The Amazon and the Atlantic

Day 59

The evening was a dash down the river, at times making 21 knots thanks to the current. The day was overcast and the precipitation held off until afternoon. 

river scene from our deck

river scene from our deck

The noon report placed us at 00°34.15'S and 051°32.48'W. Course 040 but changing constantly. Speed 19k. Distance 15,282 nm. Wind NE3. Humidity 72%. (?) Sunrise at 0534. Sunset at 1741.

We had lunch in the Pinnacle with new friend Daryl who plays the piano daily in the Crows Nest and for special functions. He has a family background back to Hibbing which is how we connected.

At 1430 we passed the upbound Regent Seven Seas Mariner. At 1438 we crossed the Equator again, this being our 9^th. 

 

On the aft deck, King Neptune held court to pass judgement on those Vile Pollywogs who have sought permission to cross his domain. (This being postponed to this crossing, with his royal Wetness' permission.) The deck area being small, it was packed with crew and guests so we avoided it but shot a couple of pics for you from the nearby gym windows. The pollywogs (those who are making the first crossing of the Equator) of the crew approached on their knees, ordered to “kiss the fish” then were examined and sentenced; most smeared with a vile mixture from the galley then dunked in the pool. I have no idea if any guests were so prosecuted, though it is most likely several did kiss the fish. Being Shellbacks, or Son and Daughter of Neptune, we were not required to appear but were again given a certificate of safe passage.

a vile pollywog gets greased

King Neptune (left)

Jeff, our security officer, kisses the fish

Our route takes us through the North channel and out into the Atlantic where we will turn Northward and follow the coast toward French Guiana.

river view late in afternoon

Dinner tonight was in the main dining room for us. We spent 45 minutes listening to the piano and violin music in a lounge, dined then enjoyed an hour long cabaret show in another lounge featuring our friend Daryl on the piano and the voices of our young onboard entertainment troupe. Such an event would normally be held in the large showroom, but that room was being used to show the movie “Papillon” as background to our approaching visit to Devil's Island.

The specifics of this voyage are difficult to pin down so I can only estimate that our Amazon leg was about 1,200nm.