An oasis within an oasis

Oman 3165 Expedition update considering events in the Middle East

Because of recent events in the Middle East, Mark updates us on the Oman 3165 Expedition and why it has had to be paused until Winter 2027. Safely back in the UK there is still lots of work to be done though. One of those is to start analysing the enormous of data the expedition has already gathered. In this podcast Mark has headed over to the Sea Mammal Research Unit at the University of St. Andrews to speak to Dr Gill Braulik about her research into marine acoustics studying the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin. He has taken with him over 120 hours of audio recordings captured from the hydrophone he has being towing behind the Oman 3165 kayak. They talk about the advantages of travelling close into the shore by kayak can bring for a study like this and the expected field of range that Gill would be expecting to hear any marine mammals in the waters surrounding Mark and his Kayak. They are joined by Shalya Lyons who is doing a Masters degree in Animal Behaviour at the SMU and is studying the hydrophone recordings to create population distribution map of the dolphins along the coastline. Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165 [https://oman3165.com/] The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous Audio [https://www.adventurousaudio.co.uk/] Sandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

A living legend in Oman’s climate community – meet Aisha Al-Balushi

Meet Aisha Al-Balushi: activist, educator and environmental impact officer Asyad Container Terminal’s Environmental Officer Aisha Al-Balushi shares her passion for helping the shipping industry and other organisations to make more sustainable decisions and choices. Her passion for the environment was formed in childhood in Oman where she was lucky enough to grow up with a strong connection to nature and landscape, a connection which has helped shaped her expertise and now her career with Asyad Shipping. Mark joins Aisha in a café in Duqm, near where she works at the container port. She shares her vision for the importance of Duqm as a major hub for focussing on the environmental side of shipping. For Aisha the port at Duqm is perfectly placed to play a key role in developing a greener future for Oman. Aisha’s love and interest in the environment extends beyond her role at work, she’s also a climate activist, volunteering as a teacher, educator and facilitator with the NGO Climate Fresk. Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165 [https://oman3165.com/] The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous Audio [https://www.adventurousaudio.co.uk/] Sandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

Back on the water, back on the move with an old friend

Now the unseasonally bad weather has abated, Mark is back on the water again and continuing south west towards the port of Duqm which is about 3 days paddling away. He is joined on the expedition now by his old friend, and logistics wizard, Alan Morrissey. Alan joins Mark fresh from an expedition through the vast empty quarter and supporting Alice Morrison to be the world’s first walking explorer to cross Saudi Arabia from north to south. Alan has spent nearly 30 years in Arabia and is passionate about life and travel in the desert. He supports expeditions and people wanting to travel and explore the deserts of Arabia. Mark and Alan reflect on their previous Heart of Arabia expedition [https://podfollow.com/heart-of-arabia-expedition], his recent travels with Alice and their mutual love of Arabia while looking forward to the next stage of the Oman 3165 expedition. Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165 [https://oman3165.com/] The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous Audio [https://www.adventurousaudio.co.uk/] Sandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

Rain stops play! An opportunity to explore Oman’s maritime heritage with Captain Khalil bin Ali Al Hooti

Oman has been hit by unusually heavy rainfall and high winds so, while Mark waits patiently for the weather to allow him to pick up the journey where he left off at Bar Al Hikman, he takes the opportunity to catch up with Captain Khalil bin Ali Al Hooti, Vice President of Asyad Shipping [https://asyadshipping.com/]. Captain Khalil shares his thoughts on Oman’s rich maritime heritage and how its location has helped to shape the country and its people. In particular, he talks about how the relationship to the ocean has shaped not just commerce but identity, turning Oman into a community which looks outward, where sharing and curiosity is woven through the culture. As a result, Omani people not only welcome the stories of others when they arrive on its shores but are inspired to continually expand their horizons through exploration by sea. Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165 [https://oman3165.com/] The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous Audio [https://www.adventurousaudio.co.uk/] Sandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence

An oasis within an oasis

Having reached the south west corner of Bar Al Hikman, a site of international importance for migrating and wintering wading birds, Mark catches up once again with Jonathan Turner, CEO of Masirah Marine, a font of knowledge regarding anything to do with Oman’s marine environment and maritime heritage to find out more about what makes the area so unique. Discover more about the expedition and track Mark at Oman 3165 [https://oman3165.com/] The Oman 3165 podcast is produced in Scotland by Adventurous Audio [https://www.adventurousaudio.co.uk/] Sandwich Tern recorded by David Darrell-Lambert and used with permission under Creative Commons licence