Thursday, April 20, 2017

Day 17: Crossing the equator

All is well aboard SV Terrapin

Yesterday's exciting news was washing underwear in a 5 gallon bucket using a plunger. Nothing but glamorous out here on the high seas.

We had originally been sailing to cross the equator at about 4am this morning and thought it would be better to head west just a bit so that we would cross the equator in some day light. At 8:37am (according to the ships clock) and just as the sun was coming up we crossed the equator and became shellbacks! We each made an offering to King Neptune. Jessica threw over an infinity charm that she attached a small fishing weight to so that it would sink. Lora threw over some spare change she had with her, less than 50 cents US. Phil threw over 22 pesos. Emma and I being the cheapskates we are each only threw over 1 "lucky" peso.

Next we popped a bottle of champagne, poured two cups worth for each of the girls to sip out of and then passed the bottle between Phil, Lora and myself. It actually tasted really good! Next came the party streamers and bubbles provided by our friends of SV Scuba Ninja and SV Stray Catz. Both Jessica and Emma threw over a message in a bottle. Wonder where they'll end up?

After Emma, the scribe, was done filing out our certificates, Phil "disappeared" into the boat to see if he could summons King Neptune. Sure enough within a minute King Neptune himself appeared up the gangway and into the cockpit. He greeted us with his long white beard, crown and sturdy triton. King Neptune greeted us and told us he had certificates to commemorate our crossing of the equator. As King Neptune began to read the certificates for each of us he also began choking on the cotton balls his beard had been made out of. Apparently a cotton ball or two got loose and went straight for the wind pipe. Resembling a cat coughing up a hair ball, he managed to read the certificates and hand them out. I meanwhile was attempting to film while laughing so hard I was crying! As each of us was presented with our certificates Jessica placed our necklaces she had made us around our necks.

The girls had decided for the ceremony that they had wanted to wear Mardi Gras masks just for fun. King Neptune was nice enough to stick around so that the girls could get their picture with him. Super cute.

We have about 832 more miles to go and would appreciate everyone sending WIND. We're flying the spinnaker during the day and motoring at night when there is zero wind.

Spirits are high, but I got to say, this crew is so ready to get there!

SV Beach Flea and Me Too both dropped anchor today in Nuka Huva. Can't wait to join them.

THANK YOU so much for all the amazing messages people are sending us. You can't imagine how awesome it is to ready something nice from someone across the country just wanting to wish us well. Again, thank you!


-- Sent via SSB Radio


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At 4/20/2017 2:27 AM (utc) our position was 00°26.99'N 127°25.85'W

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