Aloha All,

Today the crew marks the crossing of the Equator, from the Southern Pacific Ocean to the Northern Pacific. This is a significant event as two of our crew are virgin to this accomplishment aboard a ship at sea. This is where Zane and Rob will transition from "Scalawag" [A person who behaves badly but in an amusingly mischievous rather than harmful way.] to Shellback" [An old or experienced sailor, especially one who had crossed the equator] status. An honor indeed.

We begin the celebration with a toast of Soju to King Neptune for guiding us safely thus far and with a plea to continue to allow us safe passage to our home port. The Soju was provided by my Diamond Head surfing buddy, Meiko, as a parting gift in Hawaii

Next, an offering of rum to the King of the Deep. Not just any rum, mind you. This is "Manutea" Rum, distilled and bottled in Tahiti and quite potent I might add. We have the tattoos to prove it. A spirit worthy of King Neptune, we hope. The Manutea Rum was bestowed upon us by our Tahitian friend, Domi as a parting gift in Tahiti.

Finally, I had the crew come up with Haiku to commemorate our crossing of the equator and to be consistent with our earlier toast of Soju, a spirit of Japanese origin.

I chose this to compel each of us to reflect on the adventure we had undertaken. While it is also customary to, let's use the term, "haze" scalawags before granting them shellback status, I did not want to go that route as Rob and Zane are already exposed to enough abuse given my unconventional sense of humor.

Equatorial Haiku:

Mark�'s South to north, line crossed Sorely missed night sky in view Puanani soars

Rob's Scalawags are we Crossing the planet's great girth Shellbacks full of mirth

Zane's It is what it is Sung by many of us now Will it be that then

Everyone take care and stay well. All our love.

mark zane rob