Carol sponsored food for the crossing of the Caribbean Sea and even helped us buy and transport it to our boat. With the help of family Brunt (MSI), Yanick and Patrick Bayard (SEA CHEST), Hans Oriel, Michael Bornn, Craig and Eric Kerchoff we got a digital camera from DASWANI INC to document our expedition in movable pictures. Eric Miles will burn a DVD with this material for acquiring better help and sponsorship on our way around the world.
Before we set our sails we want to thank everybody on the Virgin Island helping or supporting us. We will never forget the great hospitality we expierenced on the V.I.
Our new member Gary Ray sailed with us from Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, to his seaside home on St. John. He is a professor at the University of the Virgin Islands. He studies the community dynamics of tropical dry forests. He collaborates with the Smithsonian Institution on the establishment of a permanent network of forest monitoring plots throughout the Caribbean. His vision of building a natural history museum for the Virgin Islands, and its role in teaching islanders about their indigenous natural heritage, intersects with the Top-toTop global mission.
Gary will assist the expedition in making personal connections among professionals and conservationists in Hawaii. He spent four years in Hawaii in the late 1990’s as a conservation coordinator in rare plant conservation. His training as a restoration ecologist was useful in collaborations with local plant conservation managers. Colleagues in conservation at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, in federal agencies and NGO’s will form a network in advance of our arrival.
On Tuesday we begin filming with White Princess in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.