Crossing

For two people who have never been anywhere near the equator before, it has been very exciting to see the ‘degrees north’ on the Silver Whisper position steadily decreasing. And then came the morning when it was 0.06. Nearly there.

The sail into the mouth of the Amazon happened at night so it was not possible to see anything of the many islands there. The first stop was in Macapa, a very small Brazilian town where the Silver Whisper anchored for several hours to carry out Brazilian clearance.  Passengers were not allowed ashore but they could see forest and small riverside settlements. The water looks very muddy.

TSH and Diva did some Tai Chi on deck and Diva eyed a large insect very warily. Like a dragonfly but much chunkier and with a venomous way of flying. A couple of small black and white birds were glimpsed briefly. A moth the colour of an autumn leaf rested on the deck.

Late morning, Neptune appeared for the ceremony of the crossing of the line. Diva is convinced it was not the real Neptune, as the ceremony was very tacky and nothing like a God would organise. But the equator has been crossed!! The direction of flow down the bathroom basins has been observed but there seems to be no difference. So maybe all that school science stuff was just made up.

There is a new addition to the suite. TSH and Diva pointed out in the interim questionnaire that the light level in the suites has diminished and reading at night whilst sitting on the sofa is now impossible for them. So a reading light has been delivered!! Diva is wondering if Eclipse kitchens will be as helpful if the new light levels in the kitchen are similarly inadequate.  All modern lighting is designed by 25 year olds with perfect vision and no care for even slightly older people (like TSH and Diva). May they grow old and feeble sighted at a fast rate!!