Supplemental Log:
Bay of the Virgins, Fatu Hiva, Marquesas
Date: 5/3/01 12:59:56 PM Pacific Daylight Time

      At sunrise Saturday, April 28 we sighted the lush volcanic island looming up out of the Pacific. We glided into the Bay of Virgins, a mini fjiord carved out of ancient lava flow. Giant spires of lava line both sides of the bay. At different light the many types of moss and plants growing on the lava make multiple Tiki faces. Like one's first view of the Grand Canyon, pictures and words do not do justice to the view.
     At the head of the bay lies a small village housing about 200 people who live on a barter economy. There is no need to have francs; they don't want them. Rather, they prefer costume jewelry or candy to trade for bananas or pamplmouse or oranges. One exception is the baker who accepts only cash only bakes bread to fill orders, not for speculation.  
     Our anchor dropped at 8:30 am, April 28, 2001, 21 days to the hour of our departure 2950 miles earlier. Although bare breasted Polynesian maidens did not swim out to greet us, cruisers from an earlier arrival dinghied up and welcomed us with four ripe bananas. We whisked down a celebratory glass of champagne, pouring an ever so modest toast to Neptune, thanking him for our good and safe passage. We cleaned up and Mike and Stacy explored ashore. Ann and Jeff swam in deep steel blue 84 degree water. Pure exhilaration; what cleansing, what a natural feeling of being a part of it all.
      Later we will attend to repairing equipment that failed over the passage. You have no idea of what continuous motion in confused seas for three weeks does. Unless firmly bound, every lose body banged it's neighbor repeatedly for the three weeks. This produced damaging chafe in some critical places such as halyards, sails, and adjacent beer cans. While we have some challenging repairs ahead of us, we did quite well over all.
     Warm cheery hellos also greeted us from Aldebaran of Milwaukee, Aldebaran of Ireland, Someday Is Here, Calypso, Cap Dor, Argonauta, and other boats. Some we met earlier; others we knew only from checking in daily at the same hour to keep track of each others positions for safety.
     Last night we slept on deck, soundly, awaking only to realize that there was no need to take another turn at watch. This morning brings church for Mike & Stacy, then haircuts and boat chores, and of course, Sunday Bloody Marys and Beethoven.

Jeff & Ann Brooke Mike & Stacy Morrison
S/V High Drama
Bay of Virgins Fatu Hiva, Marquesas
French Polynesia