The "Drifter"

Father and Sons on Leisure ly Cruise in Polynesia

By Robert (Bill) Westrem

DREAM came true. On September 1, 1933, three of us—Dad Westrem and his two sons, Bud and Bill—all novices a t sea, sailed out on the broad Pacific from Los Angeles, in the staunch little ship, “Driftef”, a 30ft. double-ended, sailing cutter built by themselves, on a cruise to the South Sea Islands—and. possibly, further.

Dad Westrem is 62 and a retired res taurant man. Bud and Bill are young sters just out of schoo l with the fer ment of adventure in their make-up.

We rocked and rolled and scouled and

grouled for sixty days; and, there be fore us, lay Nukuhiva Island, of the Marquesas Group, some 3,000 miles from Los Angeles. We had never navigated before, and knew little of the mysterious methods; but—God bless H.O. 203!—we made it.

For two months we sailed among the various islands of the Marquesas, par-

tially satisfying our desire to see native life, and enjoying the wonderful climate of this group, which is swept by the trade wind.

We Intended to stop at Takaroa, in the Tuamotus, as we were anxious to have a close view of the large barque, which is high and dry there; but as there was a strong wind and current, when just off the pass, we decided not to risk it and sailed on to Tahiti. We arrived on Janu ary 25, 1939.

Three months in Papeete is a joyous experience. Beauty—beauty—never-end ing beauty is the motif of this leisurely isle. Some people say it is sordid; but how can this be? We are only tyros in the philosophy of life; but we still are not so naive as to expect the town of Papeete to be filled with beautiful girls hastening to place wreaths of Ti’are Ta hiti about the shoulders of all incoming white men, and adoring these same per sons with their beautiful brown eyes— for love alone. No, Papeete is a town of commerce and trade, and is sophisti cated. But, never mind! We have en joyed our stay among the lovable people, in their wonderful clime.

Dad claims to have had enough of small-boat cruising, and is going home to Hollywood on one of the Union Co.’s boats from Papeete. Bud and Bill will then continue on around the world via the Leeward Islands (Society Group), Cook Islands, Samoa, Fiji. New Zealand.

Australia, and on to Europe.

Mr. J. H. K. Langley, of Ananuka, Gil bert Islands, is spending a long furlough in Melbourne, where he is receiving medi cal attention.