Thor Heyerdahl is my rolemodel. The Kon-Tiki Expedition is adventure in its truest form. What can I say? I have a deep respect for ancient cultures and I truly believe they were more advanced than we think. They had no electricity or computers to destract them, so instead they were able to study the stars in the dark night (something we have lost). Also, they were just as curious as we are today, so it goes without saying that they would travel a little bit further with every passing generation - by boat or other means. Also, ancient civilizations didn't have writing systems like we do (athough the Mayas and Aztecs had very well developed books, and the Incas recorded things in their kipu - complex strings and knots), so 'legends' were the way to pass on information. Our task, therefore, is to untangle these legends to recover the truth in them. Thor Heyerdahl had many critics, but fundamentaly I believe he wanted to remind us that forgotten civilizations were as advanced as we are (in their own way) but in the end we are all just as fragile.