MTF[PuristS]
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Indeed: Afonso de Albuquerque was more revered
Jan 17, 2015,06:52 AM
nilomis,
Of course, the Portugal connection with Brasil is well known.
We were taught that the first Viceroy of India was the military 'genius' Afonso de Albuquerque also known as Afonso the Great. He stretched the empire further East to Malacca (Melaka).
Still, that does not detract from Vasco da Gama's place in history as the leader of the 1st successfully returned expedition from Europe to India by sea.
What price success? Four ships set out to gain a 'factory' in India and tribute from Calicut. One ship was scuttled due to lack of crew to man it. Another ship was lost on the return. Half the expedition party died including Vasco's brother who commanded the 2nd ship.
Failure to establish the factory in India. Made enemies along the African coast and really 'upset' the ruler of Calicut.....er...war was declared and 'white man' had a reputation as 'red-haired devils' to this day. The slang term for Caucasian in Malaysia and Singapore today is 'red-haired devil'. 
The rewards were great:
- Spice cargo when sold far exceeded the cost of the expedition.
- Proof that the sea route around the Horn was possible.
- Established bragging rights for Portugal as navigators over Spain....Castille.
Regards,
MTF
This message has been edited by MTF on 2015-01-17 08:32:28
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Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer?
By: Luis6 : January 16th, 2015-17:36
So there is going to be a Montblanc "Portuguese / Explorer / Marine" sort of product line? Or simply a (yet another) special edition?
Correct on your answer!
By: mkt33 : January 17th, 2015-05:31
It is Vasco Da Gama. More info to come. Montblanc is being very tight lipped. This was all I could get out of them. CHeers, Mike
Anyone who did world explorer?...
By: KIH : January 16th, 2015-17:42
Anyone who did world explorer? :-) Very much looking forward! Thanks for the tip, Mike! Ken Ken Hokugo
Terrorist and mass murderer of muslims?
By: MTF : January 17th, 2015-01:22
Vasco da Gama was the 2nd Viceroy of India to be appointed (unbeknownst to the Indians themselves). He would have been the first appointed Viceroy but at that time, he had fallen out of grace with the King of Portugal. Obviously, he came back into favour ...
MTF at its best :)
By: Ares501 - Mr Green : January 17th, 2015-01:39
Kind of replies I respect you for and admire depth and width or better say circumference of your knowledge Best Damjan
What is this?!
By: mkt33 : January 17th, 2015-05:28
Violence in the history of man? Unheard of :-) I think Montblanc prefers that we focus only on the "PuristS" aspects of our character. In Vasco's case: The first to connect Europe and Asia by sea. Best, Mike PS- I don't know how MB is going to "connect" t...
I was being ironic :o)
By: MTF : January 17th, 2015-06:57
Mike, Yes, the fact that I still remember Vasco da Gama nearly 50 years after my school days shows his place in history and achievements. The irony I pointed out was that he was feted and bestowed honours in Europe for the same actions that garnered curse...
I study Vasco da Gama ...
By: nilomis : January 17th, 2015-05:49
But during that times, they only mentioned his feats, that are celebrated by Luís de Camões poem "Os Luzíadas". By and large, all "conquerors" were amazing violent and had a "license to kill". We should warn Montblanc, about the existence of a soccer team...
Indeed: Afonso de Albuquerque was more revered
By: MTF : January 17th, 2015-06:52
nilomis, Of course, the Portugal connection with Brasil is well known. We were taught that the first Viceroy of India was the military 'genius' Afonso de Albuquerque also known as Afonso the Great. He stretched the empire further East to Malacca (Melaka)....
If we consider that ...
By: nilomis : January 17th, 2015-11:50
The ships, made of wood without any protection, needs to carry carpenters to redo parts of the hull and when return to the home port only around 20% of the original wood was there. And The crew died like flies (scurvy, food poisoning etc.) And They sail w...
