Bow of the Kon-Tiki: This balsa wood boat was constructed by Thor Heyerdahl, and was sailed 4,300 miles from South America to the Tuamotu Islands (a chain of atolls in French Polynesia). Heyerdahl's goal was to prove that boats like this could travel large distances, and that these two different cultures could intermingle.

I read the books "Kon-Tiki" and "The RA Expeditions" while in college. They were fascinating books, and well worth reading.

There are many web sites with information about Thor Heyerdahl and his adventures, but for some general information, please see this web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_Heyerdahl