Tag: History

The ocean, an iceberg, rocky headland, and a snow-covered mountain.

Frozen Realms

December 27, 2021

Fierce winds, extreme cold, and terrain with uncompromising hostility are a few of the characteristics of Earth’s frozen realms. Whether at sea level among the icebergs of the world’s emptiest continent or thousands of metres up the sky-scraping peaks of our planet’s highest mountain range, the bitterness of conditions that can be found in lands of snow and ice are unrivalled. Despite this there are still some brave souls who are prepared to venture forward in pursuit of something special, be it a personal goal, a scientific objective, or a divine destiny. This article considers two superb books about two uncommon men who engaged in feats of such immense challenge it beggars belief. Although the stories took place several decades apart and under very different circumstances, once known neither is easily forgotten. The men featured in them were not only inspiring leaders of others but also complete masters of themselves. … More Frozen Realms

A single tree on the African plains in front of a dramatic orange sunset.

African Adventures

November 30, 2021

Africa is the second biggest continent on the planet and home to an almost incomprehensible number of wonders. It has played host to some of the most time-honoured civilizations in history and is reputed to have been the birthplace of modern humans. However, until a relatively short time ago it was often thought of as a mysterious and largely unknown part of the world. Foreign explorers and geographers argued with each other about what may lie at its heart and a multitude of expeditions were launched to uncover whatever secrets their leaders imagined existed. Sadly, Africa has also been victim to some of the most heinous crimes and human rights abuses that we have ever inflicted on each other. Colonialism, genocide, and slavery have wreaked havoc on the continent over the centuries. Without any doubt, it is the people of Africa that have always had the worst of it, but others have suffered too. … More African Adventures

A male explorer with a backpack heading into the deep jungle.

The Call of the Jungle

October 31, 2021

Jungles are some of the wildest and most remote places on the planet. Dense and often impenetrable, they are perfect hiding places. They have lured many an explorer or adventurer into their lethal green embrace, whether it be the with the possibility of discovering new species or the promise of finding abandoned ruins. The lucky ones make it out alive but others are never seen or heard from again. The big green hell contains a mind-boggling number of challenges and hazards. The terrain can be so difficult to traverse that progress is agonizingly slow and tropical downpours can completely alter the landscape, making navigation even tougher. Then there is the wildlife; big cats stalk their prey through the undergrowth while insects infect their victims with bacteria and disease. To be prepared to take on all that one has to be incredibly brave or somewhat stupid. Either way, there are many who have. … More The Call of the Jungle

Two of Bagan's ancient stone monuments set against a stunning blue sky.

Humanity’s Legacy

September 30, 2021

The individual journeys we make during our own time on Earth are relatively short when compared to the seemingly infinite path our species has been on over the millennia. Spread across the globe are outstanding monumental remains of various civilizations that attest to this. The perennial targets of past and present explorers, they emit a curious call to travellers from all over the world. Having withstood the ravages of time, they hint at the knowledge and skills of our ancestors, and serve as a powerful, mysterious, and thought-provoking testament to our collective human history. Representing some of the best examples of what we can produce, these special sites and ruins are gatekeepers of our legacy. Every time one of them disappears another link that connect us to the secrets of humanity’s past is broken. Although ancient, they seem to beckon with the promise of future adventure. … More Humanity’s Legacy

The large vermillion entrance gate of Udo Shrine in Miyazaki Japan, set against a blue sky.

Calderas, Shrines & Mythology

May 29, 2021

As the Olympics draw ever closer, we continue our quest to introduce readers to some less frequented parts of Japan and to a few adventurous experiences that can’t be found in the world’s largest city. Tokyo has its merits but the Japanese provinces possess a different kind of richness that can be more endearing. Far away from the seething masses of the big cities, and seemingly even further removed in terms of pace of life, Kyushu’s countryside exudes a certain organised purity. Public transport is reliable and even the smallest of villages has a post office but the air smells more wholesome, the water is cleaner, and the food tastier. The colour green dominates, forcing grey concrete to take a distant second place to nature in more ways than one. There is an idyllic existence to be found in these parts, but it comes hand in hand with a sense of impermanence. … More Calderas, Shrines & Mythology

Pyramid-shaped temple situated on the plains of Bagan, Myanmar.

Sources of Inspiration – Natural & Built Heritage

March 28, 2021

Heritage can be described as anything that has been left to us, whether intentionally or not, by our predecessors or by the past. It can be quite local and might only seem relevant to particular groups, cultures, or communities. However, as it all represents some aspect of humanity or the planet we share, we are all the receivers of this legacy. We may even think of it as a global inheritance that encompasses a broad range of items and concepts—archaeological remains, works of art, landscapes, habitats, traditions, customs, value systems, and much more. Differentiations are often made between types of heritage, like the ‘tangible’ and ‘intangible’ varieties. Other examples include ‘natural’ vs ‘cultural’ and ‘movable’ vs ‘immovable’ heritage. Regardless of its classification, the protection and conservation of all of it is of the utmost importance. … More Sources of Inspiration – Natural & Built Heritage

Open pages of a large book highlighted by a shaft of light representing wisdom, knowledge, learning, and enlightenment.

Sources of Inspiration – Adventure Stories

February 28, 2021

The need for escapism has been a constant throughout all ages of recorded human history. Adventure stories cater to this by serving as vehicles that allow us to make enjoyable mental forays into the mysterious and exciting unknown. Some of the oldest myths and folk tales we are aware of have been passed down over centuries, or in some cases millennia. One can imagine the children of Ancient Egypt listening to elders recount the myth of Osiris, or gazing at the stars while attempting to trace the sun god Ra making his perilous nightly journey through the realm of the dead. Who hasn’t heard of Homer’s epic Greek adventure poem The Odyssey, such a significant piece of storytelling that it can still be found in book stores throughout the world today. There are many more surviving examples from antiquity that have endured in one form or another. … More Sources of Inspiration – Adventure Stories