To the end of the world

This last week before moving I have been tying up loose ends and have started an activity that I haven't completed for over two years: reading and actually finishing a book. To the end of the world describes the amazing journey of Fernão Magelhães whose expedition became the first to circumnavigated the globe. The Portuguese captain-general sailing for his adopted king Carlos (later to become Carlos V) unfortunately didn't make it to the end. When our hero became involved in a Micronesian Island dispute he got injured and consequently cut to pieces by savage Islanders - led by their king Lapu Lapu. The rest of his fleet proceeded and only one boat - the Victoriá - made it back to Sevilla with 18 survivors (out of the 250 that sailed out three years before). Along the way these 18 men encountered new riches, mutiny, great storms, scheurby, giants, pigmees, angry Portuguese, new lands, kings and most important of all they had discovered a way around South America - later to become known as the Street of Magellan.

Whilst running through these last pages it dawned on me. Without comparing myself too much with my new hero I too am embarking on a new adventure. I too will be sailing for my new adopted King (Juan) Carlos which will take me to new unexplored places. This all of course without accusing my future countrymen of being savage man eating islanders. This web log will serve as a log of my adventures just as Pigafetta - Magelhães' trusty chroniceur - held his during his voyage to the end of the world.
Fernao Magelaes