29 
I never got to Seaside in Port Vila, where the Tongarikians live, and 
did not see Willie Suran, the boy with severe reduction deformities, again, 
although I had promised to visit him. 
If only we can do a good medical job, I shall be happy. If the work 
also permits exploring and enjoying the island families at night, I shall 
be most happy. 
Don has prepared from notes I have given him a "fact sheet" and a 
sketch map of Merelava, one copy for each scientist — now we are ten! 
Off Merelava, Banks Islands September 20, 1972 
We are here! I was awakened by Walter at 5 a.m. and found Merelava 
looming to our east, as dawn appeared, and off to the northwest, Merig 
rising like a pebble from the sea. Star peak, rising from the sea, is no 
less exciting than it was in 1963 from the L* Orientaise , and I am very 
near to tears of joy at being here once again. When I last left Merelava 
I swore to myself to be back! 
Now I am dominated by anxiety about getting safely ashore with our 
party and supplies with our little skill in handling the small boats. I am 
filled with anticipation of what we can do on these next four days here. 
I awoke the others to share in the awesome sight of this giant cloud- 
covered, symmetrical Star peak rising abruptly from the sea. On the captain’s 
British Navigation Charts (19 ) , the island appears as more a sketch than 
as an accurately surveyed map. It is shown far more radially symmetrical than 
it is. It is listed as 2800 feet high, while the French chart we have listed 
it as +883 meters. The offshore stone pylon of the northeast is shown as seven 
feet high (two meters on the French map). Merig’s elevation is given as seven 
feet, or two meters on the French map. 
St. Paul Lekwel, Merelava September 20, 1972 
We first pulled near to shore at St. Steven, or "Mission Basis," as the 
local native who came out in a conoe to greet us called the place. He told 
us that landing would be easier than on the north shore, but since we want 
to be based at St. Paul Lekwel, at the school and dispensary, we did not 
accept his suggestion, and instead reapproached the coast further northward. 
Around to the north of St. Stevens we found a deserted landing above high 
cliff-liek rocks below St. Luke Levetmese, and since there were no people here 
to help us over these steep rocks, we went on northeast to the landing below 
St. Paul’s , where over a dozen people assembled on the landing below the 
village. It is here that we decided to try to land, and we have made it success- 
fully. Jean and I came ashore first and climbed the cliffs to the village, 
where I quickly explained our purpose to the people. Head teacher, Judah Butu, 
and teacher Dimas Boy, and Dresser Andrew Gon, all met us at the landing. 
Immediately it was clear that we were welcome. 
