Chapter 2
Trip to Australia
For one so young the sea crossing offered only vague memories for Don.
In the five thousand mile, six week journey they suffered their share of
storms, and the family of five were cramped into a small cabin which would have
been uncomfortable even without the inconvenience of bad weather. Winds were
relentless, unleashing enough power to prove capable of tossing the ship into a
fury of frenzied twists and turns. Passengers were told to stay in their cabins
and remain on the beds to prevent injury. Don’s parents strapped him to the bed
by joining a few belts together and securing them to the frame. One wonders how
easy it would have been to become trapped in the cabin if there was an
emergency; after all, they were on the bottom deck where the continual rhythmic
thud of the engines would practically dismiss any audible mechanism of warning.
The storms finally eased, after many days the constant battering diminished and
orders of confinement to cabins retracted. Passengers enjoyed the rest of the
trip in calm seas and balmy days, and many made valuable friends on the way.
Zoe, now an attractive young lady entered the ships ‘Crossing the
Equator Ceremony’ in which someone was to be chosen worthy of being crowned
‘Neptune’s Queen’. Fifteen young women paraded the ‘Sundeck’ lounge for all
those passengers still well enough to take part in the judgement. She wore a
white full piece swimsuit covering more than it left uncovered, and a numbered
sash draped her shoulders, it was accompanied by a white dangling cloak
stopping short only inches from the ground; fitting advantageously to bestow
her beauty. The participants were judged by a table of five, the main one being
‘Neptune’. He was identifiable by the ‘trident’ he clasped, and the other four,
his helpers, were dressed in character. Much to her parent’s delight Zoe came
second and was named ‘Maid of Honour’. Excitement drew tears of joy from Rene.
She rushed over and hugged her daughter with the warmth and ardour a mother’s
devotion so readily delivers; truly a blissful day. Ted clasped his ‘Box
Brownie’ with proud indulgence and snapped a photo. His heart was filled with
happiness as he evinced a smile that could subdue any rough passage. Zoe
received a box of chocolates and dinner at the captains’ table for her
triumphant pretence in a moment of fantasy, more importantly it increased her
self-esteem and she was the envy of many of the young girls; not to mention
young hormonal males. The advertising gained from the parade towards her
splendour presented much avenue of attention from the men aboard. Interests
came her way not only because of her victory and loveliness but also due to her
friendly disposition. This served a cautionary awareness for her father’s
paternal defence mechanisms; from hereon he kept a more appropriate watchful
eye over her.
There were numerous arrangements made to entertain the children and give
parents a break, ‘time out’ to relax; swimming in the pool, birthday parties,
face painting, educational classes and more. For the voyage entire, most
adults, except the sick, took advantage of the illusionary effects of such a
rich lifestyle. No work and all party, sunny days, nightly dances,
sing-a-longs, meals supplied, no washing up, fun company, live shows, lots of
activities such as ‘Housie’, and practically everything included in the cost of
the ‘passage’ made it so easy to believe in the world of dreams. These were the
best times in which all past problems could be forgotten, albeit, the
opportunity given to relax and let those dreams became a reality was only for a
short period because as usual there is always someone ready and willing to
upset a sense of equilibrium by creating a problem.
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‘Crossing the Equator Ceremony’ 1958 Fairsea
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