Third Configuration Summary

The young Costa Rican customs officer nervously warns Thorne about the lack of gasoline, supplies and roads on Isla Sorna. Thorne assures the man that his expedition is prepared and that they hope to leave Isla Sorna within two days. Reluctantly, the officer acknowledges that Thorne's permit from the Department of Biological Preserves is in order. He stamps him through. Later, Thorne gets his first view of Isla Sorna from the helicopter. The pilot tells Thorne he has never visited Sorna but believes there must be a landing site because Americans used to fly out to the island some ten years ago. From the helicopter, "Thorne glimpsed rugged, volcanic terrain, overgrown with dense jungle. There was no sign of life, or of human habitation." (pg. 103) The pilot points out the cliff side of the island as the landing area for boats...