DAY 10--AT SEA

        Another smooth night and day cruising.  Ocean basically calm and hope it stays that way.  Today we crossed over the Equator off Ecuador coast.  Not sure exactly how many times we have crossed it, but over 10 times at least.  The ship's position display on channel 3 of the tv is not working now.  I don't like it near as well as on the other Regent ships anyway.  I bring my own maps!  The walls in suites are metal covered with wallpaper so I bring magnets to put stuff on walls.

        The Captain's noon position and weather PA advised us we had crossed the Equator and that it was sunny and a pleasant 79 degrees with the usual 75% humidity.  This afternoon we are sailing off the coast of Colombia.  Weather forecast is for more nice weather and smooth sailing.  Another sea day tomorrow!

What We Did Last Night:

At 6:00 pm there was a party in the theater for the Seven Seas Society "top tier" members.  This is ice carving at entrance.

           This is Sean, our executive chef.  We have sailed with him before.  Very good!!

         This is Stephane, our Food & Beverage Manager.  We've sailed with him before also.

Evan, Evan & female production cast singer, and champion ballroom dancers entertained us.

 Cynde was our sommelier last night.  Great service and personality.  Sommelier we had the night before at Captain's table had to fly home on family emergency.  Pray all is well back there.

 Veal parmesan and side of spaghetti.  Of course, I could not eat it all.  Chef Sean stopped by our table to check on how we liked it.  I told him to use spaghetti marinara sauce with veal next time as apparently they used tomato sauce this time and too sweet.  Veal was soooo tender!

                          Chocolate profiteroles for my dessert.  Vanilla ice cream in middle.
        Last night's show featured Billy Stritch as part of the PBS Artful Travelers programs on board this cruise.  He sang and played the piano but I did not recognize any of the songs so left after about 4 songs.  Rebecca stayed to hear his whole show.

What We Did Today:
        The ship's tv map is working again.  We crossed the Equator at 11:00 this morning while we were both in gym working out. 

Rebecca ate her Atkins protein bar but I had chicken quesadilla and Caesar salad in Prime 7.
        At 1:00 this afternoon by the pool they held the traditional "Equator Crossing Ceremony".  If you have not crossed the Equator by sea before you are a "pollywog".  If you have, then you are a "shellback".  Of course, we are shellbacks and done this before long time ago.

King Neptune and Queen Neptuna with their entourage arriving on board the Explorer for the ceremony.

                                        King Neptune beginning ceremony.

To start with a young woman must be sacrificed.  Note blood and guts on deck in front of sheets.  (actually catsup and spaghetti).

 Then passengers crossing for first time (pollywogs) must kiss a fish (real fish) and get slimmed.

                                 This ceremony is always lots of laughs and fun to watch. 
        Another relaxing afternoon at sea.  I have requested the chef prepare a special salad for us tonight. It is:  avocado, tomato, hearts of palm, iceberg lettuce with green goddess dressing.
Here is tonight's specials:

         Tonight's show at 9:30 is featuring our 2nd production show, "My Revolution".  It will be songs and dancing from the British invasion of 1960's with hits from Lulu, The Kinks, and of course, The Beatles.