Crossing the Equator or how I got to wear a toga to work and jump into a swimming pool!
Cruise Ship Diaries Chapter 26
How to describe a crossing the eqautor ceremony to a non seafarer? Organised chaos is fairly close a description as you'll get! Its an old naval tradition of hazing where when you cross the Equatorial line for the first time you partake in a ceremony where King Neptune allows the ship to safely cross. If you have crossed the line before you are known as a trusty shellback but if you haven't you are a slimy pollywog, still with me?
As you can see from the above video it was the biggest onboard event of the whole cruise and decks were rammed from back to front with PAX and off duty crew eager to see the carnage.
Having no idea what to expect Travis smartly said he'd be filming the wide shot up on the balcony but I was more than game to throw myself into the mix for whatever awaited! I was advised not to wear my white polo shirt because of 'gunge' and with that in mind I also put the wet weather cover on the camera as well just to be safe!
As I talked to the cruise staff about the layout of the event it occurred to me that the best way to shoot it was to be part of the event which meant being barefoot in my swim shorts and wrapped in some sheets as a makeshift toga!
The event began with the show band playing the victims out onto the open deck which is usually a mix of willing PAX and new crewmembers where they face a list of charges read out by King Neptune & his queen (usually a man). Most of the entertainemnt staff (and whoever really wanted to take part) would dress up as part of the kings court and they would be tasked with punishing the pollywogs.
All of the participants are found guilty (everytime!) and then all the Pollywogs are lined up and have to kiss the fish, not its not a euphemism
After a brief makeout session with the fish the victims are all lined up and gunged by royal court, the type of gunge varies from ship to ship but its usually a mix of eggs, flour, sauces and whatever else can be spared by F&B (food & beverage) that day.
Then all hell breaks loose and the pool area becomes a gigantic food fight war zone, with everyone in the that death zone fair game and obviously as I'm holding a camera and pointing at people being slimed I become a prime target. Luckily my shorts had lens rags in them so I could clean the jelly and cream of the camera multiple times throughout.
A major problem with this event is that how do you clean all this smelly crap of yourself? That's right everyone jumps in the pool!
This immediately turns the water brown and all the various foodstuffs end up in the pool and clog up the filters, this leads to the pool needing massive maintenance and being closed for the rest of the day. You also have potential injuries to guests and crew as everyone is slipping all over the place, looking back its amazing we got away with what we did and over the years the equator ceremonies got more and more watered down so much so that the gunking up the pool was massively off limits.
Usually they'd also make the Captain come out and kiss the fish, some did to great cheers and some would not turn up at all. If the Captain was not present the best option was to send out a 3rd officer to pose as the Captain who would get the full fury of the angry Aussie crowd (he's not the bloody Captain!) and he'd get booed and gunged to oblivion.
It's not many jobs where you can dress up in a toga, get involved in a massive food fight and then jump into a swimming pool as part of your actual job!
Next time on the cruise diaries - Dealing with PAX first thing in the mornings and creepy weirdos onboard!
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Neil Gregory
Film and TV obsessive / World Traveller / Gamer / Camerman & Editor / Guitarist
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Last weeks in Australia and being in a life-size washing machine!
We only had a few weeks left cruising Oz before transited over a few months around Asia and this meant some new ports of call and first up was the gorgeous Whitsunday Islands, a collection of 74 mostly inhabited islands on the Northeast coast of Queensland and a good jumping of point for tourists who want to visit the Great Barrier Reef which unfortunately we would not be doing that cruise. I couldn’t complain however as I spent the morning at the amazing Day Dream Island resort, its days like that when you realise the despite running around with a camera in your hand you are getting paid to have the same experience that the guests you are with are paying hundred some times thousands of dollars to have.
By Neil Gregory5 years ago in Journal
No Power or Water and -19°C: Kyiv Seeks Relief from Russian Strikes and Cold
Kyiv is facing a winter of unprecedented hardship, as Russian missile strikes continue to ravage the city’s infrastructure while plummeting temperatures push residents to the brink. With temperatures dropping as low as -19°C, the capital of Ukraine is struggling to provide basic necessities like heat, electricity, and water to millions of its citizens, highlighting both the human cost of war and the resilience of a population under siege. The ongoing Russian attacks have targeted critical infrastructure, leaving swathes of Kyiv without electricity and water for days at a time. Energy facilities, power grids, and water treatment plants have been repeatedly hit, exacerbating the already severe winter conditions. For residents, the combination of cold weather and a lack of utilities has created a life-threatening situation. Families are relying on makeshift heating methods, from wood stoves to improvised electric heaters, while authorities scramble to provide temporary shelters and emergency relief. Local authorities in Kyiv are under immense pressure to respond. City officials have activated emergency protocols, opening warming centers and providing water trucks for areas cut off from the municipal supply. Volunteers are delivering fuel and blankets, while international organizations have pledged aid, though logistics remain challenging in a city facing ongoing military threats. The Ukrainian government has emphasized the need for international support, calling on allies to provide both humanitarian assistance and diplomatic pressure to prevent further attacks on civilian infrastructure. The humanitarian impact of this crisis is profound. Hospitals are operating under strained conditions, with some forced to rely on generators to maintain critical care, including for patients undergoing dialysis, neonatal care, or surgery. Schools have had to adjust schedules or temporarily close, further disrupting the lives of children. Residents report that basic tasks, such as fetching water, preparing meals, or keeping children warm, have become daily struggles. The psychological toll is also evident, as families cope with fear, uncertainty, and the constant threat of further attacks. The cold itself is a formidable adversary. Temperatures of -19°C are well below freezing, putting vulnerable populations—particularly the elderly, children, and those with preexisting health conditions—at significant risk. Frostbite, hypothermia, and respiratory illnesses are rising concerns. Medical experts warn that the combination of physical hardship, stress, and lack of access to health services could have long-term health consequences for the population if the crisis persists. Despite the dire situation, the spirit of Kyiv’s residents has shown remarkable resilience. Community initiatives have sprung up, with neighbors helping each other stay warm, share supplies, and look after those most vulnerable. Local businesses and NGOs have coordinated relief efforts, setting up temporary shelters and food distribution points. International media have highlighted these stories of solidarity, illustrating how ordinary citizens continue to support one another even amid the dual threats of war and winter. The broader geopolitical context cannot be ignored. Analysts note that targeting civilian infrastructure in winter is a calculated strategy, designed to demoralize populations and strain government resources. Kyiv’s ability to maintain essential services, mobilize emergency response, and keep residents alive under these conditions has become a critical factor in the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, global attention to the humanitarian crisis has pressured both governments and organizations to respond more effectively, emphasizing the intersection of warfare, human rights, and climate challenges. The situation in Kyiv also underscores the importance of energy security and infrastructure resilience. Experts argue that rebuilding efforts in Ukraine will need to focus not just on restoring utilities, but on creating systems that can withstand both military and environmental threats. Investments in decentralized energy, emergency water supply systems, and community preparedness could mitigate the impact of future crises. As Kyiv faces this harsh winter, the city’s residents and leaders are navigating a precarious balance between survival and resistance. Relief efforts continue, but the combination of freezing temperatures and ongoing attacks means that every day presents a new challenge. The story of Kyiv is one of both vulnerability and courage, reflecting the human cost of conflict and the extraordinary lengths communities go to preserve life and dignity in the face of adversity. For the world watching, Kyiv’s crisis is a stark reminder that war does not pause for winter. It also underscores the urgent need for global solidarity, humanitarian aid, and robust infrastructure planning, to ensure that populations under siege are not left to endure freezing nights in darkness and silence.
By Fiaz Ahmed Brohi6 days ago in Journal
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