Arctic Circle

The important thing about today was that we crossed the Arctic Circle at 7:00 this morning. Our cruise director assured us that there was no visible line out here in the Norwegian Sea and that technically it was just another day at sea, but it was an event. It was foggy and cold out, but there was plenty to do and it didn't seem to slow anyone down.

Around ten o'clock we staked out our spot on the nearest balcony over looking the Centrum of the ship to watch the ceremonies for crossing the circle. While we waited, we chatted with another couple from Sweden who gave us more great advice. Meanwhile the staff was going around painting everyone's nose blue to symbolize surviving the north and "the biting of the frost."

The show began with welcoming King Neptune and his wife for safe travel. He demanded entertainment. 

To the song, "Cold as Ice," aerial dancers performed in sparkly cages dangling high up over the centrum. It was impressive. 

Then they initiated staff who had never been across the Arctic Circle. Anyone who has not crossed the circle is called a pollywog. They were brutal with making them kiss fish, smashing eggs on their heads, and dumping spaghetti and flour on them.

Who thinks of these things? I guess it's been a tradition from long ago with the Navy for crossing the Equator as well. But the staff got the Cruise Director and the guy playing King Neptune in the end as they threw them into the whole slippery mess. There was spaghetti, flour and eggs everywhere. Thank goodness the floor was all covered in tarps. The mom in me wondered who had to clean it all up! 

The Centrum and the balconies were packed with people and lots of laughing. Great fun!

We've noticed and mentioned, how fit the Scandinavians are. Bob's size and shape seem to be the norm. Everyone is out walking even in the cold and mist. We see them making healthy choices at meals. Meanwhile, we went to lunch thinking we'd just have something light like soup and salad. Sure. We came back to our room with a big plate of desserts to share. Both stuffed, Bob's answer to making things right was, "OK, tonight I'm only having one dessert!" Good boy!

We went to another lecture on life over the circle and learned about the Sami culture which is much like our Native Americans. On the Professor droned with good information, but in a monotone and I had a flashback to riding the bus on our tour last year. Henry (who was a great story teller and didn't speak in monotone) still would be lecturing and turn to look back at us and half were tilted back, mouth open, sound asleep. The soothing motion of the bus must be much like the ship.

At 4:00 they put the movie, Frozen on the huge screen out by the pool. Remember I said it was foggy and not quite 50 degrees, but that didn't stop these hearty people. They just bundle up and gather around in deck chairs. We are so impressed.

Bob has made friends with the guy from Serbia that runs the coffee shop that also sells bottled water and evening wine much cheaper than other places onboard. He has shown him his fishing pictures and given him his Field and Stream magazines. It's fun, plus we get good deals and great practical advice at each port.

Every once in a while it hits me where we are in this vast northern sea. It's gray and cold with no land in sight and here we are floating along in a cozy small city as we dance to a band and laugh to a comedian. Live in the moment, I tell myself, and just enjoy. Think about it later!

We actually stayed up until 12:30 and enjoyed the Belly Flop contest at the enclosed pool in the Solarium followed by a dance party to celebrate the Midnight Sun. It was fun and still very light as we climbed into bed.