Based on Allan Sekula’s documentary, we know that up till this date, maritime trade has been one of the busiest, yet highly used form of trade. Also, trade through the sea would allow people of diverse cultures to interact, despite their land being separated by treacherous waters. It still fascinates me knowing that back in the 16th century, maritime technology was not as advanced as compared to the present, and yet many took risks to cross the borders of the sea in search of better goods through trade, and to discover parts of the world unknown to them. Also, the ocean remained an unfamiliar subject to most men back then, which would explain why their voyages would take years to complete since they mostly ventured along the coasts.
Knowing that helped me to be more appreciative of how fast and efficient travelling and trading is today. Mail would arrive within a week or two from UK to Singapore, which would have taken months to deliver a century back.