mentor- Guruji Capt Dilip Donde SC (Retd.) a very happy birthday we dedicate this equator crossing to him… we are because you are sir…Hail Shellbacks!!  

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