Day 20 - São Tomé: Tender Boats, History & Crossing the Equator


Today we docked at sea off the coast of São Tomé, one of the two islands that make up São Tomé & Príncipe — the second smallest African state. It was fascinating to watch the crew drop anchor and prepare the tender boats, lowering them carefully into the water. There’s such a quiet choreography to it, and I found myself mesmerised by the precision.

I headed to the gym, this time proudly wearing my GibSams T-shirt, spreading a little bit of home and love across the ocean.

Today’s excursion for me was a walking tour of São Tomé. Now, I adore big ships… but tiny boats? Not so much! Still, the tender ride was absolutely fine, and before long we were stepping onto the island.



Our guides met us at the port and led us on a gentle five-minute walk to the old fort, sharing stories of São Tomé’s history as we went. This little island nation has such a fascinating past — from Portuguese colonisation to its decolonisation nearly 50 years ago. Its culture, architecture and language still carry those echoes of history.

My one small challenge on walking tours continues to be the pace of the group — many people stroll so slowly, and I’m always eager and curious to get to the next point, so I found myself (as always) edging toward the front of the group.

At the fort, we learned about the island’s strategic importance, its colonial legacy, and how independence shaped modern São Tomé. From there, we walked to the arts centre for a short visit — colourful artwork, local crafts, and glimpses of daily creativity.

We then enjoyed a buffet lunch, simple but tasty, before walking back to the port to catch the tender back to the ship.

Meanwhile, Joe had a quiet morning on board, apart from briefly misplacing his room key — which he later found, much to his relief!

Crossing the Equator – A Nautical Rite of Passage

This evening was extra special. As the Navigator crossed the equator, the entertainment team put on a fun and lively ceremony featuring King Neptune and his entourage. It’s a long-standing maritime tradition, full of silliness and laughter.



We each had to participate in a “test”… and if you failed, you had to kiss an actual fish! Thankfully it was all lighthearted — and tomorrow we’ll each receive an official certificate to mark our crossing from the Northern Hemisphere into the Southern Hemisphere. A moment to truly remember.

Tonight’s dinner was at Prime Seven, Joe’s favourite — and as always, the meal was impeccable. Afterwards, we headed back to our suite for a restful night.

The clocks go forward tonight, bringing us back on Gibraltar time — a small but comforting connection to home.

As the ship glides deeper into the Southern Hemisphere, I feel grateful, humbled, and ready for everything still waiting ahead.

Daily Reflection:

Today reminded me of how travel expands the soul — through history, tradition, challenge, and laughter.
Crossing the equator isn’t just a geographical moment; it’s a symbolic one too — stepping boldly into a new phase of our journey.

Highlight of the Day:
✨ The Equator Ceremony — King Neptune, the rituals, the laughter, and the joy of participating in a centuries-old seafaring tradition.

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