When the volcano on Krakatoa erupts , the families and Sherman escape on a platform held aloft by twenty balloons . As the platform drifts westward around the world , the families parachute off to India and Belgium to start their new lives . Sherman remains on the platform and finally descends onto the waters of the Atlantic Ocean , where he is rescued . The professor concludes his speech by telling the audience he intends to build an improved balloon for a year of life in the air , financed by the diamond cufflinks he obtained in Krakatoa
erupts
1883 eruption of Krakatoa
The Twenty-One Balloons