Darwin 200 Expedition

 

 

Today is the homestretch of the six month homestretch of the Darwin 200 Expedition. Slated to reach Falmouth, England on July 20th, the HMS Beagle set sail in 2023, hitting a number of stops that have been retracing the steps of Charles Darwin on a global sailboat venture that he did during his life. While it includes a number of other stops, the interesting thing about this expedition is the engagement of young people to get fieldwork experience and take part in yet another chapter in the life and adventures of Mr. Darwin. 

More can be found below:

 https://darwin200.com/

Happy New Year!

 Welcome to 2025! 

I don't know about you, but 2025 promises to be a fantastic year, filled with adventures. Below are a few highlights that I am looking forward to:

- Completing two archaeology expeditions

- Complete the Taji 100 in February 

- Receive my Master's in History

- Spend time with friends and family, and enjoy personal travel

While we have (a LOT) of challenges facing the current world, I am hopeful - if nothing else, I have no choice but to be. Wherever you are or wherever your travels take you, I wish you a safe, happy, and healthy 2025. If you ever want to grab a drink on Zoom, or if you're ever in my neck of the woods and want to grab one in person, don't hesitate to drop me a line. Cheers!

Update: Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243

 

Yesterday, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243, an Embraer ERJ-190, crashed at an airport in Aktau, Kazakhstan while attempting an emergency landing. The flight was enroute from Baku, Azerbaijan to Grozny, Russia but diverted to Aktau due to weather. It was during this diversion that the plane allegedly experienced some sort of casualty and issues with their GPS system, which prompted the emergency landing. There were 29 survivors.

Now, we are learning of a potentially non-mechanical cause. Today, Azerbaijani media reported that shrapnel from a Russian missile defense system struck the plane and that an electronic warfare system jammed the plane’s communication systems before the crash.

Why is this important? For those of us that travel internationally, we have to be aware of things like this. If this was found to be intentional, then it may be one more example of bad actors attempting to destabilize the region and cause global fear and panic. I’d like to expand on this more in the future. 

A link to a great write-up by Airways Magazine is below:

https://www.airwaysmag.com/new-post/azerbaijan-officials-crash-russian-defense?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1yJthvGIPULJzvTC4vo_TB5O9_lbWQ1sssYCYxWBM5Tj4I7fqa8jb_paM_aem_qWspkGOjLa9V2Xet8Yf-1w

Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243

Happy Holidays. Tragic news out of Eastern Europe on Christmas morning. Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243, an Embraer ERJ-190, crashed at an airport in Aktau, Kazakhstan while attempting an emergency landing. The flight was enroute from Baku, Azerbaijan to Grozny, Russia but diverted to Aktau due to weather. It was during this diversion that the plane allegedly experienced a bird strike and issues with their GPS system, which prompted the emergency. The plane is said to have struck the ground nearly 2 miles from the runway. There are differing reports on the numbers onboard and the number of survivors; of the 65-75 onboard there are supposedly around 25 survivors. When updates are given I will post about them.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjwl1e6895qo.amp

The World's Toughest Row - Atlantic Features History in the Making

 

Tomorrow,  40 teams of 116 rowers from 16 countries will embark on a journey that promises to be a tremendous test of their strength and fortitude. The World's Toughest Row-Atlantic will take competitors on a 3,000 challenge from Tenerife to Antigua.

Of particular note is the entry of Ananya Prasad, an Indian-born graduate student living in the United Kingdom. She is rowing to bring awareness to mental health issues, which is something that needs more attention than the world gives it. Additionally, Ananya intends to be the first woman of color to row solo and unsupported across any ocean. 

Best of luck to Ananya and all the competitors! 

You can find more about Ananya and her journey to this competition below:

https://atlanticodyssey.net/

First Light Delivery, with Cole Brauer and Elizabeth Tucker

 

 

This morning, I received word of a "fantastic voyage" getting underway today. Cole Brauer and Elizabeth Tucker set sail from Spain to deliver the First Light, a 27.92 meter (91.7 feet) sailboat to Australia, where it will now be berthed. The First Light has special significance for Cole, as this is the boat that she made history on, becoming the first American woman to sail single-handedly around the world, nonstop and unassisted during the 2023-2024 Global Solo Challenge.

Elizabeth Tucker is certainly one to watch, as there is no doubt that her own star is on the rise. In 2023, she left her corporate job to pursue her dream of completing the Global Solo Challenge herself. She is pretty new to the sport of Sailing, but has done well enough to compete in a number of high-profile races such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. She is training to complete the 2027 GSC and while this writer is pretty new to the sport of sailing himself, he has a high degree of confidence in her ability to be a trailblazer in 2027 and beyond. 

 

The trip is expected to take 2-2.5 months, which will include a stop in South Africa for the Christmas Holiday. 

You can follow their journey here:

 

https://cf.yb.tl/zaoceanracing?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYUurf1NhBYaUCves8wjep7THdin9IfI_MCWCKyPyfJ4GiSfU5y3Q9T-fc_aem_tGKTy7P2_oQKjhZSKqswaw

Additionally, you can learn more about Cole and Elizabeth below:

 

https://www.instagram.com/colebraueroceanracing/

https://zaoceanracing.com/

Jewel of Arabia Expedition

 

Two years ago, the team of Mark Evans, MBE, Ana-Maria Pavalache, Alan Morrissey, and Reem Philby set out for the first stage of their  Heart of Arabia expedition. The two-stage, 1,300km trek across Saudi Arabia is loosely following the steps of Harry St John Philby's 1917 mission to Ibn Saud. The team is utilized walking, camels, and 4x4 vehicles.

Two years later, on December 2nd 2024, Mr. Evans and Ms. Pavalache are joined by Dhikra Al Mawali, Nigel Harling, Amour Al Wahibi, and Ibrahim Al Hasni for the Jewel of Arabia expedition. This 30-day journey is is pretty damned cool: It will retrace the steps of the 1928 Oman expedition by Bertram Thomas, who was an explorer, scientist, and diplomat. 

Using camels, 4x4 vehicles and Mr. Thomas' notes, the team will retrace the original journey and bring attention to some of the history and biodiversity of the country, with the end goal of helping Oman to have a more sustainable future. As a nod to just how bloody cool this expedition will be, two special guests will be on hand for the launch:  His Royal Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth in Oman, and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. You read that right - Prince Harry will be there.

This one is definitely worth watching. It would be neat to do some sort of desert expedition someday, so I will be paying attention. 

There is a link above about how to watch along and learn about the expedition, and the talented team working to make it happen.