A bit of Neptune Day history:
Crossing the Line, or Neptune Day, is an initiation rite celebrated in many navies. It commemorates a sailor's first crossing of the equator. The rite was intended originally as a test of new shipmates by seasoned sailors. The tradition dates back to the 16th century, and in the old days, the ship heaved to (that is, it sets it sails so as to remain stationary) and the pollywogs were hoisted on the mainyard and dunked into the ocean 40 feet below; afterwards, shaving and other forms of blood letting took place.
Our Neptune Day wasn't exactly like that, but I did get fish guts dumped on me, kiss a fish, kiss the ring of King Neptune (the ship's captain, painted green), jumped in the pool to get guts off of myself, and cut off most of my hair to donate to Locks of Love. I have about a 1/4 of an inch left in back and maybe 3.5 in front. I am no longer a pollywog (new shipmate) but am officially a shellback (initiated sailor).
We bunkered in Dakar, Senegal yesterday. We couldn't see much past the dirty port, but we did pass directly by Gorée, which is an island was used to house slaves before they headed to the Americas. It is still as it was then.
2,000 Miles (4 days) until land...
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