Latitude: 68.38 S Longitude: 96.42 W Temperature: -2.3C Wind Chill: -16.7 C
There are certain routines onboard the Oden that follow set schedules or rules. Meal times and coffee are a good example; hanging up outdoor apparel and shoes at a certain place are too. So we were slightly taken aback when in the middle of the afternoon yesterday Capt. Mattias summoned everyone, crew included, to the port mess hall. No one seemed to know what was going on. There was a little anticipation in the air once we were all assembled- but no sign of the Capt.! Then we heard a loud knocking coming down the hallway to the port mess. This is what we saw appear in the doorway:
Messengers from Neptune
What in the world...?*
The man in the white coat introduced himself by telling us that we had been summoned by Neptune Rex, King of all Oceans. Having crossed the Antarctic Circle without prior permission, we had to go before him to see if we were indeed worthy of initiation into the brotherhood of those who have crossed this line. They said we would go in groups of three to be 'prepared 'for this audience. We all looked at each other wondering who would be led away first, when they randomly chose the first 3. Minutes later we heard screams!
Being Led Away
Dave Hutchins is one of the first to go!*
Who's Next?
We wait nervously in the port mess.*
Then, they returned for more! We were led to a room with paint and other strange looking things on the floor. We were blindfolded and our necks were painted yellow. Next, they pulled on our hair and snipped and cut it-Help! When they were finished, we had to walk a spiral staircase (still blindfolded).Reaching the top, we were guided to a place where we were made to kneel down (it was cold and wet there).
The Prep Room
Wait a minute...what's this???*
Finally, the blindfold came off and we faced Neptune himself!! On either side of him sat a mermaid. With his face inches away, he asked if we knew the name of his mermaids (think quick!). The first thing that came to my mind was Flopsy and Mopsy -WRONG ANSWER!!
So, INTO A BUCKET OF ICE WATER WENT THE HEAD! At the same time, ice cubes went down the backJ After kissing the end of the mermaid's tails, we were granted initiation and a peaceful voyage on the
Into the Bucket
Help!! - Lollie gets dunked!
Big Splash
Now that's a splash!*
Martin's Turn
That was cold! Martin the Wet Head!*
Kissing the Mermaid's Tail
Cecilia obediently kisses the mermaid's tail.*
The rite ended with a special reception for us. I had a chance to interview Neptune later and he explained the ancient seamen's tradition of appeasing Neptune for good seas. These initiation rites are performed when crossing certain 'lines' such as the equator and the polar circles. Our names have now been added to the short list of those who have made this crossing- and we have a certificate to prove it!
Meet Neptune!
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