National Geographic Specials Season 3 Episode 1 Kon-Tiki: The Incredible True Story

In the season 3 premiere of National Geographic Specials, viewers will be transported back in time to an incredible true story of adventure and exploration. The episode, titled "Kon-Tiki: The Incredible True Story", chronicles the journey of Norwegian explorer and writer Thor Heyerdahl as he attempts to prove his theory that ancient South Americans could have settled Polynesia by floating on rafts across the Pacific Ocean.

The episode begins by introducing viewers to Heyerdahl, who had been interested in the migration patterns of Pacific Islanders for many years. After studying old legends and artifacts, he became convinced that Polynesians could have migrated from South America by raft. To prove his theory, he planned to build his own raft and float it from Peru to Polynesia, a journey of over 4,000 miles.

Heyerdahl and his team spent months preparing for the journey, building a raft out of balsa wood and other materials they believed ancient South Americans would have used. They also assembled a crew of five other men, all of whom were Norwegian except for one Swede. The crew trained for months to prepare for the physical demands of the journey, which would take them across the vast and often treacherous Pacific Ocean.

The episode then follows Heyerdahl and his team as they set sail from Peru on their raft, which they named Kon-Tiki after an ancient Incan sun god. The journey was incredibly challenging, with the crew facing a number of obstacles including rough seas, equipment failures, and even shark attacks. They also struggled with limited food and water supplies, as well as the psychological toll of spending over 100 days at sea with no land in sight.

Throughout the journey, Heyerdahl and his team remained committed to their mission, determined to prove that ancient South Americans could have made the voyage to Polynesia. Along the way, they collected data and made observations that would later become essential to the field of oceanography. They also became unlikely heroes back home in Norway, with people around the world following their progress in the newspapers and on the radio.

The episode concludes with the crew's triumphant arrival in Polynesia, where they were greeted as heroes by the local people. Though some scientists initially dismissed Heyerdahl's theory, the success of the Kon-Tiki expedition ultimately helped to change the way people thought about ancient migration patterns. Heyerdahl went on to become one of the most famous explorers of his time, inspiring countless others to follow in his footsteps.

"Kon-Tiki: The Incredible True Story" is a thrilling and inspiring episode of National Geographic Specials, offering a fascinating look at one of the most daring expeditions in history. Viewers will be captivated by Heyerdahl's story of determination and courage, as well as the breathtaking beauty and danger of the open ocean. This episode is a must-see for anyone interested in exploration, science, and the human spirit.