Exploration in the 1500's

First Day at Sea

Sep 21, 1534

We started our exploration of Africa today. The rest of the crew has strength and is nice enough, but we're not here to make friends. We're here to explore and follow the captain's orders. While we're on the topic of the captain, he's a very intelligant, passoniate individual. He has a love for the ship that no one else seems to understand, even though it's just a small carrack with hammocks for beds. He loves the life out here and I'm honored to be in his command.

8th day at Sea

Sep 29, 1534

The days our rough, but we're slowly getting closer to our first port. Feeding so many men the same thing every night feels alomst impossible. The crew is all finally realizing what they've gotten into. Preserving food, sleeping in hammocks, hard labor, infections. All these things are common amoung the ship and I know they will get worse. The captain is optimistic. He still has the same enthusiasm as he did that first day. All I want is to get to the port and see that we're getting somewhere.

Another day at Sea

Oct 5, 1534

We've gotten so close to the port, ..., We're now only a few days away. The whole crew is excited and ready to be on land, even if it's only for a short amount of time. Food is low, but there's enough to last us. Gordon got infected last week with an illness that's new to us. Issac, the ship's closest thing to a doctor, is doing the best he can to get him to the port. He's not on his death bed quite yet. When we get to port I'll write again.

First port

Oct 7, 1534

We've finally gotten to our first port in Africa. It's called Mombasa. The people are all kind and welcoming. They call it the city of salt and spice. That's what the picture is of. It's pretty hot here, though, especially for October. On the bright side we're planning to stock up on food and supplies. Gordon is getting better and getting more help now that we're on land. We'll only be here a few days, but I'm glad it's something.

2nd port

Oct 13, 1534

We've gottem to our second port in less than a week. Captain said this will be the shortest amount of time between the ports. It's been about 3 weeks since we started our expedtion and everyone is getting run down from all the work at sea. I'm glad we have another resting time before we head back out. No one else has been ill other than the occasional upset stomachs. They produce cinnamon here in Zanzibar. It's similar to Mombasa in the fact that they're both big in spices.

Storm at Sea

Oct 18, 1534

It feels like we've just left Zanzibar and this should be a peaceful day, but the hardships are setting in. A storm ripped through the ocean yesterday taking us the ship with it. We've got some damage to the carrack, but not enough to keep us from moving on. We almost got tossed off the ship countless times, but somehow we all managed to stay on board. The storm affected everyone, physically and mentally. The captain is taking it easier on us today, but we still need to do the basics.

3rd port

Oct 31, 1534

It's Halloween today and everyone at home is celebrating. I wish I could too, but I'm in Mozambique. I miss home sometimes, but I can't do anything about it. Of coarse, I don't mind being here or exploring. I'm just homesick I guess. Everyone here speaks Portugese so it's hard to understand, since only a few guys on the crew speak enough to get us supplies and what we need. They also grow a root that's very common here. It's called cassava. Here's a picture of it. It's not very good eaten raw.

4th port

Nov 23, 1534

We've just gotten to Sofaia, Africa. After this we only have one more port until the end of our journey. It's humid, even now, in November. This port isn't as nice as the others, but I'm not complaining. I'm just happy we're on land again. We haven't been on solid ground for almost a month. Things on the ship have been better. The people here are welcoming and give us what we need, like the new supplies for the ship. It hasn't been an eventful month.

5th port

Dec 27, 1534

We're at out last new port of the expedition. The Cape of Good Hope, what agreat place to end our journey. The captain is proud of all our work and is gald he's done what he set out to do. Everyone is celebrating to know that we'll be home soon. I'm as excited as ever to know i'll be in fimilar territory from now on. This place is beuatiful. I've nevr seen so many differnt flowers/plants. They're all new to us.

Heading home

Dec 30, 1534

We're on our way back home. I'm excited that we're going home, but sad that there's no more adventure. I've seen a lot and experienced a lot and I'm glad I got too. I couldn't have spent it with any other group of people than I did. There were high & lows but it was all worth it.