The Heart of Arabia Expedition is a two-stage 1,300km journey across Saudi Arabia, loosely following the route of the explorer Harry St John (Abdullah) Philby. Just as Philby did on his travels across Arabia, The Heart of Arabia Expedition will gather primary field data, supporting three specific areas of research. Our podcasts will enable you to follow our progress, learn about the endeavours and achievements of the explorer Philby, and discover the extraordinary beauty and diversity of Arabia.
In the final days and nights of the Heart of Arabia Expedition the team, and Philby, faced some of the hardest terrain of both their expeditions. Vast open expanses of desert dunes followed by the ancient volcanic fields of harat.
As Mark, Reem, Ana-Maria and Alan get closer to their goal of Jeddah, their minds are drawn to the Red sea coast, but it also gives them time to reflect on the connection they have felt to nature and to Philby during their time crossing Saudi Arabia.
But, as Mark knows only too well from previous expeditions, they must keep their focus on the day to day because just like Philby before them, illness and fatigue strikes the team again.
After spending Christmas in Taif and skirting Mecca, Mark fulfils one of the main expedition ambitions, to journey with purpose, when he visits the Jeddah Prep and Grammar School to hear how the pupils there have been following the expedition and enriching their lessons across the curriculum.
Having arrived in Jeddah and dipped their toes into the sea, there is a reception from the British Consulate with a congratulatory note from the expedition patron, HRH The Princess Royal.
After all the celebration is done, each member of the Heart of Arabia Expedition team sit down and reflect on what it has meant to them to follow in the footsteps of the greatest of Arabian explorers.
Philby left a remarkable legacy. The legacy of The Heart of Arabia Expedition is only just beginning. Follow the social links below and keep an eye on the website for news about forthcoming lectures, exhibitions and conferences in the UK, Saudi Arabia and the USA in the coming months.
Expedition website: The Heart of Arabia Expedition
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The Heart of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio
6 Apr 2023
The Pilgrim Road
Re-join Mark and The Heart of Arabia Expedition Team at the ancient site of Old Diriyah, the birthplace of the first Saudi state, historical crossroads of pilgrims and traders. It is also where Philby left Riyadh behind and followed the Pilgram Road west to Jeddah.
The terrain, climate and geology of the second leg of the expedition are very different to the first leg in the eastern deserts and Empty Quarter and this brings with it different challenges for the team. But their connection to Philby continues to grow and Mark immerses himself in Philby’s writing as they travel.
For his original Heart of Arabia Expedition Philby was awarded the Royal Geographical Society’s Founders Medal in recognition of the field data he returned to London. Today’s RGS President, Nigel Clifford explains how significant a contribution to our understanding of Arabia’s geography Philby made.
And finally Mark explains why the whole team - Reem, Ana, Alan and himself - spent several hours walking in circles looking like policemen!
Expedition website: The Heart of Arabia Expedition
Follow the Expedition on social:
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook
The Heart of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio
23 Mar 2023
The Eastern desert and Riyadh
Just like Philby, the Heart of Arabia Expedition used camels for some of their journey. In the eastern deserts of Saudi Arabia, Mark introduces us to their camels and explores the role the camel has played in Arab history and culture with their guide from the Camel Club of Saudi Arabia.
As the expedition moves west towards their goal of Riyadh in the camel pad prints of Philby’s caravan, Mark considers his life as an explorer and what drives him to be constantly curious about our world, it’s people and cultures. Drawing on his own resilience and comparing himself to other great leaders he questions what makes us resilient. To answer this, leadership expert Jo Owen provides us with insight into how resilience has evolved with time and is a reflection of our society today.
Philby was aiming for Riyadh. His ambition was to meet Ibn Saud and convince him he had the authority and power to bring the various warring tribes together under him and form a new nation. As Mark and the team arrive at the ancient city walls of the Masmak Palace, Philby’s grandson, Mike Engelbach and the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the UK HRH Prince Khalid Bin Bandar explain how the meeting between these two great men developed.
Expedition website: The Heart of Arabia Expedition
Follow the Expedition on social:
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook
The Heart of Arabia Expedition podcast is produced by Adventurous Audio
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