The Incredible Journey of Kon Tiki: Sailing Across the Pacific on a Balsawood Raft

Imagine setting sail on a daring adventure across the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean on a humble raft made entirely of balsawood. Sounds impossible, right? Well, that's exactly what the crew of the legendary Kon Tiki did back in 1947. This is the remarkable story of their impossible voyage that captivated the world and pushed the boundaries of human exploration.

The Vision

The mastermind behind this audacious plan was a Norwegian explorer and writer named Thor Heyerdahl. Inspired by his fascination with pre-Columbian South American cultures and their possible connection to Polynesia, Heyerdahl set out to prove his theory that ancient mariners could have traveled across the Pacific from the east. The Kon Tiki expedition was conceived as a means to gather evidence and challenge scientific consensus at the time.

The Raft

To recreate the conditions of a prehistoric voyage, Heyerdahl and his crew built a raft using only materials and methods available to ancient civilizations. The raft was constructed from nine large balsawood logs lashed together with hemp ropes. The vessel measured 30 feet in length and 15 feet in width, with a small hut at the center to provide shelter from the elements.

The Impossible Voyage of Kon-Tiki

by Deborah Kogan Ray (Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14510 KB
Print length	:	40 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

With no modern navigational aids, the crew relied on celestial observations, prevailing winds, ocean currents, and their own intuition to guide them across the vast ocean. The lack of a motor or sail meant that they were entirely at the mercy of nature, making their journey all the more challenging and perilous.

The Crew

Heyerdahl handpicked a diverse crew of five men for the Kon Tiki expedition. Each member brought unique skills and experiences to the table. There was Bengt Danielsson, a Swedish ethnologist and navigator, Erik Hesselberg, an artist and adventurer from Norway, Knut Haugland, a radio expert and war hero from Norway, Torstein Raaby, a young seaman from Norway, and Herman Watzinger, an engineer from Sweden.

The Journey

On April 28, 1947, the Kon Tiki set sail from Callao, Peru, venturing into the Pacific Ocean with no certainty of what lay ahead. The crew faced numerous challenges, including treacherous waves, blistering heat, and encounters with marine life. At one point, they even had a near collision with a whale!

Despite the odds stacked against them, their spirits remained unbroken as they sailed onward, documenting marine life, collecting data, and experiencing the sheer wonder of being adrift in the vastness of the Pacific. The crew members took turns fishing, cooking, and capturing their journey on film and in written journals.

The Impact

After 101 days at sea, covering over 4,300 nautical miles, the Kon Tiki finally made landfall on the remote Raroia Atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago. The crew had not only defied the odds but also proven Heyerdahl's theory that ancient civilizations could have migrated across the Pacific.

News of their incredible journey spread like wildfire around the world, and the crew members became instant celebrities. Heyerdahl's book "The Kon-Tiki Expedition: By Raft Across the South Seas" further immortalized their remarkable accomplishment, selling millions of copies and inspiring future generations of explorers.

The Legacy

The Kon Tiki expedition remains an enduring symbol of human courage, curiosity, and determination. It showcased the power of unconventional thinking and the willingness to dream big. Heyerdahl's audacity to challenge established knowledge and go against prevailing beliefs paved the way for further exploration and discovery.

The raft itself now resides in Oslo, Norway, preserved as a testament to the triumph of human spirit over adversity. Heyerdahl's legacy lives on through various foundations and museums dedicated to promoting scientific research and preserving the world's marine heritage.

In

The impossible voyage of Kon Tiki is a reminder that no dream is too audacious, no challenge too great when fueled by unwavering determination and belief. Heyerdahl and his crew proved that with a courageous spirit and a willingness to push boundaries, the impossible becomes possible. Their remarkable journey across the Pacific Ocean continues to inspire and captivate the imaginations of people around the world.

The Impossible Voyage of Kon-Tiki

by Deborah Kogan Ray (Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14510 KB
Print length	:	40 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Combining history with culture, the ocean with exploration, and risk with triumph—this rich offering is the only picture book account of Thor Heyerdahl's world-famous Kon-Tiki expedition, during which he sailed a raft 5,000 miles from the coast of South America to the islands of the South Pacific.

Author Deborah Kogan Ray clearly and succinctly sets up how Norwegian anthropologist Heyerdahl became convinced that ancient Peruvians arrived in the South Pacific via raft, why he wanted to re-create the voyage, and how he planned for it. She uses primary-source quotations on each spread to shore up the factual history of the events portrayed in the book. Her illustrations add emotion to this harrowing journey.