We were up on the bridge with the captain and other passengers when we crossed the Equator. Our Expedition Leader proclaimed us all "shellbacks" for our achievement. It was December 3, 2008, and we were in the vicinity of Volcan Ecuador, a spectacular shield volcano on Isabela Island, which is bisected by the Equatorial line. ASIDE: The English-speaking seafaring tradition maintains that all sailors who cross the equator during a nautical voyage must undergo rites of passage and elaborate rituals initiating them into The Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep. Those who have never "crossed the line" are derisively referred to as "pollywogs" or simply "slimy wogs". Upon entering the domain of His Royal Majesty, Neptunus Rex, all wogs are subject to various initiation rituals performed by those members of the crew who have made the journey before. Upon completion of the initiation ceremony, the wogs are then known as "trusty Shellbacks".