Translation, page 3
Now on the journey from Lisbon to Kalenkuth (Calicut) one travels setting forth from Lisbon to the Konnarien (Canary Islands). They are located 300 miles from Lisbon; thence one proceeds to Kabawerd (Cape Verde), another 200 miles.1 There water is taken on board ship, and then it sails across the great gulf to the Kabedespranza (Cape of Good Hope), a distance of 120 miles. No land is found lying in between, and from Cape Verde on one encounters the black people. From the Cape of Good Hope it is a distance of 40 miles until one reaches water at Sand Prasz (St. Braz). There the natives go without clothes except for the barest covering to conceal their private parts.
Setting forth from St. Braz to Zappal (Sofala) the distance is 225 miles, from there to Mansawick (Mozambique) another 135 miles. Likewise from Mozambique to Mellina (Malindi) one travels 100 miles, and from there one sails across the great gulf, a distance of 40 miles to Agendina (Anjediva). Again from Anjediva to Canuare (Cananor) are another 33 miles. There ginger grows quite abundantly, and from there it is another 12 miles to Calicut. From Calicut it is 35 miles to Gudschin (Cochin); there our ships load all kinds of spices.
Again from Cochin it is 25 miles to Collan (Quilon); there live many who believe in the teachings of St. Paul. At this point some ships also load cargo. Again from there to Mellacka (Malacca) is a distance of 700 miles. Here cloves and nutmeg are abundant.
Furthermore, it is reported that on the 19th day of November (1503) there sailed from Lisbon to India two caravels and one ship which are to carry out the purpose as is set forth in the following. At first, namely, they are to ascertain whether it is now possible at all times to travel from Lisbon to India, even though they embarked at a time less favorable than usual.2
And in the second place, if they should call at all ports on the entire coast in the direction of Sant Thoma (St. Thomas Island) down as far as the Cape of Good Hope, would they find some sources of sweet water along the route. And if it should happen that they find sweet water then the King will have all fleets load an additional 400 quintals of spices.3 For at all events, they must take on sweet water at Calicut in order to have a sufficient supply until they reach Cababerd (Cape Verde). However, on their way to Calicut they must stop at Mansabigk (Mozambique).
Notes:
1. If these "miles" are converted to Portuguesew leagues of four miles each, some of the distances given approach correctness. The errors in the distance between Cape Verde and the Cape of Good Hope, and from Malindi to Anjediva, are so great as to indicate typographical errors.
2. Sailing from Lisbon for India in November was a radical departure from usual practice, since all of the previous fleets, except the first expedition of Da Gama, had sailed in March or April. This enabled them to take advantage of the wouthwest monsoon which blew from Africa toward India in the late summer months.
3. The quintal and bahar were the common units for measuring spices. A quintal was slightly in excess of one hundred pounds and a bahar consisted of four quintals and six pounds.