Episode 43

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Published on:

23rd 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.

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About the Podcast

Heart of Arabia Expedition

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.

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.

About your hosts

Mark Evans

Mark Evans MBE He has lived in Arabia for nearly 25 years.

In 2005 Mark was cited by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth as a Pioneer of the Nation for his work in outdoor education, and in 2012 was awarded the MBE for his work in using the deserts of Arabia as a vehicle for intercultural dialogue and peacebuilding. Mark is an International Fellow of The Explorers Club of New York, a Fellow of The Royal Geographical Society in London and an Honorary Fellow of The Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

40 years of expeditions include a 24-day parachute assisted crossing of the Greenland Ice Cap and a solo 55-day kayak journey along the coastline of Oman from Musandam to Yemen. In 2016 Mark, with two Omani companions became the first European in 85 years to retrace the first crossing of the largest sand desert on earth, the Empty Quarter, a journey of 49 days on foot and by camel. In 2019 Mark was awarded The Geographical Award by The Royal Geographical Society in London, and The Rawabi Award by The Saudi British Society in the UK for his work promoting a greater understanding of Saudi Arabia.

Joining Mark on The Heart of Arabia Expedition are team members Explorer Reem Philby, Expedition Photographer Ana-Maria Pavalache, Expedition Logistics Expert Alan Morrissey. You will hear from them all in these podcasts.

Adventurous Audio

The creative partnership behind Adventurous Audio is Pennie Latin Stuart and Dan Holland. We worked together as a team at the BBC for years—45 between us—producing an insane range of content, covering every conceivable topic from comedy to hard-hitting documentaries, food, the arts, science, music, sport and outside broadcasts, for just about every audio corner of the BBC - BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Scotland, Radio 4, Radio 3 and Radio 2.