Saturday 28 February 1953 (cont) Will pass small uninhabited island tomorrow "Vanavana" on our port; Austral Island (Tubuai) Chief mate treated us to Tasmanian cider. Slept on flying bridge until 1:00 A.M. Captain made unexpected tour of bridge after midnight. Sunday 1 March 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 25 hr. Av sp 14.80 K Wind-light airs; Sea smooth T.T. 10 d 17 hr 35 min. To Brisbane 3776; from Balboa 3929 mi. 2 whales sighted soon after 12 noon. One passed to port, blowing (short round spout). Little exposure. 2nd on same 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. we passed Vanavana Island to port 3-4 miles. Lush vegetation, coconut palms. Greatest elev. 15 feet. Our first landfall since Albemarle in the Galápagos. 7 white terms (?)—prob. trop. birds—fishing about 1 mile to port as we approached island. Vanavana is a S.E. outpost 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. Steak & ice cream for dinner. Captain invited Geoff & me for cocktails. Sun is very strong. Even the glare burns my face. Monday 2 March 1953 On deck at 6:30 A.M. Calm sea. Swells still rolling ship. Cool breeze. Studied "N.G. Rodents" until breakfast at 7:30. Spent A.M. in shade reading. One tropic bird sighted—did not come in close. Squalls about all day. Never last more than a few minutes. Studied in P.M. & took nap until dinner. Geoff told me George Tate's life history and we talked over future of Archbold Expeditions and the Mammal Dept. Poor sunset. Cool on deck. Lat 22°04'S; Long 144°04'W. Course 252°T. Dist 354 St.T. 24 hr. Av sp 14.75 K. Wind N 2. Sea smooth. T.T. 11 d 17 hr 35 min. To Brisbane 3422; Balboa 4283 mi. Tuesday 3 March 1953 On deck at 6:15 A.M. Tubuai Island in sight. Bearing 270° at 6:30 A.M. Lat 23°23'S; Long 143°26'W. 5 miles long (E & W) 3 mi wide. Well wooded. Mt. Taita 1309' E. end; Tonarutu 1024' (SW end). Sailing directions (Vol II 1940) pop 500. Barrier reef, partly submerged, surround island. The Austral Islands are a scattered group of 5 islands—fringing coral reefs. 335 mi due south of Tahiti. 7 peaks at west end of island. Some remind me of the Glasshouse Mts. near Brisbane with their fantastic shapes. Some good duck hawk cliffs.