DAY 3 AT SEA ENROUTE TO FRENCH POLYNESIA

        We are still heading south southwest at a speed of 20 mph and will cross the Equator around 8:15 pm.  Of course the Equator is an imaginary line on the Earth's surface equidistant from the North and South Poles, dividing the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere.  It is 24,901 miles long and is 79% over the oceans and 21% over land.  On the Equator the length of days and nights are constant and basically equal--12 hours day and 12 hours night.  Also there are no seasons on the Equator, as the temperature is fairly constant (hot) year round.  This will be our 7th time to cross the Equator on a ship.  (I have crossed it numerous times in airplanes).  Both the Royal and US Navies hold a ceremony for first time sailors who cross the Equator.  Regent cruises have always held a ceremony for first time crossers also.  I suspect that will be held tomorrow at the pool. King Neptune always presides over the ceremony and it is quite humorous.  People who have not crossed before are called "Polywogs" and those who have previously crossed are called "Shellbacks".
On our 2012 Circle South America cruise we actually stood on the Equator during an excursion in Ecuador.
        I can't show you a map photo today showing our position as we have run off of it.  At noon we still have another 750 miles to go before reaching Nuku Hiva.  This after noon at 3:00 pm there will be another long time Regent tradition occurring up on the pool deck.  It is called "Country Fair".  Each of the departments will have a game booth set up and passengers have 45 minutes to play the games and collect tickets if you win.  After 45 minutes there will be a drawing from these winning tickets for ship's prizes.  You have seen photos of this on my other blogs but here are some of today's country fair.  I am positive that the crew have more fun than we do!

 

                                                 Fair not started yet

                                       Restaurant Department with basketball shooting

                                       Housekeeping Department with water balloon toss

                                          Bar Department with golf putting

                                                   Purser's Department

Ring toss with Jean Ann Ryan dancers.  Those in pool hold arms up and you have to throw rings on them.

                                                  Cruise director and our Captain

                                         Executive chef and F&B Director, Goran

                                     These frozen chickens were the bowling balls

                                              Our Captain and General Manager

    Really good turnout

        Tonight I have requested the chef prepare veal Parmesan again for us.  After dinner we will be going to see the Jean Ann Ryan cast in "Dancing in the Streets" on stage in the showroom.  We saw their shows on the Miami to LA segment but never get tired of seeing these talented singers and dancer perform.  Last night's show with singer/ventriloquist, Michael Minor, was very, very good.  I'm sorry we did not go to his first show now.  He has a GREAT voice and probably best ventriloquist we have ever seen.  Liars Club after that was very funny.  It was a great evening!

                                          Singer/Ventriloquist Michael Minor

The 3 panelists at Liar's Club were:  Dr Paula Smith (lecturer), Michael Minor with "Grandpa" (singer/ventriloquist), and Elda Pauluzzi (assistant cruise director).