The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

The Jewel of Arabia’s Legacy

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 18:00:00 +0000

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition was planned with legacy and enduring impact in mind. In this, the final podcast we hear once again from project patrons HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH Theyazin Al Said and learn how several legacy projects are now evolving in Oman, and around the world.

Stay connected with The Jewel of Arabia online and on social media to hear about the international lecture series and the expedition book, both of which will be launched towards the end of 2025.

And if The Jewel of Arabia has whetted your appetite for Oman and its natural beauty then our next incredible journey in The Middle East, Oman 3165 will be announced later this year, with all the details appearing here www.exploringwithpurpose.uk

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

Meet Oman’s Mr. Sustainability

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 02:00:00 +0000

Dr. Mohab Al Hinai, Vice President of Sustainability and Circular Economy at Oman Environmental Services Holding Company - Be’ah is a self-confessed sustainability junkie, leading transformative initiatives that drive sustainability and circular economy principles across The Sultanate. His diary is so busy that I only managed to catch up with him at the end of our Jewel of Arabia, but it was worth the wait as a fascinating discussion ensued….!

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Wetland reserves, raptor restaurants, camera trapping and an emotional school welcome

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 03:05:00 +0000

From the massive wetland reserve of Bar al Hikmann to the man made reed beds filtering polluted water. From Oman’s first wind farm to the opening of raptor restaurants. From camera trapping hyenas to the rapturous welcome and start of the expedition legacy at Knowledge Gate International School Muscat.

In this second of a two-part podcast, Expedition Leader Mark Evans looks back on some of his personal highlights from the 30 day expedition starting at the birdwatcher's paradise of Bar al Hikmann and taking us down the rest of Thomas’s route to Salalah before turning back for Muscat and the start of the Jewel of Arabia legacy.

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Starlit skies, sustainable camping, turtles and the call to prayer.

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 03:00:00 +0000

From the shores of The Indian Ocean to the starlit skies of 1000 night camp. From the sounds of the desert to the call to prayer. From protected turtles to the very first all-terrain wheelchair in The Middle East.

In this first of a two-part podcast, Expedition Leader Mark Evans looks back on some of his personal highlights from the 30 day expedition starting on the beach near Ras Al Haad and taking us down to Masirah Island just off the mainland coast of Oman.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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“It’s not the journey, it’s the message” – Expedition Legacy

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In the days after the end of the expedition the team have dispersed and travelled home. Nigel to the Lake District in England, Ana-Maria to Switzerland, Dikra and Ibrahim to their families in Oman. But before they left, Mark, took a moment to get them all to look back on the expedition, their personal highlights, and the things that have really struck them about the drive for a more sustainable and biodiverse in this beautiful country.

There are wonderful stories of wildlife, of communication, of warm welcoming hospitality, or natural beauty and much much more.

As the Jewel of Arabia now looks towards education and legacy, It was perhaps Ibrahim who summed it all up so well… The Jewel of Arabia isn’t just the journey, it’s the message.

Mark goes back to school in Muscat – Expedition Legacy

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Now the physical expedition has drawn to an end the legacy and engagement aspects of the Jewel of Arabia ramp up.

Over the last 3 days Mark and the team have spoken to over 1,500 young Omani’s about the expedition, how they have been following it, but most importantly, how they will look to the future from what they have learnt.

To find out what young people have been learning Mark visited the Knowledge Gate International school in Muscat where he was welcomed by 600 super enthusiastic pupils and the bagpipes.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

A civic welcome to Salalah and honeybadgers – Expedition Diary Day 30

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Mark and the team have arrived at their destination, the 2nd city of Oman, Salalah. The last couple of days have been a whirlwind of visits from students from British School Salalah, joining The British Council hackathon and something very special captured on the daily trail cameras set near their overnight campsites.

In amongst all of this, the team were formally received in Salalah by His Highness Sayyid Marwan Al Said, Governor of Dhofar. In front of a local audience, including His Excellency Salim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism and His Excellency Azzan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Mark talked the guests through the expedition and the remarkable sights and sounds of sustainability and biodiversity the team found in Oman.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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Arabian wolves, Wadi Darbat and leopard reintroductions – Expedition Diary Day 26

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 07:00:00 +0000

On the last walking day of the expedition, the team followed Thomas’s diary notes to trace his route down into Wadi Darbat, Which during the monsoon season becomes raging torrent of a river. Of course, this amount of water brings with it life. So after the team had scrambled and crawled their way down to the wadi bed through thick thorny undergrowth, they were treated with the sight of azure blue river pools that teemed with fish life and so also attracting a huge variety of birdlife too. A very special place to visit as they approach Salalah.

Every night Mark has been setting a camera trap. See some of what they have captured on the Expedition Instagram, but last night was very special when the camera caught an Arabian wolf eating some leftover lamb carcass left as bait.

In the Dhofar mountains the team are deep in Arabian leopard territory, to round up this episode Mark describes a multinational reintroduction programme for the Arabian leopard.

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Paradise in Southern Arabia – Expedition Diary Day 25

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Now in the southern region of Oman, Mark and the Jewel of Arabia team have arrived in the region Bertram Thomas referred to as Arabia Felix. Mark describes this as one of his favourite places in the world.

The landscape has changed from rough, rocky and arid desert to rich, lush green, almost tropical looking . The wildlife has changed too, they caught the first bat on their camp trail camera last night. In was a treeless landscape apart from a few acacia and frankincense trees today the team visited the largest living land species in Oman, giant baobab trees at Wadi Hanna. This landscape couldn’t be more different from the sands of The Empty Quarter where the team were just a few days ago.

It is very easy to see why Thomas referred to this area of Oman as Arabia Felix.

And as the expedition starts to near its end point of Salalah, Marks looks ahead to the welcome and visits planned for the next few days.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

Turning landfill sites into raptor restaurants – Expedition Diary Day 24

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 09:10:00 +0000

Oman lies on a major migratory flyway between Arabia and Asia. It is also blessed with a huge diversity of indigenous birdlife. But for many species over many years, the easiest and most abundant source of food was found at landfill sites.

For many reasons this wasn’t ideal. But furthermore as Oman has reduced the amount and type of waste sent to landfill there was a consequential knock on effect to many, some critically endangered, species.

The solution has been to develop a series of so called “raptor resturants”. Where food and food industry waste can be set out in secure areas for bird species to come and feed on.

The mutual benefits to humans and birdlife is huge as Mark found out when he spoke to Ahmed Al Zubair a Senior Sustainability Strategist behind the birdlife buffets

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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Frankincense at Wadi Dawqah World Heritage Site – Expedition Diary Day 23

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Spread across 3,500 acres in Oman’s Dhofar region, Wadi Dawqah is home to the world’s largest protected Boswellia sacra forest, a place where thousands of frankincense trees have flourished over the centuries. This is where the most sustainable, ethical and transparent source of frankincense begins its thousand-year-old journey into the world.

After visiting the site, Mark talks to Matt Wright about the vision for the future of sustainable frankincense and creating the world’s first smart forest.

The Land of Frankincense World Heritage Site

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

Ubar, The Atlantis of the Sands – Expedition Diary Day 22

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

From the edge of the Rub’ al Khali Mark tells the story of the ancient lost city of Ubar, the legendary lost city in the largest sand desert on earth. In his previous expedition, The Heart of Arabia, Mark retraced Philby’s effort to find Ubar, which ultimately failed, but considering the significance of the place, the Jewel of Arabia team wanted to visit some of the possible locations.

Possible locations, because Philby wasn’t the only British explorer to have searched for Ubar, T. E Lawrence, Thomas, Thesinger and Ranulph Fiennes have all made efforts to find the Atlantis of the Sands.

It was during Fiennes search that artefacts were discovered, and excavations began. Mark and the team were given a guided tour of the site as it is today from some local guides.

Ubar was significant because it was the last guaranteed watering hole for camels on the trade routes before heading into the Rub al Kahli. But, climate change and human extraction mean that today the well is dry.

The icing on today’s cake though was to meet an old Bedouin friend who had a photograph of himself travelling with Wilfred Thesinger along the same route.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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Oman’s first wind farm at Harwheel - Expedition Diary Day 21

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 09:10:00 +0000

Today the team passed the Harwheel wind farm, which is Oman’s first wind farm and made up of 13 turbines.

With a target of achieving net zero by 2050, the transition to a renewable and sustainable future is underway; Oman has set itself the challenge of becoming a global green energy hub, and a regional and world leader in the production of green hydrogen, a journey overseen by inspirational individuals such as Dr Firas Al Abduwani.

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The kindness of strangers – Expedition Diary Day 20

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The British explorer, Wilfred Thesiger wrote that it’s impossible to be alone in the Arab world. This is a sentiment echoed by Mark and the team as they have travelled through Oman.

After the toughest day of the expedition so far yesterday, day 20 of the expedition was the complete opposite.

The day started with a walk along a beautiful, deserted beach of white sands and azure, blue water before they arrived at an abandoned fishing village. Before long some other travellers arrived and soon conversation over coffee was in full flow.

Mark describes his love for the hospitality and generosity of the Omani people. Because later in the day they met the fisherman would refuse any money for the fish he insisted the team cook around the campfire that night, the mechanic who helped fix the shredded tyre wanted only a smile and the coffee shop owner who heard the expedition team had arrived at his coffee shop insisted the round of coffees was a gift from him to the team.

Mark reflects on this being one of the many things that makes the country so special for him.

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Wind, rain, triliths and sabkha – Expedition Diary Day 19

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

At the end of a long and tiring day, Mark talks to us from one of his favourite campsites in all of Oman. He is sitting in a cave, ospreys are circling overhead and the team are about to bed down, exhausted.

24 hours ago they were looking at looking at night sky when they noticed the stars disappear and felt the first drop of rain. The rain came and was followed by strong winds which led them to trying to quickly store and protect everything in camp. In the morning the weather had passed over.

Mark had been told about an incredible archaeological site near by that was full of trilith fossils, what they were and what their purpose was is still unclear, but they went up a nearby wadi to find them.

As they continued their journey later in the day the challenges began. A punctured tyre led to a shredded tyre and some route redesigning. But just as they approached their stopover where Mark talks to us from now, they encountered sabkha, which is like slippery, muddy quicksand.

But the team worked incredibly well together again, freeing one of the vehicles and reaching camp to rest after what has been a long and exhausting day.

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Bauer Nimr Reedbeds – Expedition Diary Day 18

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 07:00:00 +0000

After a tough day yesterday walking face into a sandstorm, Mark and the team have headed inland to learn about the Bauer Nimr Reedbeds.

Visible from space, the Bauer Nimr reedbeds are the largest manmade reedbed on earth. Their role is both fascinating and vital. The plantation is a multi-award winning flagship project for the biological cleaning of polluted water from oil production at the Nimr oil field in the south of Oman.

At peak times, up to 175,000 m³ of polluted water currently runs through the plant in one day, Nearly 95% of the crude oil in the water can be removed or recovered without the use of energy or chemicals.

But a lush green reedbed like this brings other benefit too. It has become its own biodiversity hotspot with over 130 recorded bird species found there, thriving fish populations and water at the end of the process that is clean enough to be recycled for local agricultural use.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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Arabian Oryx reintroduction – Expedition Diary Day 15

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

From their camp on the shore of The Indian Ocean last night, today the Jewel of Arabia team headed inland to Jiddat al-Harasis. A 3000km2 reserve working to protect, breed and reintroduce the Arabian Oryx to Oman.

In Bertram Thomas’s time the Arabian Oryx was fairly widespread. But the Oryx become a prized trophy for hunters. Numbers fell almost to extinction in the wild. A captive breeding programme was started and in April 1984, 11 captive breed Arabian Oryx were reintroduced to the desert of Jiddat al-Harasis.

Through expedition team member Dikra, Mark talks to the Said bin Nasser Al Harsoosi about his role as a ranger and reveals that today the population stands at over 720 individuals.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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It’s snowing plastic – Mission Spiritus – Expedition Diary Day 14

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Mark and the team have had a recharge and wash day at their beach camp on the shoreline about 40 kms north of Duqm where they visit tomorrow.

But this evening they are joined around the beach campfire by Mission Spiritus expedition leader, Alan Chambers. Bertram Thomas wrote that stories start where the road ends and around the fire Mark and Alan share stories about their two expedtions.

After a career in the Royal Marines and a colleague suffering a significant neck and spinal injury, Alan has devoted his life to fundraising for spinal injury research through fairly extreme fundraising expeditions. It was over a coffee in Antarctica watching an eclipse that the idea for Mission Spiritus was born.

Alan describes himself as one of “earth’s gardeners”. Travelling to some of the most remote places on earth and collecting snow, sand, water, ice and rock samples, Mission Spiritus are supporting research into the global spread of micro and nano plastic pollution.

Mark and Alan’s path have crossed as Mission Spiritus are about to head into the Sharqiya sands to collect sand samples.

Find out more about Alan and Missions Spiritus here

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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Green wadis, The British Council and sustainability hackathons – Expedition Diary Day 13

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Today Mark is joined by Scott McDonald, CEO, The British Council and Thomas Lloyd, Country Director Oman, British Council who have both joined the expedition for 48 hours.

Resting under an acacia tree in a wadi that Thomas described as lush, green and over a kilometre wide, Mark , Scott and Thomas talk about the role of The British Council as it celebrates its 90th year, the work it does in Oman, and how it is helping the expedition engage young Omanis to push for a more sustainable world.

Towards the end of the expedition, The British Council is hosting a sustainability hackathon aimed at promoting and supporting young Omanis in start up to continue to drive the sustainable momentum.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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Mangroves on Mahoot Island – Expedition Diary Day 11

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:00:00 +0000

After camping last night at Bar Al Hikmann the expedition team have travelled west to try and cross over to Mahoot island.

Mahoot island has one of the largest mangrove habitats in Oman and is a biodiversity hotspot. The mangroves harbour fish nursery grounds, they provide nesting grounds for birds, some of which are only found on the island, but they also provide coastal storm protection from the monsoons and have 10 times the carbon capture capability of traditional forestry.

But their habitats are decreasing in size.

There is a strong and effective mangrove restoration project being run by the Omani Environment Agency and led by Aziza Al Adhoobi. Mark speak to Aziza about the work being done to protect and restore the mangrove habitats

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Bar al Hikmann wetland reserve – Expedition Diary Day 10

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

The Bar Al Hikmann wetland reserve is an internationally recognised site for migratory birds. Its mudflats have some of the highest densities of shorebirds in the world and it’s geographical position makes a key point on the West Asian – East Africa flyway route for migratory waterbirds.

With its rich biodiversity and local efforts to protect, conserve and record the wetland, this was going to be a key place for the Jewel of Arabia Team to visit.

Mark sits down to talk to Aziza Al Adhoobi who is leading the some of the work to get protected status for the wetlands and while also being heavily involved in the fieldwork around the reserve.

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Masirah Island, silver tipped hawk moths, turtles and hermit crabs – Expedition Diary Day 9

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Day 9 started with an emotional goodbye for the team as Amour and the camels left the expedition as planned. Mark and Amour have done several expeditions together and their goodbyes are always difficult.

Later in the day, the team have travelled over a short sea crossing to Masirah Island, about a third of the way down the Omani coast. Unlike Thomas who was welcomed by the local Sheikh on the mainland, the Jewel of Arabia team were welcomed to Masirah by the local Wali.

Masirah Island is a wildlife hotspot and Mark talks to us from their campsite at the southern tip of the island. The white sandy shoreline, speckled with corals, gives way to rocky upper shore zones which were full of hermit crabs. As the camp torches were switched on at dusk, swarms of silver tipped moths were attracted to the light.

Light pollution is a big issue for the resident loggerhead turtle population and Mark speaks to Juma Al Urami from the Environmental Society Oman about some of the conversation measures they are putting in place to try and stop the population decline of this critically endangered species.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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Saving Oman’s turtles – Expedition Diary Day 8

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 17:00:00 +0000

Oman is home to 5 of the world’s 7 different species of turtle. The coastline provides the ideal beach nesting conditions for turtles, which during the laying season come ashore in vast numbers to lay their eggs in their sand nests.

But like almost all wildlife they are under various threats. Climate change, light pollution and uncontrolled tourism all pose a risk to the resident species.

Mark and the team have reached the Indian Ocean again and soon will travel to Masirah Island, home to several species of turtle. To learn more about the different species, their life cycles and the conservations effort around their protection Mark speaks to Rabab Al Lawati, a conservation and outreach co-ordinator for the Environmental Society of Oman.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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Answering the call to prayer – Expedition Diary Day 7

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 09:10:00 +0000

Last night’s camp was about 8 kms from the coastline, it was much colder than previous night which led to a heavy dew and the whole team waking through the night very wet in their sleeping bags.

But sunrise bought warmth and the desert dawn chorus which (loudly) serenaded them during breakfast.

As they walked today they came across a mosque in the desert. The local caretaker was happy to open it up and show them around. For Amour and Ibrahim this meant they were able to pray in the mosque. But with no call to prayer being sung Amour sings one for them both.

Marks describes the 5 core pillars of Islam for listeners who may not know them and explains the importance of the moon and lunar cycle on the Arabian calendar, which he finds gives him a far greater connection to the moon than he otherwise finds at home in the UK.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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Slow travel in the desert by camel and Land Rover – Expedition Diary Day 6

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 09:05:00 +0000

As the team leave the Sharqyia Sands behind them and continue back towards the Indian Ocean Mark reflects on desert travel.

Thomas referred to the monotony of the days travelling in his book Arabia Felix. Thomas would spend long days in the saddle, sometimes noting in his diary he found himself bored. But for the Jewel of Arabia team slow travel in the desert is anything but boring. Marks describes different patterns in the sand he has observed which give away the changing wildlife – from gerbils to scorpions and snakes.

Desert travel is about using all of your senses to absorb the landscapes around you.

Camels and Land Rovers are the main forms of transport for the team. They have 2 of each. But riding camels in the desert and driving vehicles in the desert take particular skills and Mark describes some of the essential skills, and his admiration for the way Amour reads the sand ahead, for driving through the sand.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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Reconnecting with Thomas’s route – Expedition Diary Day 5

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Mark talks to us as the expedition team stop for lunch and to rest the camels on Day 5 of the expedition. The expedition team are settling into a strong routine now. Mark and Amour are walking and riding the camels, Nigel and Ibrahim have got the overnight camps working really well. Dikra is off working with some young Omanis and Ana-Maria is capturing pictures and film that tell the expedition stories.

After heading inland the team are now on a south south east route to intersect Bertram Thomas’s original route and although this is the desert, it is rich with life. The camera trap continues to show the coming and goings around the camp while the team sleep. Hoopoe Larks sing around them, yesterday they heard a swarm of bees and the camels grunt, spit, burp and digest their grazings.

The weather has a huge impact on desert life. Marks refers to Thomas’s diary where he observed that many of the coastal Bedouin communities moved inland during the summer months when the winds made fishing at sea too dangerous. But the winds bring moisture which makes the desert green and full of life and rich harvests.

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Underwater Oman, Jinn and 1,000 night camp – Expedition Diary Day 4

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

After a cold night in their desert camp the team woke up to a covering of dew on their sleeping bags. Today is the start of their trek into the Sharqiya Sands and the team are joined by students and staff from the British School Muscat for part of their walk.

Mark talks to his old friend Jonathan Turner while he walks. Jonathan runs a commercial dive business in Oman and describes the beauty of Oman’s underwater world to Mark.

The end of today see’s the team arrive at 1,000 night camp. A luxury campsite deep into the desert. Today it’s run by Wisal Al-Harthi, who talks to Mark about the values of the camp, her passion for sustainability and responsible tourism in a fragile and hostile environment like the desert.

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The first all-terrain wheelchair in The Middle East – Expedition Diary Day 3

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

After a reception from local leaders at Jalan fort earlier today, Mark and the team made quick progress into the Sharqiya Sands, formerly the Wabhiba Sands, to meet up with a group of students and staff from Outward Bound Oman.

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition has strong links with Outward Bound Oman, which since it first opened in 2009 has trained over 30,000 young people. Mark sits down in conversation with acting Executive Director Mohamed Al Zadjali to find out about the impact of the organisation on young Omanis and how it is adapting to a sustainable future.

One of the legacy projects of the expedition is the delivery of a brand new all-terrain wheelchair that will enable people of all abilities to go on courses and expeditions at the various field centres run by Outward Bound Oman. Today is the day it arrives with students for the first time.

This isn’t just a first for Oman, this is the first all terrain wheelchair in The Middle East.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

Arabian red foxes, camels and sandstorms – Expedition Diary Day 2

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Overnight Mark is setting a camera trap to see the wildlife that comes near to the team camp. Despite last night sandstorm, the camera has picked up several different animals in its lens.

The wind and driving sand have been the big factors of todays journey, so this update comes from the shelter of one of the expedition Land Rovers. One of which was provided by an expedition sponsor and the other is Mark’s own beloved 110 Defender.

Today Mark walked with expedition photographer Ana-Maria Pavalache and he describes how they were introduced, what inspires him about her incredible photography and the way she is able to capture desert stories through her lens.

Looking ahead, tonight the team are camped about 10 kms from Jalan Bani Buali which they will visit tomorrow before heading further inland.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

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Sunrise on the Indian Ocean - Expedition Diary Day 1

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the start of The Jewel of Arabia Expedition. With the Indian ocean lapping at their feet, Mark and the team have gathered on the very beach that Bertram Thomas landed on at the start of his expedition.

After a busy day of logistics and packing yesterday, today is the day the team start their journey, and Mark talks to us just as the sun rises about what lies ahead. Already Oman’s beautiful biodiversity is on display with birdlife surrounding them.

After 8 hours of travelling, they arrive at a small Bedouin community. It has been a tough first day navigating watercourses, keeping camels out of quicksand and getting spiked by what Thomas described as jungles of Acacia trees.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

In the footsteps of Bertram Thomas to Arabia Felix

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Like many explorers Bertram Thomas OBE fell in love with Arabia and its great empty spaces. Awarded the Livingstone Medal by The Royal Scottish Geographical Society and the Founders Medal by the Royal Geographical Society he was the desert explorer that nobody had really heard about.

In 1928 Thomas travelled south down the coast of Oman along a route that joined up sites of rich biodiversity and the unique flora and fauna of this Arab nation. Thomas built a relationship with the people and communities he passed through.

In this podcast you will hear how, using Thomas’s original diary as their guide and inspiration, Mark Evans and his team will retrace this route. They’ll explore the rich biodiversity and beauty of Oman, and the people working to protect it.

Like Thomas before them, The Jewel of Arabia Expedition will form relationships and tell the stories of the people they meet. The people who are navigating Oman into a greener and more sustainable future in the face of the climate emergency.

Leaving on 6th January from Ras al Hadd, join the Jewel of Arabia Expedition around the campfire for daily podcast updates and follow them in the footsteps of Bertram Thomas.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

Launching The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000

Join expedition leader, Mark Evans at the Royal Geographical Society in London for the launch of The Jewel of Arabia Expedition.

In the presence of, and hearing from expedition co- patrons His Royal Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham, and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales this 30-day journey on foot, by camel and 4x4 retracing the 1928 journey of British Explorer Bertram Thomas will celebrate Oman’s rich biodiversity and shine a spotlight on young Omani’s working in the green arena.

Starting on 6th January 2025 you can join the expedition team as they set off near Ras al Hadd, the Eastern most point of the arab speaking world and share their journey traveling down the coast to the southern city of Salalah through this podcast which tells stories of people, place, and culture and innovation in this unique country.

Find out more by visiting the Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

Omani food-a fusion of cultures

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 09:00:00 +0000

On an extended journey in a remote location food becomes an increasingly important part of each day; for Bertram Thomas in 1928 this included fish-eyes, dates, dried shark, flour and locusts. In this podcast we learn from Omani food expert Dina Macki about the key influences on Oman cuisine today, how that might change as we head southward along the coast of Oman, and, if given the chance, what Omani dish Dina would serve up for our VIP expeditions Patrons!

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

The most studied desert on earth?

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:35:00 +0000

A conversation with long-time friend of Oman, the inspirational Nigel Winser. In the mid-1980s, as deputy director of The Royal Geographical Society in London Nigel led The Wahiba Sands Project, a multiyear multidisciplinary study of what are today known as the Sharqiyah Sands in Oman.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

Something unique is found in the coastal waters of Oman

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:30:00 +0000

Oman is unique in so many ways. Several decades of research have shown that there is something very different about Oman’s humpback whales, in that they do not migrate from cool to warm waters each year, but instead remain in the Arabian sea where the monsoon moves the cooler waters to them for several months each year. Oman’s coastline was once home to great numbers of whales; records show that in the 1960’s Soviet Whalers killed at least 242 animals, but what is their status today? Executive Director of The Environment Society of Oman, and a recent recipient of National Geographic’s Wayfinder Award, Suaad Al Harthy tells us the story ….

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

Visit the Environment Society of Oman

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

What weighs 75kg, is like a mountain goat, but with large horns and a big beard?

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:25:00 +0000

Taimur Al Said, wildlife biologist in Oman’s Environment Authority just loves what he does. Armed with a Masters Degree from Durham University, Taimur is Oman’s expert on the endangered Nubian Ibex and likes nothing more than getting down and dusty in the desert, putting out camera traps and radio collars that enable him to monitor the behaviour of this incredible animal from a distance.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

From Madagascar to Muscat-the amazing Sooty Falcon

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:20:00 +0000

One of the most incredible stories of bird migration is that of the Sooty Falcon. Wintering on the island of Madagascar, each spring the falcons make the long journey up the east coast of Africa, then head east along the southern coast of Arabia, settling to breed each summer on the rocky islands off the coast of Oman. Here they’ll probably meet Waheed Al Fazari, an Omani biodiversity researcher who make it his mission to monitor this incredible bird.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

More precious than gold or oil? The story and future of Frankincense

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:15:00 +0000

Dr Laila Al Harthy is a senior botanist at Oman’s Botanical Gardens, and is the authority on Frankincense, a tree that grows in the mountains of Dhofar in southern Oman. Once upon a time the sap of the Frankincense tree was much sought after; camel trains and dhows would carry the hardened sap to the markets of Damascus, Alexandria and Istanbul. Today is it much sought after by tourists, and a key ingredient of Oman’s luxury Amouage perfume … but what about the future?

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

44:01; Omani innovation in action!

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:10:00 +0000

In 2022, Talal Hasan, founder and carbon general of 44:01 was a proud winner of a coveted Earthshot prize. Listen to his story of how an idea born in Oman took shape and grew into a reality that earned global recognition ... another story of innovation from the Sultanate.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

Learn more about 44:01

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

Oman: a global green energy hub?

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:05:00 +0000

For decades, like many countries in the region the Oman economy has been heavily dependent on income from oil and gas. With a target of achieving net zero by 2050, the transition to a renewable and sustainable future is underway; Oman has set itself the challenge of becoming a global green energy hub, and a regional and world leader in the production of green hydrogen, a journey overseen by inspirational individuals such as Dr Firas Al Abduwani.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio

Welcome to The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Come and join explorer and adventurer Mark Evans around the campfire on The Jewel of Arabia Expedition as we follow the route taken by British explorer Bertram Thomas in 1928 from Ras Al Hadd, the most easterly point of the Arab world, along the coast to Salalah, the second largest city in Oman as we meet and talk to the young Omani’s transitioning Oman into a sustainable global green energy hub.

From ancient turtle nesting grounds to internationally recognised migration pitstops for thousands of wading birds. From Earthshot prize winning carbon capture innovation to the world’s only non-migratory population of humpbacked whales, from frankincense groves to a future of green hydrogen and amazing raptor restaurants Oman is awash with stories waiting to be told.

Expedition website: The Jewel of Arabia Expedition

The Jewel of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio