Ascension in the Moonlight

I believe the theme of Ascension in the Moonlight by Simon Winchester is that any bad situation can turn into an amazing one and to appreciate the opportunities and people given to you. In the earlier segments of the passage Winchester is dying to get back home, as shown in the segment, "If I played my cards right, I could get myself out of here." Then the story progresses from him anxiously awaiting his arrival back home to him falling into some good luck and making the most out of the situation presented to him. This is shown by the major turn of events with him meeting the Reverend Paul Wilson and his wife Angela and seeing the sea turtles. You can also see the theme conveyed toward the conclusion in the passage when Winchester states, "And it was in that instant I realised something that in this astonishing grand conjunction...was perhaps the greatest wealth of experience that any one individual could ever know in one moment. I was at that instant blessed beyond belief, beyond all understanding." This shows Winchester understanding how lucky he was to be in that situation that originally he viewed as a negative one. This is further exemplified in the quote from Winchester's tailor: "You know, you are a very, very lucky man indeed. Lucky to be in such a place. Lucky to see such things. And luckiest of all to meet such very kind people. I envy you. Everyone must envy you. Wherever would you be - have you ever wondered? -- without all their kindness, and without all this luck?" This shows how appreciative Winchester is for the experience and the people in his life.