The Kon-Tiki set sail for the Polynesian Islands. Thor Heyerdahl wanted to prove it was possible that the Islanders came from South America using the sailing tech in pre-Columbian times. That meant building a raft made from balsa logs. Pretty crude stuff, frankly. Most anthropologists do not think that emigration happened, but it was an interesting exercise for sure.
I read the book as a teenager, and was fascinated by the tales of fishing, sailing difficulties, eating field rations, and the strain the men felt in their relationships. It's a good read, for sure.
The book "Kon Tiki" was on our "Summer Reading List" when I was in grade school.
ReplyDeleteI was fascinated by it.
I loved those books!!! I still have the copies I brought home from my dad's old book store. Been trying to get the son to read them
ReplyDeleteI remember thinking of how it would be sailing on the Kon Tiki. The thoughts are still compelling.
ReplyDeleteI too read it and loved it. what ever happened to him? Didn't he sail one made of reeds to from Egypt one time also?
ReplyDeleteRobert: I had to look it up - Ra and RaII were the names of the boats he sailed from Morocco. I had forgotten about that.
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