The World’s great explorers traveled for many reasons, many of them not always admirable. Yet the best results came from those pioneers who possessed a pure sense of curiosity and combined it with a straightforward wish to learn more. This, it seems to me, was the way my colleagues on board the MS Endeavour approached their own journeys. In a world whose last “hidden” corners can now be reveled to visitors with the help of modern technology – Zodiacs, inflatable kayaks, VHF radio links and so forth – I see that approach as worthy succession to those who first described these places. And where the broader picture has been damaged in some degree, whether by insensitive modern development, by over-exploitation of resources, or by pollution, the expert staff who accompanied us showed us how to look more closely, how to focus on the particular, to see and appreciate the plants, the fauna, the geological record, the footprints of history, and recapture for ourselves the sense of wonder of those initial discoverers.
Tim Severin, Guest Lecturer and Discoverer.
Ever since I had read Tim Severin’s Brendon Voyage I had dreamed of traveling with such a modern day explorer and adventurer. Some time ago I had suggested to Sven Lindblad that we approach Tim to come on one of the Endeavour voyages as a guest lecturer since every one of Lindblad Expeditions’ trips is quite unique and are adventures in themselves, albeit under much more comfortable conditions than those undertaken by Tim. During this voyage I think all of us have felt quite fortunate to have Tim as a shipmate and to have him share our experiences. But also to have learned about his unique adventures through his fascinating programs and also in friendly personal discussions through out this Trans-Atlantic voyage. As a finale we celebrated on the pool deck within sight of the Bahian coastline of Brazil with the national drink – caiprinha.