32 Sun. 1 Mar. 1953 An almost glassy smooth day with confused swells rolling the ship. The wind of our motion gives a pleasant breeze On deck at 6:30 A.M. Lat 20°-14'S; Long. 138°-06'W; Course 252°T Dist. 370 mi. St.T. 25h. Av. Sp. 14.80 k Wind - Light airs Sea - Smooth T.T. 10d 17h. 35m. To Brisbane 3776; From Balboa 3929 mi. 2 whales sighted soon after 12: noon. One passed to port, blowing (short round spout), little exposure, and on some course as ship; sounded as we overtook. All we could see were rolls on surface. My guess is that neither whale would reach 40'. 2 Tropic birds in sight about 1:30 (tail color ?) at 4:32 P.M. Passed Vanavana Island to port - 3-4 miles. Lush vegetation - coconut palms. Greatest elev. 15 ft. Our first landfall since Albemarle in the Galápagos. Prob. trop. birds 7 White terns (?) fishing about 1 mi. to port as we approached island. Vanavana is a S.E. out post of the Tuamotu group. Occasionally visited by natives. Undistinguished sunset but pink streamers rayed out for a few minutes. Moon again beautiful. Read + slept most of P.M. Steam + ice cream for dinner. Captain invited Geoff + me for cocktails. Sun is very strong. Even the glare burns my face.