Life of a 1500s Explorer

Setting Sail

Mar 16, 1521

Today was our first day on our journey to an undiscovered land. We started out from Lisbon, Portugal. We have already made it out so far you can not even see the peninsula. Every one of the crew is healthy and ready for a difficult journey. Hopefully it doesn't get too difficult...

Massive Beast

Apr 5, 1521

Today we encountered an incredible beast. Its back tooth seemed to be as big as the ship itself. I scetched out what the beast appeared to be right after the event ended. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. We are right of the coast of Port de L'Amitie, Mauritana. Our ship carpenter has come down with some sort of illness already. We have left him in the brink with our ships surgeon until he has be cleared to return atop the ship.

First Rest Stop

Apr 22, 1521

After a little more than a month at sea, we stopped at the port Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. The people there were very freindly. We were treated to a meal at the prime ministers house. Our ship carpenter has sadly passed away due to the disease that he incountered in earlier April. I wonder if the disease is still around on the ship. Just in case it is, we bought vaccines for the ship from a local merchant.

Done at Last

Apr 24, 1521

We have reached our destination... finally! The crew has been great (Those that survived) and are ready to get a ride back home. I chose to stay where I lead my sailors to the end. -Captain Apllesoss McGee

Shipwrecked

Jun 3, 1521

We have crashed the ship. We went into a storm that I should have tried to avoid. We were struck by lightning and the fire from it burnt a hole in the hull of the ship. Luckily, We were right by the port Banana, Congo (DR). We will try to find a local who can help us get to Cape Town on time.

Hope Found

Jun 8, 1521

We regretedly started our journey upwards into the Republic of Congo. We found a Spanish merchant who told us where we were. He said that we were going the wrong way to Cape Town. He provided us with a guide to Cape Town. Now we'd be walking to the half way point in our journey. We just barely made due with the rations we managed to save from the shipwreck in the 3 or 4 days we marched upwards.

Journey to Cape Town

Period: Jun 9, 1521 to Jan 20, 1522

The journey went on for more than 200 days. The crew of 42 people was cut down to a crew of 27 people. Of all the people that dies, one was the captain of the ship. Now, I have taken cammand of the boat, or atleast I will once we finally get a boat. The tour guide was not very helpful throughout the trip. We had to go through the Gongo Basin to get there. We were very close to out of food when we finally arrive at Cape Town.

Corssing the River

Jun 13, 1521

Today we crossed the Congo River. I was confused why we didn't cross at the thinnest point of the river. The guide took us out of our way to find the river, and didn't know the right spot to cross. I don't even think he knows what country he is in. It was a devestating cross at Matadi. There were some sailors there that refused to help us cross. We lost most of out food and supplies. Over 10 people died... including the captain.

Cape Town

Jan 21, 1522

We have finally arrived at Cape Town. The people there were very helpful. We got our new ship from the Potugese Sailors and are ready for sail tomorrow. A kind Capetonian entreprenuer gave us 5 of his best men to go on the voyage with us. I am almost excited for what the rest of this trip has to offer.

Nosy Be

Feb 15, 1522

Today we went to one of the small ports in Madagascar, called Nosy Be. We plan to stay there about a month before we leave again. One of the local Capetonians that we took on our voyage tried to assasinate me in my sleep. He yelled something in a language I do not know and held a gun to my head until the Boatswain showed up with 2 of the other able seamen and arrested him. We have kep[t him with us until now. He'll be resting in the Nosy Be Prison for the rest of his life.

Not too Far from Being Done

Mar 16, 1522

Today is the year anniversary of when we left for our destination. Yesterday was the worst day of this experience, behind crossing the river. We were attacked by a pirate band in the Asian coast. They killed about three of the remaining volunteers from Cape Town and about another 3 of the remaining Portugese and Spanish sailors. Luckliy, we're almost done with the exploration.

Almost There

Apr 9, 1522

We are at the Portugese port in Sri Lanka, Galle. We'll stay here for 3 days until we finish our journey to Chittagong, Bangladesh. Hopefully the last bit of this little trip won't be as stressful...

Back at sea

Apr 30, 1522

We have had a great deal of joy at the port, Bissau. They have been very kind and very helpful. A crew of peasants trying to make a quick dollar. They agreed to fix any problems in our ship. Now we are back out to sea, settin course for Cape Town, South Africa, where Potugese traders are waiting for us with a new ship. If we keep at this pace, we could arive there within a couple of months.