Duck takeover!

Okay kids, listen up. This is Pablo T Duck taking over this webpage to spill the beans.

Yes, duck – as in, Eight Men and a Duck – that’s me in the title! Not that I even get my actual name on the front, unlike Nick Thorpe. But that’s authors for you, always wanting the glory, but not all they’re quacked up to be, if you know what I mean.

If you’re in school I’m guessing he’ll give you the glossy version of the story: eight heroic adventurers set out to sail 2500 miles from Chile to Easter Island on a home-made boat made of bundled reeds, right? Battling with storms and dodging sharks and jumping off the mast like stunt men? Well that’s only half the story!

Now the whole truth is going to come out. Call it a mutiny if you like, ‘cos I’m here to tell you a few dark secrets about what really went on out there on the Pacific Ocean. Interested? Okay, brace yourselves, because it ain’t pretty…

3 SHOCKING FACTS ABOUT THE VIRACOCHA VOYAGE

WHERE DID THEY POOP?

There was no toilet, so guess what: those humans did it where the fish do it – in the sea! It gets worse: sometimes they’d do it in a bucket right in front of my little enclosure – gross! – and then throw it overboard (they even used to shout “duck!” which is pretty insulting when you think about it). Too much information, right?

NICK THORPE WAS RUBBISH AT FISHING 

He likes showing that picture of him holding a tuna, but that was just about the only fish I ever saw him catch! It was the Frenchman, Stephane, who usually pulled in all the fish. Nick Thorpe was usually too busy writing stuff in a book or interviewing his crewmates for his book. He should have interviewed me!

IT WAS A ONE WAY TRIP FOR ME!

We made it all the way to Easter Island – but I’m the only one who stayed! The eight crew members burned their boat in a big ceremony, and flew home! But ducks don’t travel on planes, so I got adopted by a family on Rapa Nui – that’s what us locals call Easter Island. So I’m the resident expert if you have any questions?

Do you have questions for Pablo or Nick? If so, email them here and we’ll try and answer them!

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